CHAPTER VII. CONTINUED.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1884, 2 August 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER VII. CONTINUED.

swagman was lurching along the road, with the peculiar stride of hia class. Ho turned as ■ the horsemen noared him, sat down on his swag, and as they pulled up to question him, anticipated them with the atvagman a inevitable query : 11 Good day, mates. Can'yer give us a pipe of baccer?" Curzen pulled out a pouch, from which he took a liberal donation of fragrant Latakia, and handed it to the man, who eyed it with great disfavor. " Cut up tack, about as mild an chopped hay," he growled. " I'd amost sooner smoke sheepwash. Swells, I reckon, out for a holiday." lie filled his pipe with the despi3ed weed, and begun to smoke, in profound disgust. ■" I'm sorry I have no stronger tobacco," said Curzon. "Here, my riend, is half-a-crown to buy you some, more to your liking. And now can you tell us if we are near a station called Nundle, belonging to a Mr. Fowler ? " The man pockelted the coin, and condescended to allow his features to'relax into a grin. " I thought you was new chums," he said. " Near Nundle station ? Did you ride along the river ? " Curzon replied in the affirmative. " And did you pass through a white gate on the swing for the coach. A lot of wheeltracks and hoof-holes all round it ? " " Yes," replied both friends. •'Well, that was the boundary fence of Nundle, and you've been riding on the station ever since. Do you want to see the cove ? " 11 Who is the cove ? " Falkland asked. " The cove ? Oh, ah — I forgot you was Johnny Raws. The cove ? Why cove means super, or head boss, whichever manages the run. Fowler works hia own run. Is it him you wants ? " the man repeated, shading his eyes with his hands, and looking far ahead as he spoke. " We do wish to see him," said Curzon. "Then foller yer noses straight for'ard, and you'll come bang up again him," said the man, shouldering his swag. " That's him undor the pines there ahead, on a brown cob." The friends looked in the direction indicated, but could only just distinguish a moving speck in the distance. " You must have splendid sight, my friend," said Curzon, admiringly. The man laughed. " I've seen the time," he said, " when I'd have piped you chaps farther off than the covo is now, and have seen you plain enough to tell whether you was swells worth sticking up, or traps worth leavin' alone. But them days is gone. I'm too old and stiff to lide now, and there's scarce anybody worth sticking up on the roads these times." And with this very candid confession, and a " So long, mates," the swagsman struck into his customary step, while Curzon and Falkland rode ahead, enlightened concerning another phase of Australian life. In a few minutes the approaching horseman was near enough to enable them to criticise his personal appearance. He was a short, thick-set man, with bronzed features, by no means unpleasing in their expression, though they wore an air of settled melancholy. He was apparently about forty years of age. As he neared Falkland and his friend ho pulled up and saluted them. " Good morning, gentleman ; a fine day. Have you come far ? " " Only from the township since breakfast," said Falkland. "Am I addressing Mr. Fowler?" " That is my name," waa the reply, in a tone of surprise. The friends noticed that his face blanched as ho spoke, and he gathered up his rein as though to ride off without further colloquy. But he checked himself and remained still, gazing intently at Falkland. " I have come a long way to ccc you, Mr. Fowler," said the latter in a stern voice. " You will understand why when I tell you that my name is Falkland." There was no doubt of his emotion this time. Fowler shook like a leaf as he muttered, " Falkland ! It has come ! The dead cry from their graves for vengeance, and their prayer is heard 1 " Then addressing himself to Falkland, he said, " I will accompany you. Do not fear any attempt at resistance or escape. The dreadful secret has been a lifelong burden to me ; and though God knows I am innocent of all save an unconscious share in the crime, and a guilty silence subsequently, I am prepared for the worst." "Do not mistake me," said Falkland, earnestly. "I do not come armed with the strong hand of the law. Your words lead me to