CHINKIE'S FLAT AND OTHER STORIES

By Louis Becke

Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company 1904

 TO MY DEAR OLD COMRADES

 North Queensland. 

 December, 1908

CHAPTER I ~ "CHINKIE'S FLAT"

"Chinkie's Flat, " In its decadence, was generally spoken of, by thepassing traveller, as a "God-forsaken hole, " and it certainly didpresent a repellent appearance when seen for the first time, gaspingunder the torrid rays of a North Queensland sun, which had dried upevery green thing except the silver-leaved ironbarks, and the long, sinuous line of she-oaks which denoted the course of Connolly's Creek onwhich it stood. 

"The township" was one of the usual Queensland mining type, a dozenor so of bark-roofed humpies, a public-house with the title of "TheDigger's Best, " a blacksmith's forge, and a quartz-crushing battery. 

The battery at Chinkie's Flat stood apart from the "township" on alittle rise overlooking the yellow sands of Connolly's Creek, fromwhence it derived its water supply--when there happened to be any waterin that part of the creek. The building which covered the antiquatedfive-stamper battery, boiler, engine, and tanks, was merely a huge roofof bark supported on untrimmed posts of brigalow and swamp gum, but rudeas was the structure, the miners at Chinkie's Flat, and other camps inthe vicinity, had once been distinctly proud of their battery, whichpossessed the high-sounding title of "The Ever Victorious, " and hadachieved fame by having in the "good times" of the Flat yielded acertain Peter Finnerty two thousand ounces of gold from a hundred tonsof alluvial. The then owner of the battery was an intelligent, butbibulous ex-marine engineer, who had served with Gordon in China, and when he erected the structure he formally christened it "The EverVictorious, " in memory of Gordon's army, which stamped out the Taepingrebellion. 

The first crushing put through was Finnerty's, and when the "clean-up"was over, and the hundreds of silvery balls of amalgam placed in theretorts turned out over one hundred and sixty-six pounds' weightof bright yellow gold, Chinkie's Flat went wild with excitement andspirituous refreshment. 

In less than three months there were over five hundred diggers on thefield, and the "Ever Victorious" banged and pounded away night and day, the rattle and clang of the stamps only ceasing at midnight on Saturday, and remaining silent till midnight on Sunday, the Sabbath being devoted"to cleaning-up, " retorting the amalgam, and overhauling and repairingthe machinery, and for relaxation, organising riding parties of twentyor thirty, and chasing Chinamen, of whom there were over three hundredwithin a radius of twenty miles. 

The rich alluvial of Chinkie's Flat had, as a matter of fact, been firstdiscovered by a number of Chinese diggers, who were each getting fromfive to ten ounces of gold per day, when they were discovered by theaforesaid Peter Finnerty, who was out prospecting with a couple ofmates. Their indignation that a lot of heathen "Chows" should bescooping up gold so easily, while they, Christians and legitimateminers, should be toiling over the barren ridges day after day withoutstriking anything, was so great that for the moment, as they sat ontheir horses and viewed the swarming Chinese working their cradleson the bank of the creek, the power of speech deserted them. Hastilyturning their tired horses' heads, they rode as hard as they could tothe nearest mining camp, and on the following day thirty hairy-facedforeign-devils came charging into the Chinese camp, uttering fearfulthreats, and shooting right and left (with blank cartridges). TheChinese broke and fled, and in half an hour each of the thirty menhad pegged out a claim, and Chinkie's Flat became famous as one of therichest, though smallest, alluvial diggings in the Far North. 

Three months after the "discovery" of the field by Mr. Peter Finnerty, old "Taeping, " as Gordon's ex-marine engineer had been promptlynicknamed, arrived with his crushing battery, and then indeed werehalcyon days for the Flat. From early morn till long past midnight, thelittle bar of the "Digger's Best" was crowded with diggers, packhorsemenand teamsters; a police trooper arrived and fixed his tent on the ridgeoverlooking the creek, and then--the very zenith of prosperity--a bankofficial followed, and a stately building, composed of a dozen sheets ofbark for a roof, and floor sacks for the sides, was erected and openedfor business on the same day, amid much rejoicing and a large amountof liquid refreshment dispensed by the landlord of the "hotel" at ashilling per nobbler. 

For six months longer all went well: more alluvial patches werediscovered in the surrounding country, and then several rich reefs werefound a mile away from the Flat, and every day new men arrived fromCooktown to the north, and Brisbane, Sydney, and far New Zealand to thesouth. Three new "hotels" sprang up; the police force was increased byanother trooper and two black trackers, who rode superciliously aroundthe camp, carbines on thighs, in their dark blue uniforms with scarletfacings, and condescended to drink with even the humblest white man; andthen came the added glory of the "Chinkie's Flat Gold Escort"--when apolice van with an Irish sergeant, two white troopers, and eight blackpolice rattled through the camp, and pulled up at the bank, which nowhad a corrugated iron roof, a proper door, and two windows, and (themanager's own private property) a tin shower bath suspended by a cordunder the verandah, a seltzogene, and a hen with seven chickens. Themanager himself was a young sporting gentleman of parts, and his effortsto provide Sunday recreation for his clients were duly appreciated--hewas secretary of the Chinkie's Flat Racing Club (meeting every alternateSunday), and he and old "Taeping" between them owned a dozen of kangaroodogs, which lived on the community generally, and afforded much excitingsport every Saturday, either in hunting kangaroos or Chinamen, both ofwhich were plentiful in the vicinity. 

For although Peter Finnerty and his party had succeeded in driving awaythe heathen from the Flat itself, the continued further discoveries ofrich alluvial had brought them swarming into the district from all theother gold-fields in the colony in such numbers that it was impossibleto keep the almond-eyed mining locusts out, especially as the Governmentwas disposed to give them a measure of protection--not from anyunnatural sentiment, but purely because they were revenue producers, andthe Government badly wanted money. Then, too, their camps were so large, and so many of them were armed, and disposed to fight when in a corner, that the breaking up of a "Chows' Camp" became more and more difficult, and in the end the white diggers had to be content with surprisingoutlying prospecting parties, chasing them with kangaroo dogs back totheir main camp, and burning their huts and mining gear, after firstmaking a careful search for gold, concealed under the earthen floor, oramong their ill-smelling personal effects. Sometimes they were rewarded, sometimes not, but in either case they were satisfied that they weredoing their duty to Queensland and themselves by harrying the heathenwho raged so furiously, and were robbing the country of its gold. 

Then, after old "Taeping" had succumbed to too much "Digger's Rest, " andFinnerty--now Peter Grattan Finnerty, Esq. , Member of the LegislativeAssembly of Queensland--had left the Flat and become the champion of the"struggling white miner" in the House at a salary of £300 a year, camebad times, for the alluvial became worked out; and in parties of twosand threes the old hands began to leave, heading westward across thearid desert towards the Gilbert and the Etheridge Rivers, dying ofthirst or under the spears of the blacks by the way, but ever heedlessof what was before when the allurements and potentialities of a newfield lay beyond the shimmering haze of the sandy horizon. 

Then, as the miners left, the few "cockatoo" settlers followed them, or shifted in nearer to the town on the sea-coast with their horse andbullock teams, and an ominous silence began to fall upon the Flat whenthe tinkle of the cattle bells no longer was heard among the dark fringeof sighing she-oaks bordering the creek. As day by day the quietudedeepened, the parrots and pheasants and squatter pigeons flew in andabout the Leichhardt trees at the foot of the bluff, and wild duck atdusk came splashing into the battery dam, for there was now no one whocared to shoot them; the merry-faced, rollicking, horse-racing youngbank manager and his baying pack of gaunt kangaroo dogs had vanishedwith the rest; and then came the day when but eight men remained--sevenbeing old hands, and the eighth a stranger, who, with a blackboy, hadarrived the previous evening. 

And had it not been for the coming of the stranger, Chinkie's Flatwould, in a few weeks, have been left to solitude, and reported to theGold-fields Warden as "abandoned and duffered out. "

CHAPTER II ~ GRAINGER MAKES A "DEAL"

Three years before Edward Grainger had been the leader of a smallprospecting party which had done fairly well on the rivers debouchinginto the Gulf of Carpentaria from the western side of Cape YorkPeninsula. He was an Englishman, his mates were all Australian-born, vigorous, sturdy bushmen, inured to privation and hardship, andpossessing unbounded confidence in their leader, though he was by nomeans the oldest man of the party, and not a "native. " But Graingerhad had great experience as an explorer and prospector, for he had beencompelled to begin the battle of life when but a lad of fifteen. Hisfather, once a fairly wealthy squatter in the colony of Victoria, wasruined by successive droughts, and died leaving his station deeplymortgaged to the bank, which promptly foreclosed, and Mrs. Graingerfound herself and two daughters dependent upon her only son, a boy offifteen, for a living. He, however, was equal to the occasion. Leavinghis mother and sisters in lodgings in Melbourne, he made his way to NewSouth Wales with a mob of travelling cattle, earning his pound a weekand rations. At Sydney he worked on the wharves as a lumper, and thenjoined in the wild rush to the famous Tambaroora diggings, and wasfortunate enough to meet with remunerative employment, and from thenbegan his mining experiences, which in the course of the following tenyears took him nearly all over the Australian colonies, New Zealand, and Tasmania. Never making much money, and never very "hard up, " he hadalways managed to provide for his mother and sisters; and when he formedhis prospecting party to Cape York and sailed from Brisbane, he knewthat they would not suffer from any financial straits for at least twoyears. 

For nearly three years he and his party wandered from one river toanother along the torrid shores of the great gulf, sometimes doing well, sometimes not getting enough gold to pay for the food they ate, butalways, always hopeful of the day when they would "strike it rich. " Thencame misfortune--sharp and sudden. 

Camped on the Batavia River during the wet season, the whole party offive sickened with malaria, and found themselves unable to move to thehigh land at the head of the river owing to all their horses having diedfrom eating "poison plant. " Too weak to travel by land, they determinedto build a raft and reach the mouth of the river, where there was asmall cattle station. Here they intended to remain till the end of therains, buy fresh horses and provisions, and return and prospect some ofthe deep gullies and watercourses at the head of the Batavia River. 

Scarcely had they completed the raft, and loaded it with their effects, when they were rushed by a mob of blacks, and in a few seconds two ofthe five were gasping out their lives from spear wounds, and all theothers were wounded. Fortunately for the survivors, Grainger had hisrevolver in his belt, and this saved them, for he at once opened fire onthe savages, whilst the other men worked the raft out into the middleof the stream, where they were out of danger from spears and able to usetheir rifles. 

After a terrible voyage of three days, and suffering both from theirwounds and the bone-racking agonies of fever, they at last reached thecattle station, where they were kindly received in the rough, hospitablefashion common to all pioneers in Australia. But, when at the end of amonth one of Grainger's mates died of his wounds, and the other bade himgoodbye and went off in a pearling lugger to Thursday Island, the leadersickened of Cape York Peninsula, and turned his face southwards oncemore, in the hope that fortune would be more kind to him on the newrushes at the Cloncurry, seven hundred miles away. From the stationowner he bought six horses, and with but one black-boy for a companion, started off on his long, long journey through country which for the mostpart had not yet been traversed even by the explorer. 

Travelling slowly, prospecting as he went, and adding a few ounces ofgold here and there to the little bag he carried in his saddle-pouch, quite three months passed ere he and the black boy reached theCloncurry. Here, however, he found nothing to tempt him--the fieldwas overcrowded, and every day brought fresh arrivals, and so, after aweek's spell, he once more set out, this time to the eastward towardsthe alluvial fields near the Burdekin River, of which he had heard. 

It was at the close of a long day's ride over grassless, sun-smittencountry, that he came in sight of Chinkie's Flat, and the welcome greenof the she-oaks fringing Connolly's Creek and soughing to the wind. Thequietness and verdancy of the creek pleased him, and he resolved to havea long, long spell, and try and get rid of the fever which had againattacked him and made his life a misery. 

Riding up to the hotel he found a party of some twenty or more diggerswho were having a last carouse--for the "benefit" of the landlord---erethey bade goodbye to Chinkie's Flat on the following evening. Among themwere two men who had become possessed of the "Ever Victorious" battery, left to them by the recently deceased "Taeping, " who had succumbed toalleged rum and bad whiskey. They jocularly offered Grainger theentire plant for twenty-five pounds and his horses. He made a laughingrejoinder and said he would take a look at the machine in the morning. He meant to have a long spell, he said, and Chinkie's Flat would suithim better than Townsville or Port Denison to pull up, as hotels therewere expensive and he had not much money. Then, as was customary, hereturned the drink he had accepted from them by shouting for all hands, and was at once voted "a good sort. "

In the morning he walked down to the deserted battery, examined itcarefully, and found that although it was in very bad order, anddeficient especially in screens--the one greatest essential--it wasstill capable of a great deal of work. Then he washed off a dish or twoof tailings from one of the many heaps about, and although he had noacid, nor any other means of making a proper test in such a short time, his scientific knowledge acquired on the big gold-fields of thesouthern colonies and New Zealand showed him that there was a veryheavy percentage of gold still to be won from the tailings by simple andinexpensive treatment. 

"I'll buy the thing, " he said to himself; "I can't lose much by doingso, and there's every chance of saving a good deal of gold, if I onceget some fine screens, and that will only take six weeks or so. "

By noon the "deal" was completed, and in exchange fer twenty-fivepounds in cash, six horses and their saddlery, Grainger, amid muchgood-humoured chaff from the vendors, took possession of the "EverVictorious" crushing mill, together with some thousands of tons oftailings, but when he announced his intention of putting the plant inorder and crushing for the "public" generally, as well as for himself, six men who yet had some faith in the field and believed that someof the many reefs would pay to work, elected to stay, especially whenGrainger said that if their crushings turned out "duffers" he wouldcharge them nothing for using the battery. 

At one o'clock that day there were but eight Europeans and one blackboy left on the once noisy Chinkie's Flat--the landlord of "The Digger'sBest, " six miners, Grainger, and the black boy, "Jacky, " who hadaccompanied him on his arduous journey from the Batavia River. AtGrainger's request they all met at the public-house! and sat down to adinner of salt meat, damper, and tea, and after it was finished and eachman had lit his pipe, Grainger went into details. 

"Now, boys, this is how the thing hangs. I've bought the old rattletrapbecause I believe there's a lot of life in the old girl yet, and I'mgoing to spend all the money I have in putting her in order and gettingsome new gear up from Brisbane or Sydney. If I lose my money I won'tgrumble, but I don't think I _shall_ lose it if you will agree to givesome of the reefs a thorough good trial. As I told you, I won't ask youfor a penny if the stone I crush for you turns out no good; but it ismy belief--and I know what I am talking about--that there are a thousandtons of surface stuff lying around this field which will give half anounce to an ounce to the ton if it is put through a decent machine. And I'm going to make the old 'Ever Victorious' a pretty decent batterybefore long. But it's no good my spending my money--I possess only fourhundred pounds--if you don't back me up and lend a hand. "

"You're the man for us, " said one of the men; "we'll stick to you anddo all the bullocking. But the battery is very old, and we have the ideathat old Taeping wasn't much of a boss of a crushing mill, and didn'tknow much about amalgamation. "

Grainger nodded: "I am sure of it. I don't believe that he saved morethan 50 per cent, of the gold from the surface stuff he put through, andnot more than a third from the stone. .. . Well, boys, what is it to be?"

The men looked at each other for a moment or two, and then they one andall emphatically asserted their intention of remaining on the field, assisting Grainger in repairing the plant and raising trial crushings ofstone from every reef on the field. 

