Preface
Ofthestoriesinthisvolumemanyhavealreadyappearedin（variousperiodicals），whileseveralnowappearinprintforthefirsttime。
H。L。
Sydney，March17th，1900。
ContentsTheSongsTheyusedtoSingAVisionofSandyBlightAndyPage’sRivalTheIron-BarkChip\"Middleton’sPeter\"
TheMysteryofDaveReganMitchellonMatrimonyMitchellonWomenNoPlaceforaWomanMitchell’sJobsBill，theVentriloquialRoosterBushCatsMeetingOldMatesTwoLarrikinsMr。Smellingscheck\"ARoughShed\"
PayableGoldAnOversightofSteelman’sHowSteelmantoldhisStoryOntheTrackTheSongsTheyusedtoSingOnthediggingsuptotwentyoddyearsago——andasfarbackasIcanremember——onLambingFlat，thePipeClays，Gulgong，HomeRule，andsothroughtheroaringlist;inbarkhuts，tents，public-houses，slygrogshanties，and——well，themostgloriousvoiceofallbelongedtoabadgirl。Wewereonlychildrenanddidn’tknowwhyshewasbad，butweweren’tallowedtoplaynearorgonearthehutshelivedin，andweweretrainedtobelievefirmlythatsomethingawfulwouldhappentousifwestayedtoansweraword，anddidn’trunawayasfastasourlegscouldcarryus，ifsheattemptedtospeaktous。Wehadbeforeusthedreadexampleofoneurchin，whogotanawfulhidingandwentonbreadandwaterfortwenty-fourhoursforallowinghertokisshimandgivehimlollies。Shedidn’tlookbad——shelookedtouslikeagrandandbeautifullady-girl——
butwegotinstilledintoustheideathatshewasanawfulbadwoman，somethingmoreterribleeventhanadrunkenman，andonewhosepresencewastobefearedandfledfrom。Thereweretwoothergirlsinthehutwithher，alsoaprettylittlegirl，whocalledher\"Auntie\"，andwithwhomwewerenotallowedtoplay——fortheywereallbad;
whichpuzzledusasmuchaschild-mindscanbepuzzled。
Wecouldn’tmakeouthoweverybodyinonehousecouldbebad。
Weusedtowonderwhythesebadpeopleweren’thuntedawayorputingaoliftheyweresobad。Andanotherthingpuzzledus。Slippingoutafterdark，whenthebadgirlshappenedtobesingingintheirhouse，we’dsometimesrunagainstmenhangingroundthehutbyonesandtwosandthrees，listening。
Theyseemedmysterious。Theyweremostlygoodmen，andweconcludedtheywerelisteningandwatchingthebadwomen’shousetoseethattheydidn’tkillanyone，orstealandrunawaywithanybadlittleboys——ourselves，forinstance——whoranoutafterdark;
which，aswewereinformed，thosebadpeoplewerealwaysonthelookoutforachancetodo。
WeweretoldinafteryearsthatoldPeterMcKenzie（arespectable，married，hard-workingdigger）wouldsometimesstealupoppositethebaddoorinthedark，andthrowinmoneydoneupinapieceofpaper，andlistenrounduntilthebadgirlhadsungthe\"BonnieHillsofScotland\"
twoorthreetimes。Thenhe’dgoandgetdrunk，andstaydrunktwoorthreedaysatatime。Andhiswifecaughthimthrowingthemoneyinonenight，andtherewasaterriblerow，andshelefthim;andpeoplealwayssaiditwasallamistake。
Butwecouldn’tseethemistakethen。
ButIcanhearthatgirl’svoicethroughthenight，twentyyearsago：
Oh！thebloomin’heath，andthepalebluebell，InmybonnetthenIwore;
AndmemoryknowsnobrighterthemeThanthosehappydaysofyore。
Scotland！Landofchiefandsong！
Oh，whatcharmstotheebelong！
AndIamoldenoughtounderstandwhypoorPeterMcKenzie——whowasmarriedtoaSaxon，andaTartar——wentandgotdrunkwhenthebadgirlsang\"TheBonnieHillsofScotland。\"
HisanxiouseyemightlookinvainForsomelovedformitknew！……
Andyetanotherthingpuzzledusgreatlyatthetime。
Nextdoortothebadgirl’shousetherelivedaveryrespectablefamily——
afamilyofgoodgirlswithwhomwewereallowedtoplay，andfromwhomwegotlollies（thosehardoldred-and-white\"fishlollies\"
thatgrocerssenthomewithparcelsofgroceriesandreceiptedbills）。