suppose that what I have to say to you, so far from being unpleasant, may j>rove the very reverse. Shall we ride on, and talk as we go ? " Fowler turned his horse's head, and the three men rode slowly along. As they went Falkland acquainted Fowler with the whole of the facta with which our readers are acquainted. When he mentioned the departure of Edmonds for Australia Fowler uttered an exclamation. " 'Twas he, then 1 " he said. " I knew I had seen the face before, though time has changed him so muoh that I could not identify him. Edmonde is in Sydney — I saw him there last week. I will join with you heart and soul ; but first hear what I have to say ; you may then feel more disposed to trust one whose hands you now believe to be in some degree stained with your uncle's blood. Your father did not, could not, know the whole oircumstances, "The night your uncle was murdered, Smithers oame over to our farm in the afternoon, and proposed to me to shoot a buck in the Park that evening. We had often done so previously. The severity of Sir Ealph gave a keener zest to poaching with the young fellows on the estate ; while Smithers seemed to take a fiendish delight in thus destroying the baronet's property. A fellow in Exeter used to give a good price for the venison, and no questions asked. We set out, each aimed with a gun, fearless of detection ; for even if the keepers had encountered us the guns were easily hidden, and they would have seen nothing extraordinary in the favorite servant of Sir Ealph taking a walk in the Park with a friend from the -village. We crouched in a coppice at the end of a glade, down which we knew the deer would drive to drink, and waited for their approach. We had not been concealed long, when we heard the sound of voices in altercation, and presently Sir Ealph and his brother entered the glade. Then ensued the scene your father has described. While the brothers were struggling Smithers exclaimed, ' The hour of revenge has come 1 ' Seizing the gun, it was at his shoulder and discharged, ere I could arrest his aim. Glancing quickly round, he snatched my weapon, and fired through the coppice, where the antlers of the leader of the herd appeared. The whole deviliah plot must have suggested itself to his murderous mind in an instant. Then he rushed to the dead body, and tore the forged cheque from the hand which, tightly clasping it, rested over the heart from which the life-blood was welling." Fowler paused for a time, too much agitated to continue. At length he resumed : " Yocjt father has told you how Smithers, by his fiendish ingenuity, frightened him into silence. When the unfprtunate gentleman had left the spot, Smithers came over to where I lay, horrified and trembling. " 'Lookhere, Jack Fowler,' he said, harshly ; 11 you have seen a job done to-night for which both will awing if we are found out. Tho keepara will be here direotly— come with me to the Court.' " We tautened, carrying our guns, by an

ob3cure path which he knew well, to the Court, and Smithers took me to the west wing, which was never occupied except during the shooting season. " ' You can stop here undiscovered for a few weeks, until the hue and ory is over,' he said. ' I will give out that I saw you off to London this afternoon. It is known that you were talking of going to Australia, and my word will be taken as sufficient. Only your father and mother can suspect anything, a,nd they will be silent for your sake. I will get you a disguise, and give you the money I have 3aved; it will take you to Australia. The few hundreds I possess are nothing to me now, for I have Eustace Falkland under my thumb ! ' " He drew out the forged cheque and looked at it with a malicious smile. Then I noticed that the back of it was marked with the fingers of a bloody hand. "What was I to do? The enormity of the crime paralysed reflection, apd Smithers' threats cowed me. I consented to fly, wrote a note to my parents, which Smithers undertook to deliver, stating that I had suddenly made up my mind to leave at once for Australia ; and remained concealed at the Court for several weeks, until the excitement had died away. Then I made my way in disguise to London, and sailed for Australia, where my early farm training served me in good stead, and I prospered beyond my utmost expectations. Yet night and day