"That's all right, then, boys, " said Grainger. "Now you go ahead andraise the stone, and as soon as I am a bit stronger I'll start offfor the Bay and buy what I want in the way of screens, grinding pans, quicksilver, and other gear. I'm almost convinced that with new, finescreens we shall get good results out of the stone, and if we aredisappointed, then well tackle that heap of tailings. I've seen a lot oftailings treated without being roasted in Victoria, and understand theprocess right enough. "

"Well, we'll do our share of yacker, mister, " said a man named DickScott. 

"And I'll do mine. As soon as I am fit some of you must lend me a coupleof horses, and I'll ride down to the Bay. {*} I daresay I can get allthat we want there in the way of machinery without my going or sendingto Brisbane for it. "

 * The present city of Townsville, then always called "The Bay, " it being situated on the shores of Cleveland Bay. 

On the following morning work was started by the six men, the landlordof the public-house agreeing to cook for all hands for the first week, while Grainger and the black boy (though the former was still very weakfrom recurrent attacks of ague) tried numberless prospects from allparts of the heaps of tailings. At the end of a week the miners began toraise some very likely-looking stone! and Grainger, finding some jarsof muriatic acid among the stores belonging to the battery, made somefurther tests of the tailings with results which gave him the greatestsatisfaction. He, however, said nothing about this to his new mates, intending to give them a pleasant surprise later on in the week beforehe left on his journey to the coast. 

At six o'clock one evening, just as the men were returning from theclaim for supper, Jacky, the black boy, was seen coming along the trackat a fast canter. He had been out looking for some cattle belonging toJansen the landlord, which had strayed away among the ranges. 

"What's the matter, Jacky?" asked the men, as the boy jumped off hishorse. 

"I bin see him plenty feller Chinaman come along road. Altogetherthirty-one. Close to now--'bout one feller mile away, I think it. "

CHAPTER III ~ JIMMY AH SAN

Consternation was depicted on the faces of the men. And they all beganto question Jacky at once, until Grainger appeared, and then the blackboy gave them farther particulars--the Chinamen, he said, were all onfoot, each man carrying two baskets on a stick, but there were also fiveor six pack-horses loaded with picks, shovels, dishes, and other mininggear. 

"Curse the dirty, yaller-hided swine!" cried Dick Scott, turningexcitedly to Grainger. "What's to be done? They've come to rush the Flatagain; but, by thunder! I'll be a stiff 'un afore a Chow fills anotherdish with wash-dirt on Connolly's Creek. "

"And me, too!" "And me, too!" growled the others angrily, and Grainger, as he looked at their set, determined faces, knew they would soon bebeyond control, and bloodshed would follow if the advancing Chinamentried to come on to the field. But, nevertheless, he was thoroughly insympathy with them. The advent of these Chinese--probably but an advanceguard of many hundreds--would simply mean ruination to himself and hismates, just as their prospects were so bright. The men looked upon himas their leader, and he must act--and act quickly. 

"Let them come along, boys. Then we'll bail them up as soon as they comeabreast of us, and have a little 'talkee, talkee' with them. But forheaven's sake try and keep cool, and I daresay when they see we lookugly at them, they'll trot on. How many of you have guns of any kind?"

Four rifles and two shot guns were quickly produced, and then every onewaited till the first of the Chinese appeared, marching one behind theother. The foremost man was dressed in European clothes, and the momentScott saw him, he exclaimed--

"Why, it's Jimmy Ah San! I used to know him at Gympie in the old times. He's not a bad sort of a Chow. Come on, boys!"

Grainger, who was not just then well enough to go with them, butremained in his seat with his revolver on his knee, could not helpsmiling at the sudden halt and terrified looks of the Chinese, whenScott and the others drew up in front of them with their weapons at thepresent. Half of them at once dropped their baskets and darted off intothe bush, the rest crowding together like a flock of terrified sheep. The leader, however, came steadily on. Scott stepped out and met him. 

"Good-morning. What do you and all your crowd want here?"

"Nothing, " replied the Chinaman quietly, in excellent English, "nothingbut to get down to the creek and camp for a few days. But why do you allcome out with guns? We cannot do you any harm. "

"Just so. But we can do _you_ a lot if you try on any games, Mr. JimmyAh San. "

"Ah, you know me then, " said the man, looking keenly at Scott. 

"Yes, I do, an' you're all right enough. But me an' my mates is goingto keep this field for white men--it ain't goin' to be no Chinaman'sdigging'. So what's yer move?"

"Only what I said. Look at my men! We do not want to stop here; we wishto push along to the coast. Some of them are dying from exhaustion, andmy pack-horses can hardly go another quarter of a mile. "

Soott scratched his chin meditatively, and then consulted with hismates. He, although so rough in his speech, was not a bad-natured man, and he could see that the Chinese were thoroughly done up, and worn downto skin and bone. Then presently Grainger walked over and joined them, and heard what Ah San had to say. 

"I'm sorry that you are in such a bad fix, " he said, "but you know aswell as I do that if any of your men put a pick into ground here, there will be serious trouble, and if they lose their lives you will beresponsible--and may perhaps lose your own. "

"I promise you that nothing like that will happen, " replied theChinaman. "My men are all diggers, it is true, but we will not attemptto stay on any field where we are not wanted. My name is James Ah San. Iam a British subject, and have lived in Australia for twenty-five years. That man" (pointing to Scott) "knows me, and can tell you that 'Jimmy AhSan' never broke a promise to any man. "

"That is right enough, " said Scott promptly; "every one in Gympie knewyou when you was storekeepin' there, and said you was a good sort. "

"We have come over three hundred miles from the Cloncurry, " went on theChinese leader, quickly seeing that Scott's remark had much impressedthe other miners; "the diggers there gave us forty-eight hours to clearout. The blacks killed fifteen of us and speared ten of my horses, andsix more men died on the way. We can do no harm here. We only want tospell a week, or two weeks. "

"Poor devils!" muttered Grainger; then he said to Ah San: "Very well. Now, you see the track going through that clump of sandalwood? Well, follow it and you'll come to a little ironstone ridge, where you'll finda good camping-ground just over a big pool in the creek. There's abit of sweet grass, too, for your horses, so they can get a good feedto-night. In the morning this black boy will, if you like, show you aplace in the ranges, about four miles from here, where you can let themrun for a week. There's some fine grass and plenty of water, and theyought to pick up very quickly. But you will have to keep some one to seethat they don't get round the other side of the range--through one ofthe gaps; if they do, you'll lose them to a dead certainty, for thereare two or three mobs of brumbies{*} running there. Do you want anytucker?"{**}

 * Wild horses. 

 ** Provisions. 

"No, thank you, " replied Ah San, with an unmistakable inflexion ofgratitude in his voice; "we have plenty of rice and tea, but I shouldlike to buy a bullock to-morrow, if I can--I saw some cattle about twomiles from here. Is there a cattle station near here?"

"No. The cattle you saw belong to one of us--this man here, " pointing toJansen, "will sell you a beast to-morrow, I daresay. "

Then the armed protectors of the integrity from foreign invasion of therights of Chinkie's Flat nodded "Good evening" to Ah San, and walkedback across the road to the "Digger's Best, " and the Chinamen, withsilent, childlike patience, resumed their loads and trotted along aftertheir leader. They disappeared over the hill, and ere darkness descendedthe glare of their camp fires was casting steady gleams of light uponthe dark waters of the still pool beneath the ridge. 

CHAPTER IV ~ GRAINGER AND JIMMY AH SAN TALK TOGETHER

It was eight o'clock in the morning, and Jimmy Ah San, a fat, pleasant-faced Chinaman, dressed in European costume, came outside histent, and filling his pipe, sat down on the ground, and with his handsclasped on his knees, saw six of the white men emerge from two or threehumpies, and walk down to the new shaft to begin work. 

He was well acquainted with the previous history of the spot upon whichhe was now gazing, and something like a scowl darkened his good-humouredface as he looked upon the ragged, half-famished surrivors of hiscompany, and thought of the past horrors and hardships of the fearfuljourney from the Cloncurty. Fifteen of their number had been murdered byblacks in less than a fortnight, and the bones of half a dozen more, whohad succumbed to exhaustion or thirst lay bleaching on a strip of desertcountry between the Cloncurry and the Burdekin River. 

But Ah San was a man of courage--and resource as well--and hisfive-and-twenty years' experience of bush and mining life in the FarNorth of Australia enabled him to pilot the remainder of his men byforced marches to the Cape River, where they had spelled for a month soas to gain strength for the long stage between that river and Conolly'sCreek, on one of the deserted fields of which he hoped to settle andretrieve his broken fortunes. 

As he sat and watched and thought, eight or ten members of his companycame and crouched near him, gazing with hungry eyes at the heaps ofmullock and the mounds of tailings surrounding the "Ever Victorious"battery, watching the Europeans at work, and wondering when they, too, would give it up and follow their departed comrades. For the Chinamenknew that those dry and dusty heaps of mullock and grey and yellow sand, on which the death adder and the black-necked tiger snake now coiledthemselves to sleep in the noon-day sun, still contained gold enough toreward patient industry--industry of which the foreign-devils were notcapable when the result would be but five pennyweights a day, washedout in the hot waters of the creek under a sky of brass, "with flour attwo-pounds-ten per 50 lb. Bag, " as Dick Scott said. 

Presently, turning to a sun-baked, lanky Chinaman near him--hislieutenant--he bade him tell the men to prepare to go down to the Creek, and drag some of the pools with a small seine. 

"There are many fish in all these creeks which run into the great river"(the Burdekin), "but I will first go to the foreigners and ask theirpermission. The tall, sick man is well disposed towards us, and we mustbe patient and submit to the tyranny of the others for a little while. But all may yet be well with us if I can but get speech of him alone. Meanwhile, keep the company under close watch; let no man wander fromthe camp till I return. "

Then entering his tent, he took from a canvas pack-bag a small bottle, put it in his coat pocket, and, descending the ridge, walked towards the"Digger's Best. "

As he drew near, Grainger, followed by the landlord, came out of thehouse and sat down on rudely made reclining chairs, composed of twopieces of sapling, with cross-pieces, from which was slung a flour sack. 

"Good morning, gentlemen, " said the Chinaman politely. 

"Good morning, " they replied civilly, and then Grainger, who was wearinga heavy overcoat, for the chill of an attack of ague was near, asked himto sit down and inquired how his men were. 

"They are getting on very well, thank you, sir, " replied Ah San, "butseveral of them are very weak, and will not be fit to travel for afortnight unless we carry them. But the rest will do them much good, especially if they get a change of food. I have come now to ask you ifyou and your mates will let us drag some of the pools in the creek forfish. We have a small net. "

"Certainly, " replied Jansen; "some fish will do them good, and the poolsare alive with them now that the creek is so low. And anyway, we don'twant to stop you from getting food--do we, Mr. Grainger?"

"Certainly not; we have no earthly right to prevent you from takingfish in the creek, and even if we had we should not use it. We are notbrutes. "

"Thank you very much, " said Ah San--and then, addressing himself to thelandlord, he asked him if he had a bullock to sell. 

Jansen was an alert business man at once. He had a small herd of cattlerunning wild about the creek! and was only too glad to sell a beast. 

"You can have any bullock you like--the biggest in the lot--for afiver--but, cash down. "

The Chinaman pulled out his purse, handed him a five-pound note, andasked when he could have the beast. 

"In about an hour, if you want to kill right off; but you ought not tokill till sundown in such weather as this. But, anyway, I'll saddle upand get a man to help me run the mob into the stockyard. Then you canpick one out for yourself---there's half a dozen bullocks, and some fineyoung fat cows, so you can have your choice. "

In a few minutes the landlord had caught and saddled two horses, andriding one, and leading the other, he went off to the new shaft, wherethe spare horse was mounted by one of the men working there. 

Then Ah San turned to the sick man, and said interrogatively--

"You have fever?"

"Yes, I caught it up Normanton way in the Gulf Country six months ago, and thought I was getting clear of it, but a month back it came onagain, and I have been pretty bad ever since. "

"I can see that, and the Gulf kind of fever is bad--very bad. I know allabout it, for I lived in the Gulf Country for ten years, and have had itmyself. Now, here is some medicine which will do you good--it will cureyou in ten days if you take a dose every time you feel the 'shakes'coming on. But you must not eat more than you can help. "

"Thank you, " said Grainger eagerly, as he took the bottle; "it is verykind of you. But you may want it yourself?"

"I have three or four more bottles left. I had a dozen from the doctorat Georgetown on the Etheridge River. He is a man who knows all aboutfever, and I can assure you that you will be a well man in ten days. Show me your hand, please. "

The European extended his hand languidly to the Chinaman, who looked atthe finger-nails for a moment or two: "You will have the 'shakes' in afew hours. "

"Yes. They generally come on as soon as the sun gets pretty high--aboutnine or ten o'clock. "

"Then you must take a dose now. Can I go inside and get a glass and somewater?"

"Yes, certainly. It is very good of you to take so much trouble. "

Returning with a glass and some water, the Chinaman poured out a dose ofthe mixture, and with a smile of satisfaction watched the sick man drinkit. 

Then Grainger and his visitor began to talk, at first on general matterssuch as the condition of the country between the Cloncurry and theBurdekin, and then about Chinkie's Flat, its past glories and itspresent condition. The frank, candid manner of Ah San evoked a similarfreedom of speech from the Englishman, who recognised that he wastalking to an intelligent and astute man who knew more about the FarNorth of Queensland and its gold-fields than he did himself. 

Then Ah San saw the opportunity for which he had been waiting, anddrawing his seat nearer to Grainger's he spoke earnestly to him, toldhim exactly of the situation of himself and his company, and ended up bymaking him a certain proposition regarding the working of the abandonedclaims, and the restarting of the rusting and weather-worn "EverVictorious" battery. 

Grainger listened intently, nodding his head now and then as Ah Sanemphasised some particular point. At the end of an hour's conversationthey heard the cracking of the landlord's stock whip and the bellowingof cattle as they crossed the creek, and the Chinaman rose and held outhis hand. 

"Then good morning, Mr. Grainger. I hope you will be able to convinceyour mates that we can all pull together. "

"I am sure of it. We are all pretty hard up. And you and your men canhelp us, and we can help you. Come down again to-night, and I'll tellyou the result of my talk with them. "

CHAPTER V ~ THE RESURRECTION OF THE "EVER VICTORIOUS"

At six o'clock in the evening, Grainger was seated at one end of therough dining-table in the "Digger's Best" with some papers laid beforehim, At the other end was Dick Scott, and the rest of the men sat oneither side, smoking their pipes, and wondering what was in the wind. 

Grainger did not keep them waiting long. Taking his pipe ont of hismonth, and laying it on the table, he went into business at once, Hespoke to them as if he were one of themselves, adopting a simplicity oflanguage and manner that he knew would appeal to their common sense andjudgment far more than an elaborately prepared speech. 

"Now, boys, I've got something to say, and I'll say it as quick as Ican. None of you know anything of me beyond what I have told you myself;but I don't think any one of you will imagine I'm a man who would try toring in a swindle on you when I bought the old rattletrap down there?"

"Go ahead, mister, " said Dick Scott, "we didn't think no such thing. Weon'y thought you was chuckin' away your money pernicious. "

Grainger laughed so heartily that his hearers followed suit Then he wenton--

"No. I'm not throwing my money away, boys. I am going to _make_ money onthis field, and so are you. But there are not enough of us. We want moremen--wages' men; and presently I'll explain _why_ we shall want them. But first of all, let me show you what I obtained the other day out ofbetween 200 and 250 lbs. Weight of those tailings. "

He rose, went into the second room, and returned with a small enamelleddish, and placed it upon the table. The miners rose and gathered round, and saw lying on the bottom about an ounce and a quarter of fine powderygold. 

"Holy Moses!" cried one of them, as he drew his forefinger through thebright, yellow dust, "there's more than an ounce there. "

"There is, " affirmed Grainger: "there are twenty-five pennyweights, andall that came out of not more than 250 lbs. Of tailings!"

