SOME CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE OF A FREE GRANT EMIGRANT.

Otago Witness, Issue 556, 26 July 1862, Page 6

SOME CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE OF A FREE GRANT EMIGRANT.

CHAPTER V. You may well imagine with what feelings of joy Podgers received his property at the hands of the smiling young lady, to whose sharpneis he was indebted for its safety. I am afraid that his elation prompted him to show his admiration of her, in a manner that Mrs. Podgers would hardly have approved of, certain it is, that his extravagant delight carried him to the length of kissing her, and led to his receiving a smart box on the ears in consequence, lie parted on the best possible terms with the mild-looking detective, of whom he expressed the opinion tbat he wa« too good far a common detective, and ought to be made a Commissioner of Police forthwith. The mild-looking detective received Podgers' compliment very meekly, and while disclaiming his fitness for the particular office to which Podgers would have him promoted, he acknowledged that "he was up to a thing or two, and knew how many beans made five, as well as most men." He also held out to Podgers the probability of his obtaiuing possessession of his stolen watch and land grants. Podgers retired to bed a sadder, and I hope ; a wiser man ; and he mentally resolved never again to be so easily caught by jolly companions. In the morning Podgers set himself to work to accomplish the errand which had brought him to London,>andwith the addressof the eminent ship-owning firm to which he had been recommended in his pocket, he set forth on his way to the offices of that respectable house in Crosby- square. His heart beat somewhat quicker as he entered tho.se busy offices, and, in a voice rather weak with emotion, enquired for the gentleman of whom he could ascertain the particulars of the next ship for Lackland. That important personage was engaged, and Podgers was requested to take a seat for a few moments. To pass the time he proceeded to make a reconnaisance of the room, which was of the colonies, colonial. Maps of all the settlements existing in the most distant part of Her Majesty's dominions were hung on every wall. Where there was not a map there was a picture, generally a brilliant and picturesque representation of one or other of the places which figured on the maps aforesaid.

If there had been a shadow of a doubt existing in Podgers' mind as to the desirability of emigrating to Lackland, the picture, three feet by two, of " A Settler's House, near Lackland," would have dissipated it. It would have been impossible for him to have resisted that delightful pictorial house, and its

more delightful accessories. In the foreground, was a substantial looking dwelling, not to say mansion, of one storey. It was surrounded Ijy a pretty trelliced verandah, beneath which the open windows revealed a comfortable and cheerful looking interior. The " Settler " had evidently been taken as

he was about to set out on his morning ride round his extensive farm, for he Mas represented in his top-boots and straw hat, with

whip in hand, bidding good bye to a female in a loose morning wrapper, and holding a very chubby baby in her arms, which the Settler, aforesaid was very impressively kissing. A spirited looking-horse, rather long in the legs and tail, and short in the neck, was represented as being held with considerable difficulty by a servant, whose healthy and sturdy appearance betokened the good cheer that obtained in the Settler's kitchen. This picture, Podgers gazed on in mute admiration.

He forthwith identified himself with the

Settler, and in his mind, it was Podgers' house, Podgers' wife and child, and Podgers' horse and servant on which he was looking. The effect of this picture, was to make Podgers impatient for the appearance of the gentleman of whom he was waiting. He was in breathless haste to take his passage, am l be transported without delay to the Elysium

of his imagination.

In a few minutes that individual appeared, and blandly shook hands with Podgers, and wished to know his business. " Cfoing to emigrate, I presume — Lackland? Delightful place, my dear sir — the Britain of the South — wish I could go myself. Look at that picture, my dear sir. That very Settler only left here a few years ago, and now you see. Ah, it's a a glorious colony !" Podgers soon made known his errand, and in a moment was busy poring over the plan

of accommodation on board " that celebrated A 1 clipper ship Ariel," of ever so many tons burthen, a full representation of which vessel