that dreadful scene is ever before me, and more than once I have thought of going home, confessing all, and dragging the villain to the scaffold, even though 1 suffered with him." " Your share in the matter was a trifling one indeed," said Falkland, offering his hand to Fowler, who was deeply affeoted as he took it. "Most men would have acted as you ! did, in similar circumstances. But if this j scoundrel can be induced to resign that document quietly, so that my poor father's memory may not be disgraced, I will spare his life. Such was the injunction left me, and if possible it shall b3 fulfilled. But if Edmonds— Smithers— is obdurate, I will hunt him to the steps of the scaffold." " And I will assist you," replied Fowler. " The villain is in Sydney, and has seen and recognised me. Of that lam certain, for I saw him at the bar of the Eoyal Motel, where I was conversing with some friends, who frequently addressed me by name. I noticed him looking at me very intently, and fancied his features were familiar to me; but one meets so many strange faces in Australia that identity is often difficult. And now, if you will put spuia to your horses until we have topped yonder rise, we shall reach my homestead, where I trust you will accept my hospitality for a day or two, during which we can arrange our plans for hunting down that scoundrel." J The homestead of Nundle station stood in j the midst of a thickly planted slope, gently declining to the edge o£ the river. Immediately around the house, which was covered inthe front by a trailing vine, was an orchard thick with fruit tree 3, surrounded by various patches devoted to flowers, and vegetables for atation use. On the bank of the river, at the end of a path leading from the homestead, was a boat-house, containing a stoutly-built boat, furnished with a pair of sculls. Murrumbidgce is destitute of bridges, eavo at such important places as Wagga Wagga and Hay ; and most of the squatters along the river keep a boat, as the only ready means of communication with their neighbors oh the opposite shore. Leading the way through a slip panel to the back or the house, Fowler shouted in a stentorian voice, " Tom I Tom Grist 1 " "All right, boss," replied an equally loud voice, "I'm comin'. The hawker ain't been round with the patent ear-plug 3 yet, so you needn't bust a chap's drums." A tall, wiry looking youth made his appearance aa he spoke. " Take theao gentlemen's horses, Tom," said Fowler. "Be careful of them, they're not just off the grass, like the station nags." " Bet your life on that, boss," replied Tom Grist. "Like the chaps that rode 'em, I should say. So full of good living that a day's hard work would make 'em think of their mothers. Allright, boss, I understand." And Tom moved off with his chargers, taking particular stock of the Somerset saddles, which took his fancy amazingly. "That's a comical fellow," said Curzon, watching the retreating Tom. "He's as good as he is original," replied Fowler. " Saved my life about two years ago, when the river was up, and I got into it. Tom swam his horse down the stream, and was nearly drowned himself. He got struck on the head by a log as he seized me, and we were both pretty nearly done up when we reached the bank. I'm proud of Tom ; he is a thoroughbred Australian, not at all shy, and no end of pluck." " You must make the best of a bachelor's quarters," said Fowler, as he sat with his guests over a substantial lunch. "The memory of that dreadful affair, and the haunting fear that bohio day I should be called to account for my share in it, took from me all taste for the luxuries of life. I may say I have prospered in spite of myself." After luncheon, Fowler showed hi 3 acquaintances over the station. Their attendant was Tom Grist, whose eccentric remarks seemed to please Curzon immensely. Leaving Falkland to converse with their host, Curzon fell behind to talk with Tom. " So you are what they call a native," he remarked, by way of opening a conversation. "That's so," replied Tom, quietly. "I s'pose you're like the rest of the Cockneys, and expected to see all natives have a jolly good lick of the tar brash." "All Englishmen are not Cockneys, aa y®u colonials seem to fancy," replied Curzon. " Nor is all natives blacktellow3, as you Englishmen seem to fancy," replied Tom Gri3t, drily. " Don't