The men looked at each other with eyes sparkling with excitement, and then Grainger poured the gold out upon a clean plate for closerexamination. 

"Why, " exclaimed Scott, "that means those tailings would go ten ouncesto the ton!"

"Just so, " said Grainger, "but we can't get those ten ounces out of themby ordinary means, though with new screens, new tables and blankets Iam pretty sure we can get four ounces to the ton. But we want the ten, don't we?"

"You bet, " was the unanimous response. 

"Well, I'll guarantee that we shall get eight ounces at least. But firstof all I'll tell you how I got the result. You can try some of the stuffin the morning, and you will find that those tailings will pan out abouteight or ten ounces to the ton. "

"But acid is mighty dear stuff, " said Scott. 

"Just so, but it is very good as a test, and of course we are notsuch duffers as to try to treat more than a couple of thousand tons oftailings with acid. We'd die of old age before we finished. Now, I'llget on and tell you what I do propose. You remember that I said I hadseen tailings treated in Victoria without roasting. Well, we could dothat now, though we should only get half the gold and lose the otherhalf in the sludge pits. Now, as I told you, I have about four hundredpounds' worth of alluvial gold, which I brought with me from the north, and which I can sell to any bank in the Bay. I intended when I boughtthe 'Ever Victorious' to spend this £400 in buying some fine screens, acouple of grinding pans, and some other gold-saving machinery, so thatwhen I was not crushing stone for you men I could be running thosetailings through. But we can do better--now that the Chinamen are here. "

Something like dismay was depicted on the men's faces when they heardthis, but no one interrupted as he went on--

"We can do much better. Instead of treating those tailings by simplyrunning them through the screens again and losing half the gold, we canbuild a proper roasting farnaoe, and _then_ we can grind them, keepingthe stampers for crushing alone. This morning I had a long yarn with AhSan, the boss Chinaman, and he is willing to let us have as many of hismen as we want for twenty-five shillings a week each, and indenture themto me for six months--there's the labour we want, right to our hand. It's cheap labour, I admit, but that is no concern of ours. The Chows, so Ah San tells me, will be only too glad to get a six months' job attwenty-five bob a week--of which he takes half. "

"Aye, " said Scott contemptuously, "they're only bloomin' slaves. "

"To their boss, no doubt; but not to us. They will be well pleased towork for us and earn what they consider good wages. I propose that weget at least twenty of them and set them to work right away. There isany amount of good clay here, I know, and we'll start them digging. Iknow how to build a brick-kiln, and we'll get a proper bricklayer upfrom the Bay, and I guarantee that by the time the new machinery is upthat the roasting furnace will be built. "

"No need to get a bricklayer from the Bay and pay him about eight pounda week, " said a man named Arthur O'Hare; "I'm a bricklayer by trade. "

"Bully for you, " said Grainger; "will you take four pounds a week to putup the furnace and chimney?"

"I'm willing, if my mates are. "

"Well, boys, that's pretty well all I have to say. We'll build theroasting furnace; the Chinamen will do all the bullocking{*} both atthat and the battery, and we'll put on half-a-dozen to help at the newshaft. I'll boss the battery, drive the engine, and do the amalgamating, and you men can go on roasting stone. Every Saturday we'll stop thebattery and clean her up, and at the end of every four weeks we'll sendthe gold to the bank and go shares in the plunder. Now, tell me, what doyou think? Do you think it's a fair proposition?"

 * "Bullocking"--hard work--i. E. , to work like bullook. In a team. 

After a very brief consultation together, Scott, speaking on behalf ofhis mates, said they were all willing, and not only willing, but pleasedto "come in" with him, but they thought that he would only be actingfairly to himself if he, as manager of the battery, amalgamator, andgeneral supervisor of the whole concern, took a salary of ten pounds aweek. 

"No, boys. I'll take six pounds if you like. Of course, however, youwill not object to refunding me the money I am expending on the newmachinery. As for the profits, we shall divide equally. 

"Well then, " said Scott, banging his brawny fist on the table andturning to his mates, "if you treats us in that generous way, we must dothe same with you as regards the stone we raise. Boys, I proposes thatas our new mate is finding the money to start the old battery again, andgoing even shares with us in the gold from the tailings, that we go evenshares with him in whatever gold we get from the claims. "

"Right, " was the unanimous response. And then they all came up one byone and shook hands with Grainger, whose face flushed with pleasure. Then Jansan produced a bottle of rum and Grainger gave them a toast--

"Boys, here's good luck to us all, and here's to the day when we shallhear the stampers banging away in the boxes and the 'Ever Victorious' beas victorious as she was in the good old days of the field. "

CHAPTER VI ~ "MAGNETIC VILLA"

"Magnetic Villa" was one of the "best" houses in the rising city ofTownsville. It stood on the red, rocky, and treeless side of MeltonHill, overlooked the waters of Cleveland Bay, and faced the ratherpicturesque-looking island from whence it derived its name. 

About ten months after the resurrection of the "Ever Victorious" and theconcomitant reawakening to life of Chinkie's Flat, three ladies arrivedby steamer from Sydney to take possession of the villa--then untenanted. In a few hours it was generally known that the newcomers were Mrs. Trappème, Miss Trappème, and Miss Lilla Trappème. There was also aMaster Trappème, a lanky, ill-looking, spotted-faced youth of fourteen, in exceedingly new and badly-fitting clothes much too large for him. Byhis mother and sisters he was addressed as "Mordaunt, " though until ayear or so previously his name had been Jimmy. 

A few weeks after the ladies had installed themselves in the villa thereappeared a special advertisement in the Townsville _Champion_ (overthe leader) informing the public that "Mrs. Lee-Trappème is prepared toreceive a limited number of paying guests at 'Magnetic Villa. ' Elegantappointments, superior _cuisine_, and that comfort and hospitality whichcan Only be obtained in a Highly-refined Family Circle. "

"Hallo!" said Mallard, the editor of the _Champion_, to Flynn, his sub, who called his attention to the advertisement, "so 'Magnetic Villa'is turned into a hash house, eh? Wonder who they are? 'Highly refinedfamily circle'--sounds fishy, doesn't it? Do you know anything aboutthem?"

"No, but old Maclean, the Melbourne drummer who came up in the _Barcoo_from Sydney with them, does--at least he knew the old man, who diedabout a year and a half ago. "

"What was he?"

"Bank messenger in Sydney at thirty bob a week; used to lend money tothe clerks at high interest, and did very well; for when he pegged outhe left the old woman a couple of thousand. His name was Trappem--JohnTrappem, but he was better known as 'Old Jack Trap. ' When they came onboard the _Barcoo_ they put on no end of side, and they were 'Mrs. , theMisses, and Master Lee-Trappème. '"

"Lord! what a joke! Did the drummer give the show away on board?"

"No, for a wonder. But he told me of it. "

"Daughters good looking?"

"Younger one is not too bad; elder's a terror--thin, bony, long face, long nose, long feet, long conceit of herself, and pretty long age, walks mincingly, like a hen on a hot griddle, and------"

"Oh, stop it! The old woman?"

"Fat, ruddy-faced, pleasant-looking, white hair, talks of her 'poor_papaless_ girls, ' &c. She's a pushing old geyser, however, and hasalready got the parsons and some of the other local nobility to call onher. "

"Wonder what sort of tucker they'd give one, Flynn? I'm tired of paying£6 a week at the beastly overcrowded dog-kennel, entitled the 'Royal'Hotel--save the mark!--and I'm game even to try a boarding-house, but, "and here he rubbed his chin, "this 'refined family circle' business, youknow?"

"They all say that, " remarked the sub. "You couldn't expect 'em totell the truth and say, 'In Paradise Mansions Mrs. De Jones feeds herboarders on anything cheap and nasty; the toilet jugs have no handles, and the floors are as dirty as the kitchen slave, who does the cookingand waits at table, and the family generally are objectionable in theirmanners and appearance. '"

"Are you game to come with me this afternoon and inspect 'MagneticVilla' and the 'refined family circle'?"

"Yes. And, by Jove! if you take up your quarters there, I will do soas well. We could try it, anyway. I'm batching with Battray, the policeinspector, and three other fellows. It was only going to cost us £3 aweek each; it costs us more like £6. "

"Of course, too much liquor, and all that, " said the editor of the_Champion_, with a merry twinkle in his eye. 

Scarcely had the sub-editor left when a knock announced another visitor, and Grainger, booted and spurred, entered the room. 

Mallard jumped from his chair and shook hands warmly with him. "This isa surprise, Grainger. When did you get to town?"

"About an hour ago. Myra is with me; her six months' visit has come toan end, and my mother and my elder sister want her back again; so she isleaving in the next steamer. But all the hotels are packed full, andas the steamer does not leave for a week, I don't know how to manage. That's why I came to see you, thinking you might know of some placewhere we could put up for a week. "

"I shall be only too delighted to do all I can. The town is very fullof people just now, and the hotels are perfect pandemoniums, what withChinkie's Flat, the rush to the Haughton, Black Gully, and other placesTownsville is off its head with bibulous prosperity, and lodgings ofany kind fit for a lady are unobtainable. Ah, stop! I've forgottensomething. I do know of a place which might suit Miss Grainger verywell. Where is she now?"

"In the alleged sitting-room at the 'Queen's. ' I gave the head waiter asovereign to let her have it to herself for a couple of hours whilst Iwent out and saw what I could do. "

Then Mallard told Grainger of "Magnetic Villa. "

"Let us go and see this refined family, " he said with a laugh. "I don'tknow them, but from what my sub tells me, I daresay Miss Grainger couldmanage with them for a week. I know the house, which has two advantages:it is large, and is away from this noisy, dirty, dusty, and sinfultown. "

"Very well, " said Grainger» as he took out his pipe, "will three o'clocksuit? My sister might come. "

"Of course. Now tell me about Chinkie's Flat. Any fresh news?"

"Nothing fresh; same old thing. "

"'Same old thing!'" and Mallard spread out his arms yearningly androlled his eyes towards the ceiling. "Just listen to the man, O ye gods!'The same old thing!' That means you are making a fortune hand overfist, you and Jimmy Ah San. "

"We are certainly making a lot of money, Mallard, " replied Graingerquietly, as he lit his pipe and crossed his strong, sun-tanned handsover his knee. "My own whack, so far, out of Chinkie's Flat, has come tomore than £16, 000. "

"Don't say 'whack, ' Grainger; it's vulgar. Say 'My own emolument, derived in less than one year from the auriferous wealth of Chinkie'sFlat, amounts to £16, 000. ' You'll be going to London soon, and floatingthe property for a million, and--"

Grainger, who knew the man well, and had a sincere liking and respectfor him, laughed again, though his face flushed. "You know me betterthan that, Mallard; I'm not the man to do that sort of thing. I couldfloat the concern and make perhaps a hundred thousand or so out of itif I was blackguard enough to do it. But, thank God, I've never doneanything dirty in my life, and never will. "

"Don't mind my idiotic attempt at a joke, Grainger, " and Mallard pat onthis hand. "I know you are the straightest man that ever lived. But I didreally think that you would be going off to England soon, and thatwe--I mean the other real friends beside myself you have made in thisGod-forsaken colony--would know you no more except by reading of your'movements' in London. "

"No, Mallard, Australia is my home. I know nothing of England, for Ileft there when I was a child. As I told you, my poor father was oneof the biggest sheep men in Victoria, and died soon after the bankforeclosed on him. The old station, which he named 'Melinda Downs, 'after my mother, who has the good old-fashioned name of Melinda, hasgone through a lot of vicissitudes since then; but a few weeks ago myagent in Sydney bought it for £10, 000, and now my mother and sisters aregoing back there. "

"And yourself?"

"Oh, a year or two more--perhaps three or four; and then, when Chinkie'sFlat is worked out, I too, will go south to the old home. "

Mallard sighed, and then, taking a cigar, lit it, and the two men smokedtogether in silence for a few minutes. 

"Mallard!"

"Yes, old man. "

"This continual newspaper grind is pretty tough, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. But thanks to you--by putting me on to the 'Day Dawn' Reefat Chinkie's Flat--I've made a thousand or two and can chuck it at anytime. "

"Don't say 'chuck. ' It's vulgar; and the editor of the 'leading journalin North Queensland' must not be vulgar, " and he smiled. 

"Ah, Grainger my boy, you have been a good friend to me!"

"It's the other way about, Mallard. You were the only man in the wholecolony of Queensland who stood to me when I began to employ Chineselabour. That ruffian, Peter Finnerty, said in the House, only two monthsago, that I deserved to be shot. "

"Well, you stuck to your guns, and I to mine. Fortunately the _Champion_is my own 'rag, ' and not owned by a company. I stuck to you as a matterof principle. "

"And lost heavily by it. "

"For six months or so. A lot of people withdrew their advertisements;but they were a bit surprised when at the end of that time they cameback to me, and I refused to insert their ads. At any price. I considerthat you not only did wisely, but right, in employing the Chinamen. Arethey going on satisfactorily?"

"Very; they do work for me at twenty-five shillings a week that whitemen would not do at all--no matter what you offered them: emptyingsludge-pits, building dams, etc. "

"Exactly! And now all the people who rose up and howled at you foremploying Chinamen, and the _Champion_ for backing you up, are shoutingthemselves hoarse in your praise. And the revival of Chinkie's Flat, and the new rushes all round about it, have added very materially to thewealth of this town. " After a little further conversation, Grainger wentback to the Queen's Hotel, where Mallard was to call at three o'clock. 

Myra Grainger, a small, slenderly-built girl of nineteen, looked up ashe entered the sitting-room. 

"Any success, Ted?"

"Here, look at this advertisement. Mallard knows the place, but not thepeople. He's coming here at three, and we'll all go and interview Mrs. Trappème--'which her real name is Trappem, ' I believe. "

"I shall be glad to see Mr. Mallard again. I like him--in fact, I likedhim before I ever saw him for the way in which he fought for you. "

"And I'm strongly of the opinion that Mr. Thomas Mallard has a verystrong liking for Miss Myra Grainger. "

"Then I like him still more for that. "

Grainger patted his sister's cheek. "He is a good fellow, Myra. I thinkhe will ask you to marry him. "

"I certainly expect it, Ted. "

CHAPTER VII ~ SHEILA CAROLAN

Although Mrs. Trappème had been so short a time in Townsville, she hadcontrived to learn a very good deal, not only about people in the townitself, but in the surrounding districts, and knew that Grainger was awealthy mine-owner, had a sister staying with him on a visit--and was abachelor. She also knew that Mallard was the editor of the _Champion_, and was likewise a bachelor--in fact, she had acquired pretty wellall the information that could be acquired; her informant being thetalkative, scandal-mongering wife of the Episcopalian curate. 

She was therefore highly elated when at four o'clock in the afternoonMiss Grainger and her brother, and Mallard, after a brief inspectionof the rooms--which were really handsomely furnished--took three of thelargest and a private sitting-room, at an exorbitant figure, for a week, and promised to be at the Villa that evening for dinner. 

"He's immensely rich, Juliette, " she said to her daughter (she wasspeaking of Grainger after he had gone), "and you must do your best, your very best. Wear something very simple, as it is the first evening;and be particularly nice to his sister--I'm sure he's very fond of her. She'll only be here a week, but he and Mr. Mallard will probably be herea month. So now you have an excellent chance. Don't throw it away bymaking a fool of yourself. "

Juliette (who had been christened Julia, and called "Judy" forthirty-two years of her life) set her thin lips and then repliedacidly--

"It's all very well for you to talk, but whenever I did have achance--which was not often--you spoilt it by your interference. And ifyou allow Jimmy to sit at the same table with us to-night he'll simplydisgust these new people. When you call him 'Mordaunt' the hideouslittle wretch grins; and he grins too when you call me 'Juliette' andLizzie 'Lilla. '"

Mrs. Trappème's fat face scowled at her daughter, and she was about tomake an angry retort when the frontdoor bell rang. 