Nowonewashingday，theybeingasgladtogetridofusathomeasweweretogetout，wewentovertothegoodhouseandfoundnooneathomeexceptthegrown-updaughter，whousedtosingforus，andread\"RobinsonCrusoe\"ofnights，\"outloud\"，andgiveusmorelolliesthananyoftherest——andwithwhomwewerepassionatelyinlove，notwithstandingthefactthatshewasengagedtoa\"grown-upman\"——
（wereckonedhe’dbedeadandoutofthewaybythetimewewereoldenoughtomarryher）。Shewaswashing。Shehadcarriedthestoolandtuboveragainstthestickfencewhichseparatedherhousefromthebadhouse;
and，toourastonishmentanddismay，thebadgirlhadbroughtHERtuboveragainsthersideofthefence。Theystoodandworkedwiththeirshoulderstothefencebetweenthem，andheadsbentdownclosetoit。
Thebadgirlwouldsingafewwords，andthegoodgirlafterher，overandoveragain。Theysangverylow，wethought。
Presentlythegoodgrown-upgirlturnedherheadandcaughtsightofus。
Shejumped，andherfacewentflamingred;shelaidholdofthestoolandcarriedit，tubandall，awayfromthatfenceinahurry。
Andthebadgrown-upgirltookhertubbacktoherhouse。
Thegoodgrown-upgirlmadeuspromisenevertotellwhatwesaw——thatshe’dbeentalkingtoabadgirl——elseshewouldnever，nevermarryus。
Shetoldme，inafteryears，whenshe’dgrownuptobeagrandmother，thatthebadgirlwassurreptitiouslyteachinghertosing\"Madeline\"
thatday。
Irememberadreadfulstoryofadiggerwhowentandshothimselfonenightafterhearingthatbadgirlsing。Wethoughtthenwhatafrightfullybadwomanshemustbe。Theincidentterrifiedus;andthereafterwekeptcarefullyandfearfullyoutofreachofhervoice，lestweshouldgoanddowhatthediggerdid……
IhaveadreamyrecollectionofacircusonGulgongintheroaringdays，morethantwentyyearsago，andawoman（tomychild-fancyabeingfromanotherworld）standinginthemiddleofthering，singing：
Outinthecoldworld——outinthestreet——
AskingapennyfromeachoneImeet;
CheerlessIwanderaboutalltheday，Wearingmyyounglifeinsorrowaway！
Thatlastlinehauntedmeformanyyears。Irememberbeingfrightenedbywomensobbing（andoneortwogreatgrown-updiggersalso）
thatnightinthatcircus。
\"Father，DearFather，ComeHomewithMeNow\"，wasasacredsongthen，notapegforvulgarparodiesandmorevulgar\"business\"
forfourth-rateclownsandcorner-men。Thentherewas\"ThePrairieFlower\"。
\"OutonthePrairie，inanEarlyDay\"——Icanhearthedigger’swifeyet：
shewastheprettiestgirlonthefield。Theymarriedontheslyandcreptintocampafterdark;butthediggersgotwindofitandrolledupwithgold-dishes，shovels，&c。，&c。，andgavethemarealgoodtinkettlingintheold-fashionedstyle，andanuggetortwotostarthousekeepingon。
Shehadaverysweetvoice。
Fairasalily，joyousandfree，Lightoftheprairiehomewasshe。
She’sa\"granny\"now，nodoubt——ordead。
AndIrememberapoor，brutallyill-usedlittlewife，wearingablackeyemostly，andsinging\"LoveAmongsttheRoses\"atherwork。
Andtheysangthe\"BlueTailFly\"，andallthefirstandbestcoonsongs——
inthedayswhenoldJohnBrownsankadufferonthehill……
ThegreatbarkkitchenofGrannyMathews’\"RedclayInn\"。
Afreshback-logthrownbehindthefire，whichlightstheroomfitfully。
Companysettleddowntopipes，subduedyarning，andreverie。
FlashJack——redsash，cabbage-treehatonbackofheadwithnothinginit，glossyblackcurlsbunchedupinfrontofbrim。FlashJackvolunteers，withoutinvitation，preparation，orwarning，andthroughhisnose：
Hoh！——
Therewasawildkerlonialyouth，JohnDowlinwashisname！
Hebountiedonhisparients，WholivedinCastlemaine！
andsoonto——
HetookapistolfromhisbreastAndwavedthatlit——tletoy——