you find station life rather slow, year after year ? " Curzon asked, not at all satisfied with the result of his first effort. " I dossay you city chaps would find it so," replied Tom. " You can't get drunk, unless you ride a dozen miles or so to the nearest shanty ; and that wouldn't spit an Englishman. Then you've got to rido all over the country, taking everything in your stride, and that would mean hospital or a coffin to most of 'em. And you must be able to make yourself at home for a day or two fifty miles from nowhere in the bush, with a saddle for a pillow, the sky for bed curtains, and an old blanket for your covering. And that would finish" up the balance of the chapa weaned on pap, and sent out here to astonish the natives." "Would you like to go to England and astonish the natives there, Tom ? " Curzon asked. "I dunno, mate," replied Tom, ooolly. "Every cock gets on best on his own dunghill. A kangaroo geta through all right in the bush, but he mightn't put it along so comfortable in London streets. - Talking of kangaroos, there goes an old man." With a loud yell, Tom clapped spurs to hi 3 " horae, and darted off on the trail of the ma» supial. Curzon, recovering from his astonishment, followed hard in his track; and the clatter of hoofs behind told him that Falkland and Fowler had followed his example. Half-an-hour's hard burst brought Tom, who kept his lead manfully, up to his quarry. A yawning gully — the dry bed of a oreek — was cleared by the chage and Tom almost simultaneously ; and, as the stookman shot past the animal, he dealt it a heavy blow with the butt of his loaded, stock-whip, which

brought it to the ground. Tom jumped oil his horse, and with two or three heavy hits had just finished the kangaroo, as the others rode up. _" He's dead lame, or we shouldn't have got him," said Tom to his master, as he cut off the tail and fastened it to the D of his saddle. " He's a boomer, ain't ho ? There must be more about; pity we hada't got the dogs." "By Jove, this is glorious," exclaimed Gurzon. " A better thirty minutes' burst I never enjoyed in the shires." " You swells ain't got a bad idea of riding," said Tom, patronisingly. "But you sit rather too long, keep your hands a trifle too high, and don't stick close enough to the saddle. But you've got a good idea of it; and a month's hard woik after the long tails would do you a world of good." "Some of these days we may get you to shew us a little pport," said Curzon to Tom, as they rode back. " I should like to take a few lpsaons in bush horsemanship from you, Tom." " Tell you what," said Tom, tickled by the implied compliments, " I heard the boss say you and your mate would stop a day or two. Get up at sunrise to-morrow, and I'll bring the dog 3. I know a rare run of the long tails a few miles from here, and we'll have a day's sport." " Agreed," said Curzon. "My friend has some business to settle with Mr. Fowler, and be will not want me for a day, at all events." "What is* them shires you wa* talking about?" asked Tom. Curzon, in reply, gave him a full description of a run with the Melton hounds, to which the stockman listened with rapt attention, the account lasting until the homestead was reached. A capital dinner awaited them; after which Fowler proposed a stroll down to the men's huts, which was agreed to. On the way the squatter explained the mysteries of shearing time to his visitors, including the peculiarities of swagmen. "We shall find the travellers' hut pretty full of them to-night," said Fowlev. " I commence shearing in a fortnight, and it is a rule with us to throw open the huts on such occasions." The travellers' hut was a rough building, built of slabs, and roofed with bark. About fifty rude bunks lined the sides, while one end was occupied by an enormou3 fireplace, in which a huge log was burning. Down the centre ran a long table, with primitive fonm on each side, on which about forty men were seated, playing cards and otherwise amusing themselves by tiie light of a number of slush lamps. " Well, my lads," said Fowler, as he entered with his guests, " I shall not begin shearing for nearly a fortnight yet, but I will pick out the rouseabqut men (rough laborers) I want in the morning. They can can cut firewood for stacking in the meantime. Are ycu all I comfortable ? " The men looked at