"A lady wants to see yez, ma'am, " said the "new chum" Irish housemaid, who had answered the door. 

"Did you show her into the reception room, Mary?"

"Sure, an' is it the wee room wid the sthuffed burd in the fireplace, oris it the wan beyant wid the grane carpet on de flore; becos' I'm afterputtin' her in the wan wid the sthuffed burd? Anny way it's a lady sheis, sure enough; an' it's little she'll moind where she do be waitin' onyez. "

"Did she send in her card, Mary?"

"Did she sind in her _what_?"

"Her card, you stupid girl. "

"Don't you be after miscallin' me, ma'am. Sure I can get forty shillingsa wake annywhere an' not be insulted by anny wan, instead av thirtyhere, which I do be thinkin' is not the place to shuit me"--and theindignant daughter of the Emerald Isle, a fresh-complexioned, handsomeyoung woman, tossed her pretty head and marched out. 

So Mrs. Trappème went into the room "wid the sthuffed burd in it, "and there rose to meet her a fair-haired girl of about eighteen, withlong-lashed, dark-grey eyes, and a somewhat worn and drawn expressionabout her small mouth, as if she were both mentally and physicallytired. Her dress was of the simplest--a neatly fitting, dark-blue, tailor-made gown. 

"I saw your advertisement in the _Champion_ this morning, " she said, "and called to ascertain your terms. " Mrs. Trappème's big, protruding, and offensive pale-blue eyes stared at and took in the girl's modestattire and her quiet demeanour as a shark looks at an unsuspecting ordisabled fish which cannot escape its maws. 

"Please sit down, " she said with a mingled ponderous condescensionand affability. "I did not _advertise_. I merely _notified_ in the_Champion_ that I would receive paying guests. But my terms are veryexclusive. " "What are they?"

"Five guineas a week exclusive of extras, which, in this place, amountto quite a guinea more. You could not afford that, I suppose?"

The dark-grey eyes flashed, and then looked steadily at those of thefishy blue. 

"Your terms are certainly very high, but I have no option. I find itimpossible to get accommodation in Townsville. I only arrived fromSydney this morning in the _Corea_, and as I am very tired, I shouldlike to rest in an hour or so--as soon as you can conveniently letme have my room, " and taking out her purse she placed a £5 note, asovereign, and six shillings on the table. 

"Will you allow me to pay you in advance?" she said, with a tinge ofsarcasm in her clear voice. "I will send my luggage up presently. "

Mrs. Trappème at once became most affable. She had noticed that thepurse the girl had produced was literally stuffed with new £5 notes. 

"May I send for it?" she said beamingly, "and will you not stay and goto your room now?"

"No, thank you, " was the cold reply, "I have some business to attend tofirst. Can you tell me where Mr. Mallard, the editor of the _Champion_, lives? I know where the office is, but as it is a morning paper, Ishould not be likely to find him there at this early hour. "

Mrs. Trappème was at once devoured with curiosity. "How veryextraordinary! Mr. Mallard was here only half an hour ago with a Mr. Grainger and Miss Grainger. They are coming here to stay for a fewweeks. "

The girl's fair face lit up. "Oh, indeed! I am sorry I was not here, asI particularly wish to see Mr. Grainger also. I had no idea that he wasin Townsville, and was calling on Mr. Mallard--who, I know, is a friendof his--to ascertain when he was likely to be in town. "

"They will all be here for dinner, Miss----"

"My name is Carolan, " and taking out her cardcase she handed Mrs. Trappème a card on which was inscribed, "Miss Sheila Carolan. "

"Then Mr. Grainger is a friend of yours?" said Mrs. Trappèmeinquisitively, thinking of the poor chance Juliette would have with sucha Richmond in the field as Miss Sheila Carolan. 

"No, I have never even seen him, " said the girl stiffly, and then sherose. 

"Then you will send for my luggage, Mrs. Trappème?"

"With pleasure, Miss Carolan. But will you not look at your room, andjoin my daughter and myself in our afternoon tea?"

"No, thank you, I think I shall first try and see either Mr. Mallard orMr. Grainger. Do you know where Mr. Mallard lives?"

"At the Royal Hotel in Flinders Street. My daughter Lilla will bedelighted to show you the way. "

But Miss Sheila Carolan was stubborn, and declined the kind offer, andMrs. Trappème, whose curiosity was now at such a pitch that she wasbeginning to perspire, saw her visitor depart, and then called forJuliette. 

"I wonder who she is and what she wants to see Mr. Grainger for?" shesaid excitedly, as she mopped her florid face: "doesn't know him, andyet wants to see him particularly. There is something mysterious abouther. "

"What is she like?" asked Miss Trappème eagerly. "I didn't see herface, but her clothes are all right, I can tell you. " (She knew allabout clothes, having been a forewoman in a Sydney drapery establishmentfor many years. )

"Oh, a little, common-looking thing, but uppish. I wonder what on earthshe _does_ want to see Mr. Grainger for?"

Half an hour later, when Miss Carolan's luggage arrived, it was dulyinspected and criticised by the whole Trappème family. Each trunk borea painted address: "Miss Carolan, Minerva Downs, Dalrymple, NorthQueensland. "

"Now where in the world is Minerva Downs?" said Mrs. Trappème, "and whyon earth is she going there? And her name too--Carolan--Sheila Carolan!I suppose she's a Jewess. "

"Indade, an' it's not that she is, ma'am, whatever it manes, "indignantly broke in Mary, who had helped to carry in the luggage, andnow stood erect with flaming face and angry eyes. "Sure an' I tould yezshe was a lady, an' anny wan cud see she was a lady, an' Carolan is wanav the best names in Ireland--indade it is. "

"You may leave the room, Mary, " said Miss Trappème loftily. 

"Lave the room, is it, miss? Widout maning anny disrespect to yez, Imight as well be telling yez that I'm ready to lave the place intirely, an' so is the cook an' stableman, an' the gardener. Sure none avus--having been used to the gintry--want to sthay in a place where we dobe getting talked at all day. "

The prospect of all her servants leaving simultaneously was too awfulfor Mrs. Trappème to contemplate. So she capitulated. 

"Don't be so hasty, Mary. I suppose, then, that Miss Carolan is anIrishwoman?"

"She is that, indade. Sore an' her swate face toold me so before shespoke to me at all, at all. "

"Then you must look after her wants yery carefully, Mary. She will onlybe here for a few weeks. "

Mary's angry eyes softened. "I will that ma'am. Sure she's a sweet younglady wid the best blood in her, I'm thinkin'. "

Miss Trappème sniffed. 

CHAPTER VIII ~ MYRA AND SHEILA

There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a verysimple one. Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, withthe exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last fiveyears. The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of avery independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in theworld. There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of hermother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattlestation near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she couldhelp her to obtain a situation as a governess. Six weeks later shereceived a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter. 

 "My dear Sheila, --Why did you not write to me long, long ago, and tell me that you and your Aunt Margaret did not get on well together! I remember as a girl that she was somewhat 'crotchetty. ' I am not going to write you a long letter. _I want you to come to us_. Be my children's governess--and I really do want a governess for them--but remember that you are coming to your mother's friend and schoolmate, and that although you will receive £100 a year--if that is too little let us agree for £160--it does not mean that you will be anything else to me but the daughter of your dear mother. Now I must tell you that Minerva Downs is a difficult place to reach, and that you will have to ride all the way from Townsville--250 miles--but that will be nothing to an Australian-born girl 'wid Oirish blood in her. ' When you get to Townsville call on Mr. Mallard, the editor of the _Champion_, who is a friend of ours (I've written him), and he will 'pass' you on to another friend of ours, a Mr. Grainger, who lives at a mining town called Chinkie's Flat, ninety miles from here, and Mr. Grainger (don't lose your heart to him, and defraud my children of their governess) will 'pass' you on with the mailman for Minerva Downs. The enclosed will perhaps be useful (it is half a year's salary you advance), and my husband and _all_ my large and furious family of rough boys and rougher girls will be delighted to see you. 

 "Very sincerely yours, my dear Sheila, "Noba Fabbow. "

With the letter was enclosed a cheque for £50 on a Sydney bank. 

As the girl descended Melton Hill into hot, dusty, and noisy FlindersStreet, she smiled to herself as she thought how very much she hadstimulated the curiosity of Mrs. Trappème--to whom she had, almostunconsciously, taken an instinctive dislike. 

As she entered the crowded vestibule of the Royal Hotel, a group ofmen--diggers, sugar planters, storekeepers, bankers, ship captains, andpolicemen, who were all laughing hilariously at some story which wasbeing told by one of their number--at once made a lane for herto approach the office, for ladies--especially young and prettyladies--were few in comparison to the men in North Queensland in thosedays, and a murmured whisper of admiration was quite audible to her asshe made her inquiry of the clerk. 

"No; Mr. Mallard is with Mr. And, Miss Grainger at the 'Queen's. ' Heleft here a few minutes ago. "

"May I show you the way, miss?" said a huge bearded man, who, booted andspurred, took off his hat to her in an awkward manner. "I'm Dick Scott, one of Mr. Grainger's men. "

"Thank you, " replied Sheila, "it is very kind of you, " and, escorted bythe burly digger, she went out into the street again. 

"Are you Miss Caroline, ma'am?" said her guide to her respectfully, ashe tried to shorten his lengthy strides. 

"Yes, my name is Carolan, " she replied, trying to hide a smile. 

"Thought so, ma'am. I heerd the boss a-tellin' Miss Grainger as youwould be a-comin' to Chinkie's on yer way up ter Minervy Downs. Here'sthe 'Queen's, ' miss, an' there's the boss and his sister and Mr. Mallard on the verandah there havin' a cooler, " and then, to heramusement and Grainger's astonishment, Mr. Dick Scott introduced her. 

"This is Miss Caroline, boss. I picked her up at the 'Royal, '" and then, without another word, he marched off again with a proud consciousness ofhaving "done the perlite thing. "

"I am Sheila Carolan, Mr. Grainger. I was at the 'Royal 'asking for Mr. Mallard when Mr. Scott kindly brought me here. "

"I am delighted to meet you, Miss Carolan, " said Grainger, who had risenand extended his hand. "I had not the slightest idea you had arrived. "And then he introduced her to his sister and Mallard. 

"Now, Miss Carolan, please let me give you a glass of this--it is simplylovely and cold, " said Myra, pouring some champagne into a glass withsome crashed ice in it. "My brother is the proad possessor of a big butrapidly diminishing lump of ice, which was sent to him by the captain ofthe _Corea_ just now. "

"Thank you, Miss Grainger. I really am very thirsty. I have had quite alot of walking about to-day. I have a letter to you, Mr. Mallard, fromMrs. Farrow, " and she handed the missive to him. 

"I am so very sorry I did not know of your arrival, Miss Carolan, " saidMallard. "I would have met you on board, but, as a matter of fact, I didnot expect you in the _Corea_, as she is a very slow boat. "

"I was anxious to get to Mrs. Farrow, " Sheila explained, "and so tookthe first steamer. "

"Where are you staying, Miss Carolan?" asked Myra. 

"Oh, I've been very fortunate. I have actually secured a room at'Magnetic Villa, ' on Melton Hill; in fact I went there just after youhad left. "

Myra clapped her hands with delight. "Oh, how lovely! I shall be therefor a week, and my brother and Mr. Mallard are staying there as well. "

"So Mrs. Lee Trappème informed me, " said Sheila with a bright smile. 

Mallard--an irrepressible joker and mimic--at once threw back his head, crossed his hands over his chest, and bowed in such an exact imitationof Mrs. Trappème that a burst of laughter followed. 

"Now you two boys can run away and play marbles for a while, as MissCarolan and I want to have a little talk before we go to the 'refinedfamily circle' for dinner, " said Myra to her brother. "It is now sixo'clock; our luggage has gone up, and so, if you will come back for usin half an hour, we will let you escort us there--to the envy of all themale population of this horrid, dusty, noisy town. "

"Very well, " said Grainger with a laugh, "Mallard and I will contrive toexist until then, " and the two men went off into the billiard-room. 

"Now, Miss Carolan, " said the lively Myra, as she opened the door ofthe sitting-room and carried in the table on which were the glasses, champagne bottle, and ice, "we'll put these inside first. The sight ofthat ice will make every man who may happen to see it and who knows Tedcome and introduce himself to me. Oh, this is a very funny country! I'mafraid it rather shocked you to see me drinking champagne on an hotelverandah in full view of passers-by. But, really, the whole town isexcited--it has gold-fever on the brain--and then all the men are sonice, although their free and easy ways used to astonish me considerablyat first. But diggers especially are such manly men---you know what Imean. "

"Oh, quite. I know I shall like North Queensland. There were quite anumber of diggers on board the _Carea_, and one night we held a concertin the saloon and I sang 'The Kerry Dance'--I'm an Irishwoman--and nextmorning a big man named O'Hagan, one of the steerage passengers, came upand asked me if I would 'moind acceptin' a wee bit av a stone, ' and hehanded me a lovely specimen of quartz with quite two ounces of gold init. He told me he had found it on the Shotover River, in New Zealand. I didn't know what to say or do at first, and then he paid me such acompliment that I fairly tingled all over with vanity. 'Sure an' ye'lltake the wee bit av a stone from me, miss, ' he said. 'I'm a Kerry manmeself, an' when I heard yez singin' "The Kerry Dance, " meself and halfa dozen more men from the oold sod felt that if ye were a man we'd havecarried yez around the deck in a chair. "

"How nice of him!" said Myra; "but they are all like that. Nearly everyone of my brother's men at Chinkie's Flat gave me something in the wayof gold specimens when I left there. "

"Then, " resumed Sheila, "in the afternoon _all_ the steerage passengerssent me and the captain what they call a 'round robin, ' and asked if hewould let them have a concert in the steerage, and if I would sing. And we did have it--on the deck--and I had to sing that particular song_three_ times. "

"I wish I had been there! Do you know, Miss Carolan, that that big manwho brought you here--Dick Scott--rough and uneducated as he is, is agentleman. On our way down from Chinkie's Flat we had to swim our horsesacross the Ross River, which was in flood. When we reached the otherside I was, of course, wet through, and my hair had come down, and Ilooked like a half-drowned cat, I suppose. There is a public-house onthis side of the Ross, and we went there at once to change our clothes, which were in canvas saddle bags on a pack-horse, and came over dry. The public-house was full of people, among whom were three commercialtravellers, who were doing what is called 'painting the place red'--theywere all half-intoxicated. As I came in wet and dripping they leered atme, and one of them said, 'Look at the sweet little ducky--poor littledarling--with her pitty ickle facey-wacey all wet and coldy-woldy. ' Tedwas not near me at the time, but Scott heard, and ten minutes later, as I was changing my clothes, I heard a dreadful noise, and the most_awful_ language, and then a lot of cheering. I dressed as quickly aspossible and went out into the dining-room, and there on the floor werethe three commercial travellers. Their faces looked simply dreadful, smothered in blood, and I felt quite sick. At the other end of the roomwere a lot of men, miners and stockmen, who were surrounding Dick Scott, slapping him on the back, and imploring him to drink with them. It seemsthat as soon as I had gone to my room to change, the valiant Dick hadtold them that the 'drummers' had insulted Mr. Grainger's sister, and ina few minutes the room was cleared and a ring formed, and Dick actuallydid what the landlord termed 'smashed up the whole three in fiveminutes. '"

"I'm sure I shall like Mr. Dick Scott, " said Sheila. "I had to try hardand not laugh when he pointed to you, and said in his big, deep voice, 'There they are, having a "cooler"'--I thought at first he meant youwere cooling yourselves. "

"Any drink is called a 'cooler, ' "explained Myra; "but, oh dear, how Ido chatter! The fact is, I'm so wildly excited, and want to talk somuch that I can't talk fast enough. But I _must_ first of all tell youthis--I'm really most sincerely glad to meet you, for I feel as if Iknew you well. Mrs. Farrow--I spent a week at Minerva Downs--told me youwere coming, and that she was longing to see you. I am sure you will bevery, very happy with her. She is the most lovable, sweet woman in theworld, and when she spoke of your mother her eyes filled with tears. Andthe children are simply _splendid_. I suppose I am unduly fond of thembecause they made so much of me, and think that my brother is the finestrider in the world--'and he is that, indade'--isn't that Irish?"