in full sail appeared at the top of the plan

" Cabin, of course, sir, — much the cheapest I assure you, — a trifle more cost, but then, sir, the accommodation. Let me see, — ah ! I think that stem cabin would suit you to a nicety — hold all your family — three ■windows, you see, sir, and everything complete ; and for that cabin we would say one hundred and fifty pounds." Now Podgers had never intended to go to the expense of a cabin passage. True, it would only make about fifty pounds difference, but then, the accommodation ! So at last he consented, and having paid down a deposit to secure the berth, he left the shipbrokers' office, and went to see the ship itself. The obliging party who had negociated the transaction kindly offered to go with him, and assist him with what information he required. Podgers, of course, felt flattered, and gratefully accepted the offer, and the two set off for the St. Katherine's Docks, wherein the A 1 clipper Ariel was at present lying. On the way thither the bland Broker inquired of Podgers the number and age of his family, the health of Mrs. Podgers, and the intention of Podgers himself as to the occupation he intended to follow when he arrived in Lackland. "Of course, my dear sir, a capitalist like yourself will, on arrival, call on the Governor. His Excellency will, no doubt, be glad to secure the services of a person like you, and will give i you an appointment in whatever part of the \ colony you may select for residence. Really, Sir, I quite envy you, for what can a man J wish for more than a fine estate, plentifully adorned with wood and water, a nice resi- \ dence, fine climate, good society, and no income tax." 'After threading the maze of casks, cases, I boxes and bales which everywhere blocked up the road, and twisting and turning under warehouses, and bohbing under ropes which hung down from the cranes, Podgers and the Broker arrived opposite to the before-men-tioned A 1 clipper which was destined to convey within its capacious frame the establishment of the Podgers' to the land of their adoption. Podgers' first impression of the A 1 clipper was, that she looked much better in the red and blue placard which was posted on a board suspended from her rigging than she looked in propria persona. The A 1 clipper was decidedly dirty, her paint was dilapidated, and her rigging disorderly. The figure head, an original portrait of Ariel, was very much damaged, its nose having been knocked off, both its eyes bunged up, and its wings looking as if "Ariel were in a high moulting state. Podgers couldn't for the life of him see any means of getting on board, until the bland Broker pointed out to him a narrow and somewhat slippery plank, slanting at an angle of ever so many degrees, and stretched across from the dock wall to the poop deck of the A 1 clipper. Podgers, in an attitude ala Blondin, but without the long pole, managed to scramble up, and having alighted safely on the deck of the vessel, he gazed in bewilderment on the scene around him. The first thing that struck him was, the utter impossibility of ever getting the A 1 clipper out of the docks again. Here she was, jammed and wedged in by ships of all sizes and sorts. He couldn't tell which was the rigging of the Ariel and which was that of the Foaming Billow, which was moored alongside. Not a square yard of opea space could h^see,

and he felt certain that not even the smallest of cock -boats could thread the intricate maze. He thus felt it difficult to believe in the placard which set forth that " the A 1 clipper, Ariel, would sail for Lackland on the tenth of the month, positively," seeing that the Foaming Billow, which blocked the way, was not to be despatched until a month later. He confided his doubts to the bland Broker, but that gentleman didn't see the matter in the same light at all. "My dear sir, make your mind easy ; when ice fix a day for our ships to sail, they sail, were the dock jammed up byships of the line." Podgers received this announcement with a high sense of the great importance of the Crosby-square firm, aud professed himself quite satisfied of the truth of the Broker's assertion

Podgers was now invited to inspect the cabin, and accommodation of the Al clipper. " This, my dear sir, is the poop deck; here will be the promenade for the cabin passengers. You will observe, 3ir, how very roomy it is. Those, Sir, are the hen-coops, which are destined to contain the pick of the Leadenhall market, for the supply of the cuddy table. That, sir, is the patent filter for the purification of the water that is to be imbibed by first-class lips — mind that boom, sir — and nothing that can conduce to the comfort of passengers is neglected by our firm. Step down the companion, sir. Ah, I feared you would bump your head, but you will soon get used to it. Now, sir, did you ever see a more commodious saloon than this ? This way, sir. You see all the cabins but one are taken up. Most delightful people, all of them. Here, No. 1, is taken by a Mrs. Highflyer, a lady of the first society, going out to join her husband, who is, I understand, an high official at Lackland. What an advantage, my dear sir, for Mrs. Podgers and Mrs. Highflyer to become acquainted! Nos. 2 and 3 belong to Mr. and Mrs. Lawn1 sleeve and family, highly respectable, but rather decayed. I may say, in confidence, that Mr. L. was a large hop grower in Kent, but he lost money, and now is hopping — (ah — ah — excuse me) off to Lackland. No. 4is taken by a Mr. and Mrs. Pastoral. Mrs. P.; nice little woman; the husband delicate and testy; but highly respectable. No. 5, Miss Mauve, a young lady, good looking, nice fortune, and travelling for health. No. 6, Mr. and Mrs. Molar, a professor of dentistn r , just married. No. 7, stern cabin, Mrs. Liverpool, four children, and grandmother; and this, sir, is No. 8, your cabin." Podgers looked in, and entered. The " very spacious " stern cabin, measured exactly tea feet by twelve. He found its appearance hardly bore out the representation on the plan in the Broker's office. It was empty and dirty, and a peculiar smell pervaded it. The Broker pointed out to Podger9 how he could best arrange it. " Now, my dear sir, allow me to suggest to you the best mode o fitting up your cabin. First you must have constructed a row of bunks properly secured to the side, for your children. On the other side, you will do the same for yourself and Mrs. P., in the centre place a table — on the locker there under the windows your boxes required on the voyage. Two or three chair 3 and a portable couch, a little bit of carpet, and a few odds and ends of furtuniture, and you have a home on the waters sir, fit for an Admiral. My advice is this, sir, give instructions to the eminent out-fitting firm of Silver, Gilt & Co., and they will do everything that is necessary, and without giving you any further trouble on the matter."

Podgers, of course, thanked the Broker for his advice, which he promised to take. He would have liked to view the other parts of the Al clipper, but the bland Broker begged to be excused, as he had an appointment, so

Podgers left the vessel with him, intending to go at once to the eminent outfitting house, to which he had been recommended. Somehow on the way out qf the dock, Podgers missed his companion, and got stumbling and blundering into all sorts of places where he had no business to be, and after being bullied and swore at by five sailors, two dock laborers, and a drayman, getting a dab in the eye from a rope and being suspected of smuggling by a constable, he managed to find his way once more to the open expanse of Tower Hill. CTo be continued.)