each other and grinned but said nothing in reply, though there was a loud whisper of " Speak up, Sailor Bill," in response to which an elderly, weatherbeaten man stood up. " Well, what is it ? " asked Fowler, with a smile. " Why, you see, Muster Fowler," said the man," you're one of the right sort, so I can patter to you. Every chap a3 ever humped his drum this way knows that he won't be | fobbed off with a pannikin of flour at Nundlo. Yon never refused a poor man a feed and shakedown, and consequently you never had a panel of fence or a foot of grass burnt for spite. So seem' as how you're a right un, I makes bold to ask you to give us a bit of baccy all round, which you cau charge agin our cheques. Them as gets work will square it for them as don't. Is that what's the matter, mates ? " A hoarse murmur of assent endorsed Sailor Bill's request. " I tell you what, my lads," said Fowler ; " this gentleman has brought me some good news to-day— news co good that I could refuse no reasonable request on such a day. One of you go up to the storekeeper, and tell him to come down with a half-pound of tobacco for each man in the hut, and a glass of grog all round to drink the health of this gentleman, Mr. Falkland. It's my shout, lads." The men were about to break out into a cheer, when they were restrained by a gesticulation from Sailor Bill. # " Take your time from mo, mates," he said, impressively. "We'll drink the genelman's health with the greatest of nemconimousness " (Sailor Bill was a bush orator.) " And as you gents ain't agoin' to stop till the pison arrives, why I sayg, Muster Fowler and Muster Falkland, gents both— (wire in, mates)— i " For they arc jolly good fellows, Which nobody needn't to tell us ; For they are jolly good fellows, And so says all on us 1 " Sailor Bill led the honors in a voice like the grating of a rusty saw, and the swagmen joined in with a thundering chorus, terminating in three deafening cheers as the visitors left the hut. Fowler and hia guests returned to the homestead, talking of the scene they had just witnessed. After remaining for a couple of hours, talking over the best plan to pursue, they prepared to retire. " The quarters here are rather limited," said Fowler. " I have had another bed put into the room I usually occupy, and I trust you will be comfortable. Should you not feel inclined for a sleep, it ii moonlight, and there is a fine view from the window. ' Shortly afterwards, Falkland and Curzon retired. While Fowler and his guests were strolling down to the men's huts, Tom Grist brought out his horse, and prepared to mount. lie was going to ride over to the next station, with the view of inviting one or two of the stockmen to come over next morning and show the Englishman some sport. He was about to ride off, when a swagman turned the angle of the house. He was a curious-looking swagman, and so thought Tom Grist as he scrutinised him. He was a tall, stout, red-faced man, with the orthodox swag slung over his shoulder. But his clothes were new, and his blankets unsoiled ; the billy he carried in his hand, and the pannikin slung at the back of his belt, were new, and Tom, as ho gazed, muttered : "I've seen some swagmen — a few — in my time ; but my colonial 1 this chap heads the deck of the pack ! " " Good evening, sir," said the swagman. "Sir!" muttered Tom, "I'm hanged if his yabber ain't as new ohummish as his toggery. Good evening, mate." "Is this Mr. Fowler's station ? " enquired the man. - " You're on," replied Tom, " this is Nundle. You haven't been this road afore, or you wouldn't want telling. Do you want to see him, or are you after a job ? " " See him? oh no," replied the swagman, hastily. "I am, as you say, looking for a job. Can I stop at the hut to-night ? " "You'd better ask the boss that," said Tom, swinging into the saddle. "He's sure to say yes. Follow, that path down by the blind creek, and you'Jl meet him coming up from the huts. But if you miss your road, as wouldn't be a wonder, for I can see you are a new chum, keep this house in sight, and you're right. The boss never refuses a man shelter, but he likes to be" asked. And if you should wander about for a bit, make for here again. If it's late, you'll see the boss looking out of his window, for .he 'does that by the hour every moonlight night, talking to himself."