"Yes, " said Sheila smilingly, "that is Irish; and I am sure I shall bevery happy there. "

Myra Grainger, who was certainly, as she had said, wildly excited, suddenly moved her chair close to that on which Sheila sat. 

"Miss Carolan, I'm sure that you and I will always be great 'chums'--asthey say here in North Queensland--and I'm just dying to tell you ofsomething. Within this last hour I have become engaged to Mr. Mallard!Even Ted doesn't know it yet. Oh, I have heaps and heaps of things totell you. Can't we have a real, nice long talk to-night?"

"Indeed we can, " said Sheila, looking into the girl's bright, happyface. 

CHAPTER IX ~ DINNER WITH "THE REFINED FAMILY"

Somewhat to the annoyance of Grainger and his friends, they found ontheir arrival at "Magnetic Villa" that there were several other visitorsthere who had apparently come to dine. Whether they were personalfriends of Mrs. Trappème or not, or were "paying guests" likethemselves, they could not at first discover. 

"Dinner will be ready at eight o'clock, Miss Grainger, " said Mrs. Trappème sweetly to Myra, who with Sheila had been shown into theirprivate sitting-room; and then she added quickly, as she heard afootstep in the passage, "You have not met my daughter. Come, Juliette, dear--Miss Grainger, my eldest daughter; Miss Carolan, Miss Trappème. "

The two girls bowed rather coldly to Miss Trappème, who, after the usualcommonplaces, asked Miss Grainger if she were not tired. 

"Very--and so is Miss Carolan. We shall be glad of an hour's rest beforedinner. "

The hint was unmistakable, and Miss Trappème smiled herself out, inwardly raging at what she told her mother was Sheila's forwardness inso soon thrusting herself upon Miss Grainger. 

As she went out, Sheila looked at Myra and laughed. "We are certainlymeant to be treated as members of the family, whether we like it ornot. I wonder if the other people we saw are as pushful as 'Mamma' and'Juliette. '"

"I trust not; that would be awful--even for a week. "

Mallard was in Grainger's room, sprawled out on the bed, talking tohim and smoking, whilst the latter was opening a leather trunk whichcontained some bottles of whisky and soda water, and a small box whichheld the remains of the ice. 

"We can't let this 'melt on as, ' as the Irish would say, Mallard, " andhe placed it in the toilet basin in its covering of blanket. "Now moveyour lazy self and break a piece off with your knife, whilst I open thisbottle of Kinahan's and some soda. I trust the cultured family will notobject to the sound of a cork popping at seven o'clock. "

"Not they, " said Mallard, as he rose; "they would not mind if you tookthe whisky to the table and drank it out of the bottle. Oh, I can gaugethe old dame pretty well, I think; avarice is writ large in her face, and she'll squeeze us all she can. She told me in a mysterious asidethat the butler kept all the very best wines and liquor obtainable. Ithanked her, and said I usually provided my own. She didn't like it abit; but I'm not going to pay her a sovereign for a bottle of whisky orHennessey when I can get a case of either for a five-pound note. Oh!"he added disgustedly, "they're all alike. "

"Well, don't worry, old man, " said his friend philosophically, as hehanded him a glass; "there, take this. I wonder if Mrs. Trap--Trapper, or whatever her name is, thinks we are going to dress for dinner. Neither my sister nor Miss Carolan will, and I'm sure I'm not going toestablish a bad precedent. "

"Same here. If other people like to waste time dressing for dinner, letthem; this town is altogether too new and thriving a place for busy menlike ourselves to worry about evening dress. By the way, Grainger, I'vesome news for you that I trust will give you pleasure: your sister haspromised to marry me next year. "

Grainger grasped his friend's hand. "I'm glad, very glad, old man. I waswondering what made her so unusually bright this afternoon; but she haskept it dark. "

"Hasn't had a chance to tell you yet. I only asked her a couple of hoursago. "

"Well, let us go and see her and Miss Carolan before dinner. I can hearthem talking in the sitting-room. Hallo! who is that little fellow outthere crossing the lawn with the younger Miss Trappème. He's in fullfig. . "

Mallard looked out of the window and saw a very diminutive man inevening dress. 

"Oh, that's little Assheton, the new manager for the AustralianInsurance Company. He's just out from England. He's a fearfullyconceited ape, but a smart fellow at the insurance business. Great funat the 'Queen's' the other day with him. He came in, dressed in frockcoat, tall hat, and carrying a thick, curly stick as big as himself. Ofcourse every one smiled, and he took it badly--couldn't see what therewas to laugh at; and when old Charteris, the Commissioner, asked himhow much he would 'take for the hat, ' he put his monocle up and saidfreezingly, 'Sir, I do not know you. ' That made us simply howl, andthen, when we had subsided a bit, Morgan the barrister, who is here oncircuit with Judge Cooper, said in that fanny, deep, rumbling voice ofhis--

"'Are you, sir, one of the--ah--ah--circus company which--ah--arrivedto-day?'

"The poor little beggar was furious, lost his temper, and called us alot of ill-mannered, vulgar fellows, and then some one or other whippedoff the offending hat, threw it into the street, and made a cockshy ofit. 

"'I'll have satisfaction for this outrage!' he piped. 'Landlord, sendfor a policeman. I'll give all these men in charge. Your house is verydisorderly. Do you know _who_ I am?'

"'No, nor do I care, ' said old Cramp, down whose cheeks the tears wererunning; 'but if you'll come here like that every day, I'll give you asovereign, and we'll have the hat. Oh, you're better than any circus Iever saw. Oh, oh, oh!' and he went off into another fit. 

"The poor little man looked at us in a dazed sort of a way--thought uslunatics, and then when old Char-tens asked him not to mind a bit ofminers' horseplay, but to sit down and have some fizz, he called him 'anaudacious ruffian, ' and shrieked out--

"'I am Mr. B. D. Assheton--the manager of the Australian InsuranceCompany. Do you possibly imagine I would drink with a person _likeyou_?'"

Grainger laughed: "It must have been great fun. "

"Rather--but the cream of it is to come yet. He rushed oat into FlindersStreet, found Sergeant Doyle and a policeman, and came back panting andfurious, and pointing, to Charteris, told them to take him in charge. Doyle looked at us blankly, saw we were nearly dead with laughing, andthen took Assheton aside, and said in his beautiful brogue--

"'Me little mahn, it's drinkin' ye've been. Do yez want me to arrest thePo-liss Magisthrate himsilf? Who are ye at all, at all? Ye'd bettherbe after goin' home and lyin' down, or I'll lock ye up for making adishturbance. Do ye moind me now?'"

Grainger could no longer control his laughter, and in the midst of it, Myra tapped vigorously at the door, He rose and opened it. 

"Whatever is all this noise about, Ted? You two great boys!"

"Oh, take Mallard away, Myra, for heaven's sake!"

A little before eight o'clock the deafening clamour of a gong announceddinner, and the company filed in. Mrs. Trappème and the Misses Trappèmewere in "very much evening dress" as Sheila murmured to Myra, and theyseemed somewhat surprised that neither Miss Grainger nor Miss Carolanhad donned anything more unusual than perfectly-made dainty gowns ofcool white Indian muslin. Grainger and Mallard wore the usual white ducksuits (the most suitable and favoured dress for a climate like thatof torrid North Queensland), and Sheila could not but admire theirbig well-set-up figures--both were "six feet men"--and contrast theirhandsome, bronzed and bearded faces with the insignificant appearanceof Assheton and another gentleman in evening dress--a delicate butexceedingly gentlemanly young Scotsman. Of course there were moreintroductions--all of which were duly and unnecessarily carried out byMrs. Trappème. Others of that lady's guests were the local Episcopalianclergyman and his wife--the former was a placid, dreamy-looking, mildcreature, with soft, kindly eyes. He smiled at everybody, was evidentlyin abject terror of his wife--a hard-featured lady about ten years hissenior, with high cheek-bones and an exceedingly corrugated neck andshoulders. She eyed Myra and Sheila with cold dissatisfaction, andafter dinner had once begun, devoted herself to the task of extractinginformation from the latter regarding her future movements. She hadalready discussed her with Mrs. Trappème, and had informed her hostessthat she had "suspicions" about a girl who affected mystery in theslightest degree, and who could afford to pay six guineas a week forsimple board and lodging. 

"Quite so, Mrs. Wooler, " Mrs. Trappème had assented; "I must confess itdoesn't look quite right. Even Juliette thinks it very strange for herto be so reticent as to who she is and where she is going. Of course Icould have refused to receive her, and am now rather sorry I did not. Iunderstood from her that Mr. Grainger was an utter stranger to her--andI was quite surprised to see them all come in together as if they hadknown each other for years. Not quite correct, I think. "

"Mr. Grainger is very rich, " said the clergyman's wife meditatively. 

"Very, " said her friend, who knew that Mrs. Wooler meant to do a littlebegging (for church purposes) as soon as opportunity offered. 

"It would be a pity for him to be involved with such a--aforward-looking young person, " she said charitably. 

But for the first quarter of an hour she had no opportunity ofsatisfying her curiosity, for Sheila was quite hungry enough not towaste too much time in conversation. At last, however, a chance came, when Mr. Assheton said in his mincing voice--

"I believe, Miss Carolan, that like me, you are quite a new arrival inthis country. "

"Oh, dear no! I have lived here ever since I was two years old. "

"Heah! in Townsville?"

"I meant Australia, " Sheila observed placidly. 

"Then you are not an Australian born, Miss Carolan?" put in Mrs. Woolerwith a peculiarly irritating condescension of manner and surprisedtone, as if she meant to say, "I am sure you are--you certainly are notlady-like enough to be an English girl. "

"No, I am not, " was the reply. "Do you think you will like Queensland, Mr. Assheton?"

"I really have as yet formed no definite impression. Possibly I may inthe end contrive to like it. "

"Do. It would be a great pity for the country if you did not, " saidSheila gravely, without moving an eyelid. 

"Do you purpose making a long stay in Queensland, Miss Carolan?" pursuedMrs. Wooler. 

"A very long one, perhaps--perhaps on the other hand a very short one. Or it may be that I may adopt a middle course, and do neither. "

Grainger, who was opposite, heard her, and as she looked across at him, he saw that she was "playing" her questioner and quite enjoying it. 

Never for one moment did the clergyman's wife dream that Sheila meantto be anything else but evasive, so she followed up. To her mind itwas absolutely incredible that any woman would dare to snub her--Mrs. Wooler--daughter of a dean, and possessing an uncle who had on severaloccasions been spoken of by the Bishop of Dullington as his probablesuccessor; such a thing was impossible!

"I presume, however, that your stay in Townsville itself will be short, Miss Carolan? You will find it a very expensive place--especially if youhave no friends to whom you can go. "

Sheila's face flushed. Her blood was getting up, and Myra looked at hernervously. 

"Is there no 'Girls' Friendly Society, ' 'Young Women's ChristianAssociation, ' or other kindred institution, where I could 'be taken inand done for'?" she asked sweetly. 

"Not as yet; but I am thinking of taking steps to found a Girls'Friendly Society. Such an institution will soon be a necessity in agrowing place like this. "

"How nice it would be for me to go there instead of staying at--at aboarding house!"

Juliette Trappème's sallow face flushed with rage, and Mrs. Trappème, who saw that something was occurring, spoke loudly to Mr. Wooler, whoanswered in his usual soft voice. But Mallard, who was seated next toMiss Lilla Trappème, shot Sheila an encouraging glance. 

"Quite so, " went on Mrs. Wooler. "I disapprove most strongly of anyyoung woman incurring risks that can be avoided. "

"What risks?" and Sheila turned and looked steadily at Mrs. Wooler. 

The sharp query somewhat upset the inquisitive lady, who hardly knewwhat she meant herself. 

"Oh, the risks of getting into debt--living beyond one's means--andthings like that. "

"Oh, I see, madam, " and Sheila bowed gravely, although the dangersignals were showing now on her cheeks. Then she added very clearly anddistinctly, "That would be most dreadful to happen to any one, would itnot, Mr. Assheton?"

"Oh, howwible--for a lady. "

"But, " she went on--and as she spoke she gazed so intently into Mrs. Wooler's face that every one at the table saw her change colour--"butI am sure, Mrs. Wooler, that no girl could possibly come to such a sadcondition while _you_ are in Townsville, to give her the benefit of_your_ years, _your_ advice, and _your_ experience--even though thatadvice was thrust upon her in a manner that I believe might possiblycause well-deserved resentment, " and then, with a scornful smile stillon her lips, she turned to Mr. Assheton and asked him sweetly if he didnot "think it was beginning to be very warm so early in the year?"

"By heavens!" mattered Mallard to Myra, "she has done the parson womangood. Look at her face. It's unpleasant to look at. "

Mrs. Wooler's features were a study. Unable to speak, and her handstrembling with rage, she gave the girl one glance of hatred, and thentried to eat; and Viveash, who had the sense to do so, at once begantelling her some idiotic and pointless story about himself when he sangin a cathedral choir until his voice "failed him. "

Just then a long ring was heard at the front door, and the butlerpresently came to Mallard, and said--

"One of the reporters, sir, from the _Champion_ wishes to see you. Mostimportant, sir, he says. Will you please see him at once?"

Making his excuses, Mallard left the dining-room and went into one ofthe sitting-rooms, where the reporter was awaiting him. 

CHAPTER X ~ THE "CHAMPION" ISSUES A "SPECIAL"

Ten minutes later Mallard was at the hall door giving instructions tothe reporter. 

"Hurry back as fast as you can, Winthrop, and tell Mr. Flynn to rashthe special through. And as fast as any farther news come in rapout another. Get all the boys you can, and distribute the specialseverywhere--anywhere. Chuck some over into the cemetery--they'll makethe dead 'get up and holler. ' Tell the boys that they are not to makeany charge--get the foreman to head it 'Special! Gratis! (Any onenewsboy who makes a charge for this special will be immediatelydismissed. )' See? And tell the boys they will get five shillings eachextra in the morning. I'll be down in another twenty minâtes or so. Goon, Winthrop, loop!"

Mr. Winthrop, who was as excited as Mallard himself, "looped, " and theeditor returned to the dining-room with a galley-proof slip in his hand. Every one, of coarse, saw by his face that something had occurred. 

"I won't sit down again, Mrs. Trappème, if you and the other ladieswill excuse me, for I have to hurry back to the office to attend to someimportant business. There is great news. " Then, bending down, he placedhis hand on Grainger's shoulder, and whispered, "You must come with me, old man. There is glorious news from Chinkie's. I'll tell you all aboutit in a minute, as soon as we are outside. Make your apologies and letus go, " and then going over to Mrs. Trappème, he handed her the proof toread to her guests and hurried out with Grainger, leaving every one inthe room eager to learn what had occurred. 

"Oh, dear me!" began Mrs. Lee-Trappème, adjusting her pince-nez, whichalways interfered with her sight. 

 "SPECIAL. 'TOWNSVILLE CHAMPION. '

 "WRECK. 

 "9 P. M. , May 2nd. "Authentic news has just reached the _Champion_ office that the mail steamer _Flintshire_ was wrecked on the Great Barrier Beef three days ago (the 5th). All the crew and passengers--200 in number-were saved, and are now on their way to Townsville. [Further particulars later. ]"

 "DREADFUL MASSACRE BY THE NOTORIOUS BLACK OUTLAWS. 