\"Littletoy\"withanenthusiasticflourishandgreatunctiononFlashJack’spart——
\"I’llfight，butIwon’tsurrender！\"saidThewildKerlonialBoy。
Eventhisfailstorousethecompany’senthusiasm。\"Giveusasong，Abe！
Giveusthe`Lowlands’！\"AbeMathews，beardedandgrizzled，islyingonthebroadofhisbackonabench，withhishandsclaspedunderhishead——
hisfavouritepositionforsmoking，reverie，yarning，orsinging。
Hehadastrong，deepvoice，whichusedtothrillmethroughandthrough，fromhairtotoenails，asachild。
TheybotherAbetillhetakeshispipeoutofhismouthandputsitbehindhisheadontheendofthestool：
TheshipwasbuiltinGlasgow;
’Twasthe\"GoldenVanitee\"——
Lineshavedroppedoutofmymemoryduringthethirtyyearsgonebetween——
AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！
Thepublic-housepeopleandmorediggersdropintothekitchen，asalldowithinhearing，whenAbesings。
\"Nowthen，boys：
AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！
\"Now，alltogether！
TheLowLands！TheLowLands！
AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！\"
Toeandheelandflatoffootbegintostamptheclayfloor，andhornyhandstoslappatchedkneesinaccompaniment。
\"Oh！saveme，lads！\"hecried，\"I’mdriftingwiththecurrent，AndI’mdriftingwiththetide！
AndI’msinkingintheLowLands，Low！
TheLowLands！TheLowLands！\"——
Theoldbarkkitchenisa-goingnow。Heelsdrummingongin-casesunderstools;hands，knuckles，pipe-bowls，andpannikinskeepingtimeonthetable。
Andwesewedhiminhishammock，Andweslippedhimo’ertheside，AndwesunkhimintheLowLands，Low！
TheLowLands！TheLowLands！
AndwesunkhimintheLowLands，Low！
OldBoozerSmith——adirtygin-soddenbundleofragsonthefloorinthecornerwithitsheadonacandlebox，andcoveredbyahorserug——
oldBoozerSmithissupposedtohavebeendeadtotheuniverseforhourspast，butthechorusmusthavedisturbedhistorpor;
for，withasuddennessandunexpectednessthatmakesthenextmanjump，therecomesabellowfromunderthehorserug：
Wotthough！——Iwear！——arag！——gedcoat！
I’llwearitlikeaman！
andceasesassuddenlyasitcommenced。Hestrugglestobringhisruinedheadandbloatedfaceabovethesurface，glaresround;
then，noonequestioninghismanhood，hesinksbackanddiestocreation;
andsubsequentproceedingsareonlyinterruptedbyasnore，asfarasheisconcerned。
LittleJimmyNowlett，thebullock-driver，isinspired。\"Goon，Jimmy！
Giveusasong！\"
InthedayswhenwewerehardupForwantofwoodandwire——
Jimmyalwaysblunders;itshouldhavebeen\"foodandfire\"——
WeusedtotieourbootsupWithlit——tlebits——erwire;
and——
I’msittinginmylit——tleroom，Itmeasuressixbysix;
Thework-housewallisopposite，I’vecountedallthebricks！
\"Giveusachorus，Jimmy！\"
Jimmydoes，givinghisheadashort，jerkynodfornearlyeveryword，anddescribingacircleroundhiscrown——asifhewerestirringapintofhottea——withhisforefinger，attheendofeveryline：
Hall！——Round！——Me——Hat！
Iworeaweepin’willer！
JimmyisaCockney。
\"Nowthen，boys！\"
Hall——round——mehat！
Howmanyolddiggersrememberit？
And：
Abutcher，andabaker，andaquiet-lookingquaker，Alla-courtingprettyJessieattheRailwayBar。
Iusedtowonderasachildwhatthe\"railwaybar\"meant。
And：
Iwould，Iwould，IwouldinvainThatIweresingleonceagain！
Butah，alas，thatwillnotbeTillapplesgrowonthewillowtree。
Adrunkengambler’syoungwifeusedtosingthatsong——toherself。
Astiratthekitchendoor，andacryof\"Pinter，\"andoldPoynton，Ballaratdigger，appearsandisshovedin;hehasseveraldrinksaboard，andtheyproceedto\"gitPinteronthesingin’lay，\"
andatlasttalkhimround。Hehasagoodvoice，butno\"theory\"，andblundersworsethanJimmyNowlettwiththewords。