The swagraan started. "Which is his window ?" he asked, trembling with eagerness. " That one with the window open," replied Tom, pointing to it. "But I can't stop jabbering here ; bo long, mate." And Tom galloped off. "That ia his window!" soliloquised the man. "And he is fond of standing at the window and talking to himself, 13 he? Thanks, my young mend; you have made my task easy. I noticed a boat on the bank as I came up. The deed once done, it will be I easy to pull across the river, send the boat adrift, and set pursuit at defiance. Fowler I once dead, I can defy Falkland— he has no proof, and the forged cheque would crush any statement he made. I will shoot that whitelivered cur this- night !" Edmonds — for it was he— slunk away toward 3 a clump of trees growing out on the plain, about a quarter of a mile distant. Crouching down amongst the undergrowth, he drew from his breast a revolver, and carefully examined the charges. " A short range and a sure aim," he muttered, "and then back at once to Sydney, there to stay at my brother's until the mail steamer starts. Fowler once dead, I can return to England with impunity, there to wring his heart again. Curse the whole race —I will give my life to making it extinct 1" Lying in hia hiding place, he waited patiently for the late moon. He heard Tom, the stockman, return, accompanied by a couple of friends, the trio laughing at some jest as they rode swiftly past his place of concealment, half-a-dozen kangaroo dogs following at their horses' heels. The noise of the men in the travellers 1 hut, whose tongues had been loosened by the grog, came faintly on his ear ; but at last all was hushed. Then the moon rose, shedding a silver light over the plain ; and Edmonds -(let us adhere to the name by which we have hitherto known him) stole from his hiding-place, grasping his revolver. He made hia way to the belt of fruit trees surrounding the house, and crept along in the shade until ho stood within a ! few feet of the hous? front. There he waited, I his weapon ready, his finger on the trigger, for the man whose death ho deemed necessary for his own safety. Falkland and his friend sat up talking Over taeir day's experience for a long time after they retired to their room. At length the former, tired more fiora the reaction of the excitement he had undergone than from fatigue, went to bed. " I must take a look at this moonlight view of which Fowler spoke, before I follow your example," said Curzon, walking to the window. There was a sharp report, a loud cry ; and Falkland, half asleep, sprang from his bed. Ihe moonlight, streaming through the casement, revealed to him the form of his friend lying on the floor, his body covered with blood. Falkland's shout of horror roused the other inmates of the house ; and Fowler rushed into the room, speedily followed by Tom Grist. The genuine grief of Fowler dissipated a half formed suspicion in the mind of Falkland that their host knew something of this attempted assassination. An examination showed that the bullet had passed through the fleshy part of Curzon-'s shoulder. Tom Grist's ready wit proved of service at this juncture. " There's a swagman down in the traveller's hut ad will bo of some good here," he said, as Fowler endeavored to staunch the bleeding. "Old Goulburn Jim, I mean— come the mgbi afore last. He's a disrated doctor, lost hia billet through swiping, and took to the wallaby. But he's sober enough now, seeing as he's only had the one glass of ero" you sent to the hut." b * "Run down and bring him here, Tom, as fast aa you can," said Fowler. The stockman returned in a very short spac3 of time with the eminent member of the medical profession whom he had mentioned. That worthy, one of scorc3 of his class to bo found in the same plight in Australia, was in ie*lity a skilful surgeon. Ho dressed the wound, pronounced the bone uninjured, and volunteered to sit up with the patient, on condition of being allowed an occasional nip. "I will keep you company," said Falkland. " That shot must have been meant for you, Fowler. No person in Australia could have any motive for injuring my friend." Fowler staited, and was about to speak, when he was anticipated by Tom Grist, who smote his thigh as he exclaimod : "I'll lay a pound note that new chum tramp knows something about it ! I noticed that he was death ou knowing about the boss's bedroom window. And he's not down at the hut, though ho asked for shelter." A few questions soon satisfied Falkland and Fowler that Tom's " new chum tramp " at all events answered the description of Edraond3, so far as the features were concarned. A search was at once instituted, all the men on the station assisting, when it was found that the boat had been taken away. Some hour 3 elapsed before one of the stockmen rode back with the intelligance thai; tha boat, without the sculls, had been picked up down the stream. Falkland's desire to keep the matter out of the hands of the authorities facilitated the e3cape of Edmonds. Fowler and Falkland, at Curzon's earnest request, started for Sydney, having ascertained that a horseman answering Edmonds description had gone in that direction. | " Goulburn Jim " waj left in charge of the wounded man, with a promise from Fowler of a handsome reward if ho attended properly to his patient. "He'll do that fast enough," said Tom Grist, " seeing as how he can't get at the rum bottle." " You must coma to Sydney with us, Tom," said Fowler. "We may want your assistance in dealing with tb.l3 scoundrel." "I'm agreeable," returned Tom, affably. " I ain't easily mistaken in mugs, and I took good stock of that chap's. And if its punching is wanted, I can do^ a bit of that, though ' I ain't had the benefit of an English swell's eddication in using my thumpers," (To be Continued.)