 "The Clonourry mail, which has been delayed by floods, brings news of a terrible massacre perpetrated by the ootlaw black ex-troopers Sandy and Daylight. A party of five miners who were camped at a lagoon near Dry Creek were surprised and murdered in their sleep by the two outlaws and a number of myall blacks. The bodies were found by the mail man. Inspector Lamington and a patrol of Native Polioe leave to- morrow to punish the murderers. Detailed particulars of the affair will be given in to-morrow's issue--Mudoch, the mail man, being too exhausted to stand the test of a long interview to-night. "

 "WONDERFUL GOLD DISCOVERY NEAR CHINKIN'S FLAT. 

 "A NEW EL DORADO. "MR. GRAINGER AND HIS PARTNERS THE LUCKY MEN. 

 "By the Clonourry mail, which brought intelligence of the tragedy at Dry Creek, also comes most pleasurably exciting news. The 'Ever Victorious Grainger, ' as his many friends often designate him, some months ago sent out a prospecting party to try the country near the headwaters of Banshee Greek, with the result that probably the richest alluvial field in Australia has been discovered. Over 2, 000 os. Of gold--principally in nuggets ranging from 100 oz. To 2 oz. -- have already been taken by Mr. Grainger's party. Warden Charteris, accompanied by an escort of white and black polioe, leaves for the place to-morrow night. The news of this wonderfully rich field has been two weeks reaching Townsville owing to the flooded condition of the country between Banshee Creek and Chinkie's Flat. 

 "Mr. Grainger is at present in this city on a short visit. His good fortune will benefit the country at large as well as himself and his energetic partners. "

"Dear me, how very exciting to be getting gold so easily!" said Mrs. Trappème, as she laid the proof on the table; "your brother will bedelighted, Miss Grainger. "

"He will be pleased, of course, " absented Myra. "He always had a beliefthat a rich alluvial gold-field would be discovered in the BansheeCreek country. He sent this particular prospecting party away nearly twomonths ago. "

"What a hawwid story about the murdered diggahs!" said Mr. Assheton toMyra. "Did it occur neah where you were living, Miss Graingah?"

"About a hundred miles further westward, towards the Minerva Downsdistrict. These two men, Sandy and Daylight, have committed quite anumber of murders during the past two years. They killed five or sixpoor Chinese diggers on the Cloncurry Road last year. They are both wellarmed, and it is almost impossible to capture them, as they retreat tothe ranges whenever pursued. "

"They are a most ferocious and desperate pair, " said Mr. Wooler, whothen told their story, which was this:--

Some two or three years previously Sandy and Daylight, who belonged toone of the Native Police camps in the Gulf district, {*} had, while outon patrol, urged one of their comrades to join with them in murderingtheir white officer and then absconding. The other man refused, and, later on in the day, secretly told the officer that he was in greatdanger of being shot if he rode on ahead of the patrol as usual. As soonas the party returned to camp the two traitors were quietly disarmed, handcuffed, and then chained to a log till the morning. During the nightthey managed to free themselves (aided, no doubt, by the trooper who wasdetailed to guard them), killed the man who had refused to join them bycleaving his skull open with a blow from a tomahawk, and then decampedto the ranges with their rifles and ammunition. They found a refuge andsafe retreat with the savage myalls (wild blacks) inhabiting the graniteranges, and then began a career of robbery and murder. Small parties ofprospectors found it almost impossible to pursue their vocation in the"myall country, " for the dreaded ex-troopers and their treacherous andcannibal allies were ever, on the watch to cut them off. In the courseof a few months, by surprising and killing two unfortunate Chinesepackers, the desperadoes became possessed of their repeating riflesand a lot of ammunition, and the old single-shot police carbines werediscarded for the more effective weapons. Sandy, who was the leader, wasa noted shot, and he and his companion now began to haunt thevicinity of isolated mining camps situated in country of the roughestdescription. Parties of two or three men who had perhaps locatedthemselves in some almost inaccessible spot would go on working for afew weeks in apparent security, leaving one of their number to guardthe camp and horses, and on returning from their toil would find theircomrade dead or severely wounded, the camp rifled of everything itcontained, and the horses speared; and the hardy and adventurouspioneers would have to retreat to one of the main mining camps, situatedperhaps fifty miles away, with nothing left to them but the hard-wongold they had saved and their mining tools, but ready and eager toventure forth again. 

 * Gulf of Carpentaria. 

One day, so the clergyman related, a man named Potter was travellingfrom Burketown to Port Denison, and camped beside a small water-hole torest until the morning. After unsaddling and hobbling out the horse hehad been riding, and unloading the pack-horse, he threw his packbags atthe foot of a Leichhardt tree, lit a fire, and began to boil a billy oftea. He knew that he was in dangerous country, and that it was unwise ofhim to light a fire, but being of a reckless disposition, and having afirm belief in his luck, he took no further precaution beyond openingthe flap of his revolver pouch. 

He had just taken out a piece of damper and some salt meat, which, withthe hot tea, were to be his supper, when he was startled to hear someone address him by name, and looking up, he saw a powerfully-built blackfellow with a long black beard and smiling face standing a dozen yardsor so away. He was all but nude, but round his waist was buokled a broadleather police belt with two ammunition pouches; in his right hand hecarried a repeating rifle. 

"Don't you know me, Mr. Potter?" he said in excellent English. 

Potter recognised him at once, and the two shook hands. 

"Why, you're Sandy! Have you left the police?" (He knew nothing of whathad occurred. )

"Yes, " was the reply, "I skipped, " and carelessly putting his rifledown, he asked Potter if he had any tobacco to spare. 

"Yes, I can give you a few plugs, " and going to his saddle bags heproduced four square plugs of tobacco, which he handed to his visitor, who took them eagerly, at once produced a silver-mounted pipe (probablytaken from some murdered digger) filled it, and began to smoke and talk. 

"My word, Mr. Potter, " he said with easy familiarity, "it is a goodthing for you that I knew you, " and he showed his white, even teeth in asmile. "But I haven't forgot that when I got speared on the Albert Riverfive years ago you drove me into Burketown in your buggy to get a doctorfor me. " (He had formerly been one of Potter's stockmen, and had beenbadly wounded in an encounter with wild blacks. )

Potter made some apparently careless reply. He knew that Sandy, thoughan excellent stockman, had always had a bad record, and indeed he hadbeen compelled to dismiss him on account of his dangerous temper. Heheard later on that the man had joined the Black Police, and a deserterfrom the Black Police is in nine cases out of ten an unmitigatedvillain. 

Then Sandy became communicative, and frankly told his involuntary hostpart--but part only--of his story, and wound up by saying--

"You must not sleep here to-night. There is a big mob of myalls campedin the river-bed three miles away from here. If they see you, they'llkill you for certain between now and to-morrow night, when you are goingthrough some of the gorges. You must saddle up again, and I'll take youalong another track and leave you safe. "

Tired as the horses were, Potter took Sandy's advice, and the twostarted at sunset, the blackfellow leading. They travelled for somehours, and then again camped--this time without a fire. Sandy remainedtill daylight, and during a further conversation boasted that he hadenough gold in nuggets to allow him to have "a fine time in Sydney orMelbourne, " where he meant to make his way some day "when things gota bit quiet and people thought he was dead. " In proof of his assertionabout the gold he gave Potter a two ounce nugget he picked out fromseveral others which were carried in one of his ammunition pouches. Before they parted Potter gave him--at his particular request--one ofthe two blankets he carried, and then Sandy and he shook hands, and theblackfellow, rifle in hand, disappeared, and left his former master tocontinue his journey. 

"What a hawwid chawacter!" said Mr. Assheton, when the clergyman hadconcluded his story. "Why don't the police exert themselves and catch orshoot the fellow?"

"It is such very difficult country, " explained Myra, "and, in fact, hasnot yet all been explored. "

The ladies rose, and Myra and Sheila, pleading fatigue, went to theirrooms--or rather to Myra's--leaving Mrs. And Miss Trappème and Mrs. Wooler to, as Sheila said, "Tear me to pieces. But I could not let thatwoman insult me without retaliating. "

"Of course you did right. She's an odious creature. "

Grainger returned alone about eleven o'clock. He tapped at Myra's door, and asked her if she was asleep. 

"No. Miss Carolan is here; we've been having a lovely talk. "

"Well, go to bed, and have a lovely sleep. I want to see you both, especially Miss Carolan, very early in the morning. We can all go out onthe beach before breakfast. "

"Very well, Ted. Has Mr. Mallard come in?"

"No. He will not be here for another half-hour or more. Good-night. "

Mrs. Trappème had heard his voice, and quietly opened the door of herown sitting-room, where she and Juliette (Mrs. Wooler had gone) had beendiscussing Sheila's delinquencies. 

"Well!" gasped the mother to her daughter, as she softly closed the dooragain. "What on earth _is_ going on, I should like to know! Did you hearthat--'I want to see you both very early, especially Miss Garolan'? What_is_ there going on? I must go and see Mrs. Wooler in the morning andtell her. And on the beach too! Why can't they be more open?"

Master Mordaunt, who was in the corner devouring some jelly and pastrygiven to him by his fond mother, looked up and said, with distendedcheeks--

"Ain't the beach open enough?"

"Hold your tongue, you horrid little animal, " said the irate Juliette. 

CHAPTER XI ~ A CHANGE OF PLANS

Myra and Sheila, both early risers, were dressed and awaiting Graingeron the verandah when he came out of his room at seven o'clock, and theyat once descended the steep Melton Hill to the beach. The morning wasdelightfully fresh and cool, and the smooth waters of Cleveland Bay wererippling gently to a fresh southerly breeze. Eastward, and seven milesaway, the lofty green hills and darker-hued valleys of Magnetic Islandstood clearly out in the bright sunlight, and further to the north GreatPalm Island loomed purple-grey against the horizon. Overhead was a skyof clear blue, flecked here and there by a few fleecy clouds, and below, on the landward side, a long, long curve of yellow beach trending froma small rocky and tree-clad point on the south to the full-bosomed andmajestic sweep of Cape Halifax to the north. 

"What a lovely day!" exclaimed Sheila as Grainger, as soon as they haddescended the hill and stepped on the firm yellow sand, led them to aclump of black, shining rocks. "I wish I were a girl of twelve, so thatI could paddle about in the water. "

"There is nothing to stop you doing that at Minerva Downs, Miss Cardan, "said Grainger with a smile. "There is a lovely fresh-water lagoon there, with a dear sandy bottom, and the Farrow children--big and little--spenda good deal of their time there bathing and fishing. " Then, as the girlsseated themselves, he at once plunged into the subject uppermost in hismind. 

"Myra, the news that came through last night has put me in a bit of aquandary, both as regards you and Miss Carolan. Now tell me, would youmind very much if I left you to-day and returned to Chinkie's Flat?"

"No, indeed, Ted. Surely I would not be so selfish as to interfere withyour business arrangements!"

"That's a good little girl. I did want to stay in Townsville for a weekor two after you had left, then I could have taken Miss Carolan as faras Chinkie's Flat on her way to Minerva Downs. But I can do somethingbetter, as far as she is concerned. You will only be here for a week, and you can suffer the Trappème people for that time. Mallard"--and hesmiled--"will no doubt try to make the time pass pleasantly for you. "

"Don't be so silly, Ted. Get to the point about Miss Carolan. When isshe leaving?"

"To-day--if you will, Miss Carolan--with me. The Warden and his troopersare leaving at noon for the new rush; and Charteris, when I explainedthings to him (I saw him last night at Mallard's office) said he will bevery pleased if we will come with him. Will it be too much of a rush foryou?"

"Oh no, Mr. Grainger! But I have no horse, " and then, as she thoughtof leaving her newly-found girl friend so soon, she looked a littlemiserable, and her hand stole into Myra's. 

"Oh, that's all right, " said Grainger cheerfully. "I've two foryou--Myra's, and one Charteris is lending me for you. Can you ride hardand fast? Charteris is a terror of a man for pushing along to a newrush. "

"I won't make him feel cross, I assure you, Mr. Grainger. "

"Then it's decided. " (Sheila well knew that whether | she had or had notdecided, he had; yet though dimly resentful, she was quite content whenshe looked into his quiet grey eyes. ) "You see, Miss Carolan, it's quitelikely I may be able to go all the way with you to Minerva Downs, andtherefore we ought not to miss travelling with the Commissioner asfar as he goes. Sub-Inspector Lamington, of the Native Police, isalso coming with us. He's off on a wild goose--or rather, a wildnigger--chase after Sandy and Daylight and their myall friends. If, when we get to Chinkie's Flat, I find that I _must_ go with Charteris tothe new rush, your friend Dick Scott and my own trusty black boy Jackywill take you on to Minerva Downs. You can travel with Lamington andhis troopers part of the way after you leave Chinkie's. Take some lightluggage on a pack-horse--the rest, I am sorry to say, will have to comeon from here by bullock team. But it is not unlikely that I may be ableto take you all the way. "

"I am very, very grateful to you, Mr. Grainger, " said Sheila. "I fear Iam going to prove a great encumbrance to you. "

"Oh, Ted is a dear old brother!" said Myra, patting his brown, sun-tanned hand affectionately. 

After a walk along the beach as far as the small, rocky point, theyreturned to breakfast, and great was Mrs. Trappème's astonishment whenGrainger informed her that he was leaving in a few hours. 

"Not for long, I trust?" she said graciously, bearing in mind that hehad told her he might remain for a week or two after Myra had left. 

"I do not think I shall be in Townsville again for some months, " hereplied, as he handed her fourteen guineas. "This is for the week for mysister and for me. "

"Thank you, " said the lady, with a dignified bow--for she felt a littleresentful at his not telling her more. Then she said with a sweet smile, "We will take good care of Miss Grainger. Either my daughters or I willbe delighted to see her safely on board the steamer. "

"Thank you; but Mr. Mallard will do that. "

"Oh, indeed!" said the lady, with unmistakable disappointment in hervoice, and then Grainger, without saying a word about Sheila, went tohis room to pack, and talk to Mallard, who had not yet risen. 

"I wonder if Mr. Mallard is leaving too now that his friend is going, "anxiously said Juliette a few minutes later. 

"If he does I shall insist upon having the ful six guineas, " remarkedher mother angrily. "No, on second thoughts I won't _ask_ for it. Whether he leaves or not, I may find him very useful. I quite mean toask him to every day publish a 'list of guests at "Magnetic Villa. "'"

"Miss Carolan wud like to see yez, mum, if ye are dishengaged, " saidMary, entering the room. 

Sheila was in the drawing-room, and thither Mrs. Trappème sailed. 

"I shall be leaving Townsville to-day, I find, " she said politely. "Would it be inconvenient for you to have my luggage sent to Hanran &Co. , who will store it for me until I need it?"

Mrs. Trappème's curiosity was intense, but she remembered Mrs. Wooler'sexperience of the previous evening--and feared. And then she had had thegirl's money in advance. 

"Oh, I am so sorry you are going, " she said, with a would-be motherlysmile. "Of course I will send it anywhere you wish--but why not leaveit here in my care?" And then she could not resist asking one question:"Are you going to Minerva Downs, Miss Carolan, may I ask?"

"Yes; I am going there. "

"What a dreadfully long journey for you! Does it not alarm you? And youare surely not travelling alone?"

"Oh, no; I am fortunate in having quite a large escort. Will you sendthe luggage down as soon as possible, Mrs. Trappème?"

"Certainly, " replied the lady--this time with a stiff bow; for she wasnow inwardly raging at not having learnt more. Then she went off to tellJuliette this new development. 

At ten o'clock, after Mallard had breakfasted, he and Grainger (thelatter bidding Mrs. And the Misses Trappème a polite goodbye) wentaway, and shortly after Dick Scott appeared, leading a pack-horse. Hetook off the empty bags, and marched up to the front door. 

"Mr. Grainger has sent these to Miss Caroline, miss, " he said to LillaTrappème, "and will you please ask her to put her things into 'em andI'll wait?"

Myra helped Sheila pack some clothing, rugs, &c, into the bags, and Marytook them out to the burly Dick. 

"By jingo! you're the finest woman I've seen here yet, " said he affablyto the blushing Mary. "Now, will you tell Miss Caroline and MissGrainger that I'll be up with the horses in half an hour? Goodbye, bright eyes. "

He returned within the time, riding his own horse and leading twoothers. 

"Sidesaddles, " said Juliette to her mother as they watched through thedining-room windows the big digger dismount and hang the horses' reinsover the front gate. 

As he strode across the lawn, they heard Mary's voice in the hall. Itsounded as if she were half crying. 

"Goodbye, miss, and Hivin's blessin' on ye; and may God sind ye a goodhusband. "

A moment or two later she entered, wiping her eyes. "The ladies aregoin', and wish to spake to yez, " she said. 

Mrs. Trappème and her daughters rose, as Myra and Sheila, clad in theirneatly-fitting habits, came into the room. 

"I am going to accompany Miss Carolan and my brother for a few miles, Mrs. Trappème, so I shall not be here for lunch, " said Myra. 

"Oh, indeed, " said Mrs. Trappème faintly; and then, with a pleasantsmile from Myra, and a coldly polite bow from Sheila, they were gone. 

Scott swung them up into their saddles, and in another minute they weredescending the hill. 

Mother and daughter looked at each other. 

"So she's going with Mr. Grainger, " said Juliette, with an unpleasanttwitch of her thin lips; "the--the little _cat!_ I'd like to see herfall off!"

"Never mind her--she's gone now--and I have had six guineas from her, "remarked her amiable mamma. "Now, if you are coming into Flinders Streetwith me, make haste, and don't sit grizzling. "

Poor Juliette! Poor Mrs. Lee-Trappème! When they descended the hill andemerged out into Flinders Street, they found the side-path crowded withpeople, who were all gazing into the great yard of the Queen's Hotel, from which was emerging a cavalcade. First came four people--thewhite-bearded Charteris with Myra, and Grainger with Sheila; after thema sergeant and six white police, and ten Native Police with carbines onthighs, and then Dick Scott and dark-faced Inspector Lamington; behindfollowed a troop of spare horses. 

As they swung through the gates, the crowd cheered as Charteris gavethe word, and the whole party went off at a sharp canter down the long, winding street. 

CHAPTER XII ~ SHEILA BECOMES ONE OF A VERY "UNREFINED" CIRCLE

The night wind was soughing mournfully through the dark line of she-oaksfringing the banks of a small, swiftly-running creek, when Sheila wasawakened by some one calling to her from outside the little tent inwhich she was sleeping. She sat up and looked out. 

"Did you call me, Mr. Grainger?"

"Yes. There is a storm coming down from the ranges. Sorry to awaken you, but we want to make your tent more secure. "

Aided by Scott, whose giant figure Sheila could scarcely discern--sodark was the night--Grainger soon had the tent prepared to resist thestorm. As they worked, there came such an appalling thunderclap thatit shook the ground beneath her, and for some minutes she was unable tohear even the droning roar of the rain-laden tornado that came tearingdown from the mountains, snapping off the branches of the gum-trees, bending low the pliant boles of the moaning she-oaks, and lifting thewaters of the creek up in sheets. 

A hand touched her face in the Cimmerian darkness, and Dick Scott'svoice (he was shouting with all the strength of his mighty lungs) seemedto whisper--

"Lie down, miss; lie down, and don't be afeerd. The tent will stand, aswe are pretty well sheltered here, and------"

Another fearful thunderclap cut short his words, and she instinctivelyclutched his hand. She was used to terrific thunderstorms in New SouthWales, but she had neyer heard anything so awful as this--it seemed asif the heavens had burst. 

"Where is Mr. Grainger?" she asked, putting her lips to Dick's ear andspeaking loudly. 

"Here, beside me, miss. "

"And poor Jacky! Where is he?"

"We'll find out presently, miss. Most likely the horses have clearedout, and he's gone after 'em, " shouted Scott. 

For another five minutes the howling fury of the wind and the hissingof the rain rendered any further conversation impossible. Then came asudden lull of both. Grainger struck a match and lit a small lantern hewas holding, and Sheila felt a great satisfaction as the light showedupon his face---calm and quiet as ever--as he looked at her and smiled. 

"You must pardon us coming into the tent, Miss Carolan, but we wanted tolight and leave the lantern with you. I'm afraid the horses have boltedfor shelter into the sandalwood scrub lower down the creek, or into thegullies, and Jacky has gone after them. Will you mind staying here alonefor an hour or two whilst Scott and I help him to find them?"

"Not at all, " she replied bravely, "and I really do not need the light. I am not at all afraid. "

"I know that, Miss Garolan. But it will serve to show us the way back. "(This was merely a kindly fiction. ) "And if, during a lull in the rain, you should hear any of the horses' bells, will you fire two shots fromthat Winchester rifle there beside you? It is possible that they maybe quite near to us. Old Euchre" (one of the pack-horses) "has as muchsense as a Christian, and it is quite likely that whilst Scott, Jacky, and I are looking for them in the scrub, he will lead them back here. "

Then placing the lantern beside her, and partly shielding it with asaddle cloth to protect it more folly from the gusts of wind, he andScott went out into the blackness. 

She heard Scott a minute or two later give a loud _Coo-ee!_ for Jacky, and fancied she heard an answering cry from the blackboy, a longdistance away. Then the rain again descended in a torrential downpour, and drowned out all other sounds. 

*****

Two weeks had passed since Sheila had left Townsville with Graingerand the hard-riding old Warden and the swarthy-faced Lamington and hissavage-eyed, half-civilised troopers. At Chinkie's Flat they had learntthat there were now three hundred white miners at the new rush onBanshee Creek, but that everything was quiet, and that no disputes ofany kind had occurred, and all that Charteris would have to do would beto visit the place, and, according to the "Gold-fields Act, " proclaimBanshee Creek to be a new gold-field. So, after spending a nightat Grainger's new house, built on the ridge overlooking the "EverVictorious" battery, with its clamorous stampers pounding away night andday, the Warden bid Sheila and Grainger goodbye, and rode off with hishardy white police, leaving Lamington and his black, legalised murderersto go their own way in pursuit of Sandy and Daylight, and "disperse" themyalls--if they could find them--such dispersion meaning the shooting ofwomen and children as well as men. 

Now, the truth is, that Grainger should have gone on with the Wardento the new rush, where his prospecting party was anxiously awaiting hisarrival; but he was deeply in love with Sheila Carolan, and she withhim, although she did not know it. But she was mightily pleased when the"Ever Victorious" Grainger told her that he was going to take her allthe way to Minerva Downs, as he "wanted to see Farrow about buying ahundred bullocks to send to the new rush at Banshee Creek. " (This wasperfectly true, but he could very easily have dispatched a letter toFarrow, who would have sent the bullocks to the meat-hungry diggers as amatter of business. )

As she had stood on the verandah of Grainger's house in the earlymorning, watching Charteris and his troopers depart, and listening tothe clang and thud of the five-and-twenty stampers of the new batteryof the "Ever Victorious" pounding out the rich golden quartz, handsome, swarthy-faced Sub-Inspector Lamington ascended the steps and bade hergood morning. 

"So you and Grainger travel with me for another ninety miles or so, MissCarolan, " he said with undisguised pleasure. "Will you be ready soon?"

"In half an hour. "

"Ah, that's right. My boys and I are anxious to get to work, " and hewent on to the horse yard. 

Sheila could not help a slight shudder as she heard the soft-voiced, _debonnair_ Lamington speak of his "work. " She knew what it meant--ascore or two of stilled, bullet-riddled figures of men, women, andchildren lying about in the hot desert sand, or in the dark shades ofsome mountain scrub. 

Charteris had told her Lamington's story. He was the only survivor of anentire family who had been massacred by the blacks of Fraser's Island, and had grown up with but one object in life--to kill every wild blackhe came across. For this purpose alone he had joined the Native Police, and there were dark tales whispered of what he had done. But theauthorities considered him "a good man, " and when he and his fiercetroopers rode into town and reported that a mob of wild blacks had been"dispersed, " no one ventured to ask him any questions, but every oneknew what had occurred. 

So with Lamington and his silent, grim Danites, Sheila, Grainger, Scott, and Jacky travelled together for nearly a hundred miles, and then thetwo companies separated--Lamington heading towards that part of theforbidding-looking mountain range where he hoped to find his prey, andGrainger and his party keeping on to the west. 

"It's dangerous country, Grainger, " the police officer said as he badethem goodbye. "There are any amount of niggers all around, so you willneed to be careful about your fire at night. Shift your camp a good halfmile after you have lit your fire and had supper. "

Grainger smiled. "I've been through the mill, Lamington. But I don'tthink we shall have any trouble unless you head them off and send Sandyand his friends down on to us. "

"I do mean to head them off, and drive them down from the range intothe spinifex country about thirty miles from here, when I can roundthem up, " said Lamington softly, as if he were speaking of driving game. "Sorry you won't be with me to see the fun. The £500 reward for theproduction of Messieurs Sandy and Daylight--alive or dead--I alreadyconsider as mine. It will give up a trip to Melbourne to see the Cupnext year. "

"But you can't claim the money--you're an official. "

"This is an exceptional case, and no distinction is to be madebetween civilians and policemen--the Government does sensible things_sometimes_. "

 * * * * *

Two hours passed, and Sheila, anxiously awaiting the sound of thehorses' bells, or the reappearance of Grainger and Scott, began to feelthat something had gone amiss. The storm had ceased, and when she roseand stepped outside she saw that a few stars were shining. Seatingherself upon a granite boulder, she listened intently, but the onlysound that broke the black silence of the night was the rushing of thewaters of the creek. 

She placed her hands to her mouth, and was about to give a loud_Coo-ee!_ when her pride stopped her. 

"If they hear me, " she thought, "they will think I am frightened. "

She went back into the tent and again lay down, and tried by the lightof the lantern to read a book which Myra Grainger had given her. Herwatch had stopped, and when she put the book aride she knew that thedawn was near for the harsh cackle of a wild pheasant sounded from thebranches of a Leichhardt tree near by, and was answered by the shrill, screaming notes of a flock of king-parrots which the storm had driven tosettle amidst the thick, dense scrub on the bank of the creek. 

Quite suddenly she became aware that something was moving about in thegrass outside the tent, and a thrill of alarm made her instinctivelyclutch the Winchester rifle beside her. Surely there was some one there, whispering! Very quietly she sat up and waited. Yes, there certainlywere people outside, and a cold chill of terror possessed her whenthe whisperings changed to a rapid and louder muttering in an unknowntongue, and she knew that her visitors were blacks!

Unable to even speak, she heard the soft rustle of footsteps drawingnearer and nearer, and then the closed flap of the tent was pulledslowly aside by a long black hand, and the wicked eyes of the beardedface of a huge aboriginal, naked to the waist, gazed into hers. For asecond or two he looked at her, watching her terrified expression as asnake watches the fascinated bird; then he drew back his lips and showedtwo rows of gleaming teeth in a fierce smile of exultation. By a mightyeffort she tried to raise the Winchester, and in another moment theblackfellow sprang at her, covered her head with a filthy kangaroo skinand silently bore her outside. 

For quite ten minâtes she felt herself being carried swiftly along, tillher captor came to the creek, which he crossed. Then he uncovered herface and spoke to her in English. 

"If you make a noise I will kill you, and throw your body in the creek. I am Sandy the Trooper. "

She gazed at him mechanically, too horrified at her surroundingsto utter a sound. For dawn had just broken and she saw that she wasstanding in a small open space in the midst of a sandalwood scrub, andencircled by twenty or thirty ferocious-looking myall blacks all armedwith spears and waddies. The strong ant-like odour which emanated fromtheir jet-black skins filled her nostrils and, putting her hands to hereyes, she shuddered and fell upon her knees with a choking sob. 

"Come, none of that, missie, " said another voice in English, and herhands were rudely pulled aside; "you must get up and walk. Perhaps wewon't hurt you. But if you make a noise I'll give you a tap on the headwith this waddy, " and the speaker flourished a short club over her head. "Come! get up!"

She obeyed him, rose slowly to her feet, and in another instant dartedaside, and, breaking through the circle of myalls, plunged into thescrub towards the creek. But before she had gone twenty yards one ofthem had seized her by her loosened hair, and a long pent-up screamburst from her lips. 

Again the filthy skin was thrown over her head, then her hands werequickly tied behind her with a strip of bark. 

Sandy lifted her up in his arms, and he, Daylight, and their followersplunged into the forest and set off towards the mountains. 

CHAPTER XIII ~ ON THE SCENT

Through the blackness of the night and the pouring rain Grainger andScott made their way down the right bank of the creek to where, a mileor a mile and a half away, was a thick scrub of sandalwood trees, inwhich they imagined the terrified horses had taken refuge. The rushing, foaming waters guided them on their way, though every now and then theyhad to make a detour round the heads of some gullies, which were bankhigh with backwater from the swollen creek. As soon as there was a lullin the storm they again _Coo-eed_, but received no answer from Jacky. Grainger, who had the most implicit faith in the judgment of hisblackboy, now began to fear that the horses, instead of making for thescrub, had gone towards the mountains, where it would perhaps be mostdifficult to get them. However, there was nothing to be done but tofirst examine the scrub, and then to see what had become of Jacky. Bothhe and Scott had brought their bridles with them, and the blackboy, they knew, had his as well, and they were hoping that at any moment theymight meet him driving the horses back to the camp. 

By the time the scrub was reached the storm had begun to break somewhat, for although rain still fell heavily, the wind was losing its violence;and presently, to their satisfaction, they heard Jacky's voice shoutingsomewhere near them. 

"Where are you?" called out Scott. 

"Here, on cattle camp, in middle of scrub. I been catch old Euchre andtwo more horse, but can't find other pack-horse and bay filly and roancolt. I 'fraid they been go 'way back up mountain. "

They found him engaged in tying up the foreleg of Scott's horse withstrips of his shirt. The animal, when racing along in the dark, hadfallen and out itself badly from knee to hoof. Grainger examined theinjury, and saw that, although the poor creature was very lame, it couldeasily be led to the camp. But the loss of the remaining horses was aserious matter, and after a brief discussion it was resolved to firstmake a thorough search along the creek for another mile before givingup any hopes of finding them in the vicinity of the scrub. Then, ifno traces could be found, they were to return to the camp for theirsaddles, and Jacky and Grainger would endeavour to pick up their tracksas soon as daylight broke. 

An hour was spent fruitlessly, and they turned back and made for thecamp, Scott and Grainger riding barebacked, and Jacky going ahead onfoot, leading the lame horse. Presently they came to a deep, rockygully, which they crossed, and were carefully ascending the steep bankwhen Scott's horse tripped over a loose stone and fell heavily, with hisrider underneath. 

Jacky and Grainger at once went to his assistance and got the horseaway, but Scott lay perfectly motionless, and when spoken to did notanswer. Grainger, like all good bushmen, had kept his matches dry, and, striking a light, he saw that the big digger had not only received someinjury to his head, but, worse still had broken his leg; the bone hadsnapped completely across half-way down from the knee. 

For quite ten minutes the poor fellow remained unconscious, then, whenhe came to his senses, his first question was about the horse. Was hehurt?

"No, Dick; but your leg is broken. "

The language that flowed from Mr. Scott's bearded lips cannot possiblybe set down, but he resigned himself cheerfully to Grainger and Jackywhen they put the broken limb into rough splints made of bark and twigsto keep it in position until they could do something better on theirarrival at the camp. 

Refusing to be carried, Scott dragged himself up the bank, and thenallowed them to lift him on Euchre's back, Grainger riding and Jackywalking beside him. 

By the time they reached the camp it was broad daylight, and an alarmedlook came into Grainger's eyes when there was no response to his loud_Coo-ee!_ thrice repeated. 

Suddenly Jacky, whose dark eyes were rolling unnaturally as he glancedall around him, let go the horse he was leading, sprang forward, andentered the tent. He reappeared in a moment. 

"What is wrong, Jacky? Where is she?"

"Gone, " was the quick reply. "Myall blackfellow been here and take heraway!"

"Good God!" said Grainger hoarsely, feeling for the moment utterlyunnerved as he watched the black-boy walk quickly round and round thetent, examining the grass. 

"Plenty blackfellow been here, " he said, "but only one fellow been goinside tent. I think it, he catch him up missie when she sleep------"

An oath broke from Scott's lips. "Let me down, boss, let me down! It'sall my fault. Quick! put me inside the tent and let me be. You and Jackyhas two good horses, and Jacky is the best tracker this side o' thecountry. "

"I'll see to your leg first, Dick, " cried Grainger, as he and Jackylifted him off Euchre and helped him into the tent. 

"By jingo, you won't, boss!" was the energetic reply. "What does itmatter about my leg? Let me be. I'll pull along all right, even if youare away for a day, or two days, or a week. For God's sake, boss, don'tfool about me! Think of _her_. Saddle up, saddle up, and bring her back!They can't be far away. Jacky, I'll give you fifty pounds if you gether. Boss, take plenty o' cartridges an' some tucker. I'll be as rightas rain here. But hurry, hurry, boss! If they get her into the mountainswe'll never see any more of her but her gnawed bones, " and the big manstruck his clenched fist passionately upon the ground. 

But Grainger, although almost maddened with fear as to Sheila's fate, would not leave the man helpless, and whilst Jacky was saddling thehorses, he put provisions and water, and matches and tobacco, near thepoor, excited digger. Then, with the blackboy's aid, he quickly andeffectively set the broken leg with proper splints, seized round withbroad strips of ti-tree bark. "There, Dick, that's all I can do for younow. " "You're losing time over me, boss. Hurry, hurry! and get the younglady back for God's sake. "

Five minutes later Jacky had picked up the tracks of Sandy and Daylightand their allies, and he and Grainger, with hearts beating high withhope, were following them up swiftly and surely. 

CHAPTER XIV ~ "MISS CAROLINE" IS "ALL RIGHT" (VIDE DICK SCOTT )

The tracks of the abductors of Sheila were easily discernible to thepractised eyes of Jacky--than whom a better tracker was not to be foundin North Queensland. They led in an almost direct line towards thegrim mountain range for about seventeen miles, and then were lost ata rapidly-flowing, rocky-bottomed stream--a tributary of that on whichGrainger's camp had been made. 

Never for one instant did Grainger think of questioning the judgmentof his tried and trusted blackboy, when, as they came to the stream, hejumped off his horse and motioned to his master to do the same. 

"Them fellow myall have gone into water, boss, and walk along up, " hesaid placidly, as he took out his pipe, filled and lit it. Then he addedthat they had better take the saddles off the horses, short-hobble them, and let them feed. 

"You don't think, Jacky, that they" (he meant the blacks) "might get ontoo far ahead of us?" he asked, as he dismounted. 

"No, boss, they are camped now, 'bout a mile or two mile fartherup creek. We can't take horses there--country too rough, and myallblackfellow can smell horse long way off--all same horse or bullock cansmell myall blackfellow long way off. "

Grainger knew that this was perfectly true--cattle and horses can alwaysscent wild blacks at a great distance, and at once show their alarm. Andthat the country was too rough for Jacky and him to go any furtherwith the horses was quite evident. However, he knew that as soon as hiscompanion had taken a few pulls at his pipe he would learn from him whathis plans were. 

The weapon that the black boy usually carried was a Snider carbine, buthe had left that at the camp, and taken the spare Winchester--the oneSheila had dropped in the tent: and he was now carefully throwing backthe lever, and ejecting the cartridges, and seeing that it was in goodorder ere he re-loaded it. 

"Your rifle all right, boss?" he asked. 

"All right, Jacky; and my revolver too. "

Jacky grunted--somewhat contemptuously--at the mention of the revolver. "You won't get chance with rewolber, boss. Rifle best for you an' methis time, I think it. Rewolber right enough when you ride after myallin flat country. "

"Very well, Jacky, " said Grainger, "I'll leave the revolver behind. Whatare we going to do?"

"First, short-hobble horses, and let 'em feed--plenty grass 'bout here. Then you follow me. I think it that them fellow myall camp" (rest)"'bout two mile up creek. "

"How many are there, Jacky?"

"'Bout twenty, boss--perhaps thirty. And I think it that some fellerrunaway policeman with them--Sandy or Daylight, I beleeb. "

"What makes you think that?" said Grainger, instantly remembering thatLamington had said that he meant to try and head off Sandy and hismyalls down into the spinifex country. 

"Come here, boss. "

Grainger followed him to the margin of the creek, which although at dawnhad been running half bank high, owing to the tremendous downpour ofrain, was now at its normal level. 

"Look at that, boss. "

He pointed to a triangular indentation, which, with footmarks, wasimprinted in the soft yellow sand at the foot of a small boulder; andtaking the butt of his Winchester rifle, fitted it into the impression. 

"Some feller with Winchester rifle been sit down here, boss, and lighthis pipe. See, he been scrape out pipe, " and he indicated some partiallyconsumed shreds of tobacco and some ashes which were lying on the sand. 

"Ah, I see, Jacky, " and a cold chill of horror went through him ashe thought of Sheila being in the power of such a fiend as Sandy. Themyalls would in all likelihood want to kill and eat her, but Sandy orDaylight would probably wish to keep her a captive. And that Jackywas correct in his surmise there could be but little doubt--both theoutlawed ex-policemen had Winchesters, taken from the Chinese packerswhom they had murdered. 

"Go on, Jacky, my boy, for God's sake!" he said hoarsely, placing hishand on the blackboy's shoulder. "Missie may be killed if we do nothurry. "

"No fear, boss!" replied Jacky with cheerful confidence, as he proceededto strip. "You 'member what I told you 'bout that white woman myallblacks take away with them long time ago when ship was break up nearCape Melville, and they find her lying on beach? They didn't killher--these myall nigger like White Mary {*} too much. I don't thinkthese fellow will kill Missie. I think it Daylight or Sandy will wanther for _lubra_. {**} Take off boots, boss. "

Grainger pulled off his knee boots, and threw them up on the bank, and then he and Jacky short-hobbled the horses, and let them feed. Theblackboy had stripped himself of every article of clothing, except theremnants of his shirt, which he had tied round his loins; over it wasstrapped his leather belt with its cartridge pouch. 

"Come on, boss, " and then instead of crossing the creek as Grainger hadimagined he would, he led the way along the same side, explaining thatthe myalls, expecting--but not fearing--pursuit, would do all that theycould to make the pursuers believe that they had walked up through thecreek for a certain distance, and then crossed over to the oppositeside. The gins{***} and picaninnies, he said, were not with the partythat had seized Sheila, neither were there any dogs with them. 

 * "White Mary"--A white woman. 

 ** Wife. 

 *** Gins. Synonymous with _lubra_--i. E. , a wife. 

"And you will see, boss, " he said, as, after they had come a mile anda half, he pointed to a sandbank on the side of the creek, deeplyimprinted with footmarks, "we will find them eating fish in their camp. Look there. "

Grainger saw that on the sandbank were a number of dead fish which hadbeen swept down the creek from pools higher up. That many more had beenleft stranded, and then taken away, was very evident by the disturbedstate of the sand and the numerous footmarks. 

Suddenly a harsh sound of many voices fell upon their ears, and Jackycame to a dead stop. 

Motioning to Grainger to lie down and await his return, he slippedquietly away, his lithe, black body gliding like a snake through thedense jungle which clothed the banks of the creek. 

A quarter of an hour later he came back, his black eyes rolling withsubdued excitement. 

"Come on, boss; it is all right. They are camped in an old _boora_ {*}ground, and Sandy and Daylight are going to fight for Missie. I sawMissie. "

 * A place which the Australian aborigines use for their corroborées and certein religious rites. 

"Where was she?" said Grainger, whose heart was thumping fiercely as, rifle in hand, he sprang to his feet. 

"In the middle of the _boora_ ground. She sit up, but all the same as ifshe sleep---eyes shut. "

"Oh, God, to think that I left her!--to look after horses, " Graingersaid bitterly to himself as he followed Jacky, who little knew how dearSheila was to the heart of his "boss. "

Swiftly but cautiously Jacky led the way through the scrub until theycame to the margin of the _boora_ ground, and then Grainger saw twentyor thirty blacks seated on the ground in a circle, spears and waddiesin hand. In the centre was Sheila, crouched on her knees, with her handscovering her eyes. On each side of her was a Winchester rifle, and abelt with an ammunition pouch--her dowry. And standing near by her, attended by their nude seconds, were Daylight and Sandy, who were alsoarmed with spears and waddies. They were both stripped and painted, andready to slaughter each other. 

"Boss, " whispered Jacky, "which feller you want to take?"

"I'll take the big man with the beard, " said Grainger, as he drew up hisWinchester. 

"All right, boss! I take the other man--that's Daylight. But don't shootuntil they walk across _boora_ ground, and turn and face each other. Shoot him through _bingie_, {*} boss--don't try for head, you might misshim. "

 * Stomach. 

"All right, Jacky, " and Grainger lay flat on the ground and brought hisrifle to his shoulder, "but don't miss your man. "

"No fear of that, boss. I'm going to give it to Daylight between theeyes. But let me drop him first. "

"Right. "

Daylight and Sandy were taken by their seconds to opposite sides of thering, and then, drawing their heads back and poising their spears, theyawaited each other's attack. 

Then Jacky's Winchester cracked, and Daylight span round and fell dead, and Sandy's spear flew high in air as a bullet took him fair in thechest. And then the savage instinct to slay came upon and overwhelmedGrainger, as well as his black boy, and shot after shot rang out andlaid low half a dozen of the sitting and expectant savages ere theycould recover from their surprise and flee. 

Grainger rushed forward to Sheila and lifted her up. 

A hysterical sob burst from her as she put her trembling hands outtowards him. 

"Oh, I knew you would come! I knew you would come!" and then her eyesclosed, and she lay quiet in his arms. 

 * * * * *

That night, as Sheila, with tear-swollen eyes of gratitude to God forher preservation, lay sleeping in the little tent, Grainger and theever-faithful Jacky sat smoking their pipes beside the recumbent figureof burly Dick Scott, who, broken-legged as he was, had insisted uponbeing taken outside and camping with them. 

"Boss, " he said, as he handed his pipe to Jacky to be filled, "this willbe suthin' for Mr. Mallard to put in the _Champion_, eh?"

"Yes, Dick, old son, " and Grainger put his hand on the big man'sshoulder, with a kindly light shining in his quiet, grey eyes. "I'll write and tell him all about it. And I'll tell him what a real, downright, out-and-out 'white man' you are. "

"Git out, boss, " and the rough, bearded digger laughed childishly withpleasure; "if I sees anythin' in the Champion about me, blow me butI'm goin' back to Townsville, and I mean to spark that gal at 'MagnetVilla'--she that was a-cryin' when Miss Caroline came away. "

"Right you are, Dick. You have promised Jacky fifty pounds if he broughtMiss Carolan back--and you will give it to him. But you are one of the'Ever Victorious' crowd, and don't want money, so I won't say any moreexcept that I'll give Mrs. Dick Scott five hundred sovereigns for awedding present. What is her present surname, Dick?"

"Don't know, boss. Didn't ask her. But if she isn't snapped up by one ofthem flash banker fellows, or some other paper-collared swell, I thinkI'll get her. Mr. Mallard and Miss Myra said they would put in a goodword for me, seein' as I hadn't no time to do any courtin' myself. "

"Dick, old son, she's yours! If you have got my sister and Mr. Mallardto speak for you, it's all right--that's a dead certainty. How is yourleg?"

"Bully, boss--just bully. Say, boss!"

"Yes, Dick. "

"D'ye think we'll get them missin' horses?"

"Horses be hanged! Do you think I'm troubling about them just now?"

"Why, certingly you ought to be troublin' about 'em. Isn't the roan coltand the bay filly worth troublin' about? The best blood in the wholebloomin' country is in that bay filly o' Miss Caroline's. And Jimmy AhSan offered you ninety pound for the roan, didn't he?"

Grainger put out his hand, and grasping Scott's long beard, pretended toshake it. 

"Just you go to sleep, Dick Scott, and don't waggle your chin and talkabout horses or anything else. You are a blessed nuisance, and if youwake Miss Carolan up I'll pound you when you get better!"

Scott grinned, and then he put out his hand. 

"Boss, have you fixed it up with her? I thought as how that there wasnothin' in the world so sweet in the way of wimmen as Miss Myra; butMiss Caroline runs her a close second. "

"I have not asked her yet, Dick. "

"You ask her to-morrow, boss. You take my tip, or before you knows whereyou are some other fellow will be jumpin' your claim and gettin' her. "

"I'll think of it, Dick. "

"Don't think too long over it, boss. If it wos me, I'd see it throughthe first thing to-morrow momin'. "

"You mind your own business, Mister Richard Scott, " said Grainger, witha laugh. 

"All right, boss; but what about them horses? That bay filly------"

"Go to sleep, you silly old ass. "

* * * * *

At dawn Lamington and his Danites came splashing through the creek, andGrainger was aroused by a loud "Hallo!" as the swarthy-faced Inspectorcantered up to the tent and dismounted. 

"Well, here you are, Grainger. I know all that has happened. I roundedup the myalls outside the _boora_ ground, only half an hour after youhad left, and one of the bucks--whom I dropped with a bullet throughhis thigh--told me what had occurred, when Sandy and Daylight were justabout to fight. How is Miss Carolan?"

"Well. She is sleeping. Take a peg, " and he handed Lamington his brandyflask. 

The officer poured out a stiff nip, drank it off, and then pointed toone of his troopers, who had just dismounted, and was holding in hishand a heavy bundle, wrapped up in an ensanguined saddle-cloth. 

"That's my £500, Grainger. I'll have to send those heads to Townsvillefor identification before I can claim the reward. Awfully smart of youto pot both of them. "

"Lamington, you're a _beast_. Tell that nigger of yours to take thatinfernal bundle away and keep it out of sight, or, by heavens, you and Iwill quarrel. "

Lamington, gentleman at heart, apologised: "I _am_ a beast, Grainger. Ididn't think of Miss Carolan. "

 * * * * *

When Sheila awakened she had to bid Dick Scott goodbye, for Lamingtonwas taking him back to Chinkie's Flat. 

"Goodbye, Miss Caroline. You an' the boss will pull along all right toMinerva Downs. And when I sees you again, I hope that------"

"Dry up, Dick, " said Grainger, with assumed severity. 

"Oh, I know it's all right, boss; isn't it, Miss Caroline?"

"Yes, Mr. Scott, " said Sheila with a smile, as she put her little handinto his. "I don't think I shall stay very long at Minerva Downs, and Ido think you will soon see me again. "

"At Chinkie's Flat?"

"Yes, at Chinkie's Flat, " said Grainger, as he put his arm round Sheila, and drew her to him. "Mr. Lamington is sending up a parson from the Bayto Minerva Downs. "

"Boss, " cried Scott, exultantly, "there's goin' to be a red, rosy, highold time by and by at Chinkie's Flat. "

THE END