Hestartswithahowl——
Hoh！
WaydowninCoventGar-ar-r-dingsA-strollingIdidgo，Toseethesweetestflow-ow-wersThate’eringardingsgrow。
Hesawtheroseandlily——theredandwhiteandblue——
andhesawthesweetestflow-ow-ersthate’eringardingsgrew;
forhesawtwolovelymaidens（Pintercalls’em\"virgings\"）
underneath（hemusthavemeantontopof）\"agardingchair\"，singsPinter。
AndonewaslovelyJessie，Withthejetblackeyesandhair，roarsPinter，Andtheotherwasavir-ir-ging，Isolemn-lyedeclare！
\"Maiden，Pinter！\"interjectsMr。Nowlett。
\"Well，it’sallthesame，\"retortsPinter。\"AmaidenISavirging，Jimmy。
Ifyou’resinging，Jimmy，andnotme，I’llleaveoff！\"
Chorusof\"Order！Shutup，Jimmy！\"
Iquicklyestep-peduptoher，Anduntoherdidsa-a-y：
Doyoubelongtoanyyoungman，Hoh，tellmethat，Ipra-a-y？
Heranswer，accordingtoPinter，wassurprisinglypromptandunconventional;
alsofullandconcise：
No;Ibelongtonoyoungman——
Isolemnlyedeclare！
ImeantoliveavirgingAndstillmylaurelswear！
JimmyNowlettattemptstomoveanamendmentinfavourof\"maiden\"，butispromptlysuppressed。ItseemsthatPinter’ssuithasahappytermination，forheissupposedtosinginthecharacterofa\"SailorBold\"，andasheturnstopursuehisstrollin\"CoventGar-ar-dings\"：
\"Oh，no！Oh，no！Oh，no！\"shecried，\"IloveaSailorBold！\"
\"Hong-kore，Pinter！Giveusthe`GoldenGlove’，Pinter！\"
Thuswarmedup，Pinterstartswithanexplanatory\"spoken\"
totheeffectthatthesongheisabouttosingillustratessomeofthelittlewaysofwoman，andhow，nomatterwhatyousayordo，sheisboundtohaveherownwayintheend;alsohow，inoneinstance，shesetaboutgettingit。
Hoh！
Now，it’sofayoungsquoirenearTimworthdiddwell，Whocourtedanobleman’sdaughtersowell——
Thesonghaslittleornothingtodowiththe\"squire\"，exceptsofaras\"allfriendsandrelationshadgivenconsent，\"and——
Thetroo-soowasordered——appointedtheday，Andafarmerwereappointedfortogiveheraway——
whichlastseemedamostunusualproceeding，consideringtheweddingwasatoneyaffair;butperhapstherewerepersonalinterests——
thenoblemanmighthavebeenhardup，andthefarmerbackinghim。
Buttherewasanextraordinarysceneinthechurch，andthingsgotmixed。
Forassoonasthismaidingthisfarmerespied：
\"Hoh，myheart！Hoh，myheart！
Hoh，myheart！\"thenshecried。
Hysterics？Anyway，insteadofbeingwed——
Thismaidentooksickandshewenttoherbed。
（N。B。——Pintersticksto`virging’。）
Whereuponfriendsandrelationsandguestsleftthehouseinabody（astrangebutperhapsawiseproceeding，afterall——maybetheysmeltarat）
andlefthertorecoveralone，whichshedidpromptly。Andthen：
Shirt，breeches，andwaistcoatthismaidingputon，Anda-huntingshewentwithherdogandhergun;
Shehuntedallroundwherethisfarmierdiddwell，Becauseinherownheartshelove-edhimwell。
Thecat’soutofthebagnow：
Andoftenshefired，butnogameshekilled——
whichwasnotsurprising——
Tillatlasttheyoungfarmiercameintothefield——
Nowonder。Sheputittohimstraight：
\"Oh，whyareyounotatthewedding？\"shecried，\"Fortowaitonthesquoire，andtogivehimhisbride。\"
HewasaspromptandasdelightfullyunconventionalinhisreplyastheyoungladyinCoventGardings：
\"Oh，no！andoh，no！ForthetruthImustsa-a-y，Ilovehertoowellfortogivehera-w-a-a-y！\"
whichwassatisfactorytothedisguised\"virging\"。
\"……andI’dtakeswordinhand，AndbyhonourI’dwinherifshewouldcommand。\"
Whichwasstillmoresatisfactory。
Nowthisvirging，being——
（JimmyNowlett：\"Maiden，Pinter——\"Jimisthrownonastoolandsatonbyseveraldiggers。）
Nowthismaiding，beingplease-edtoseehimsobold，Shegavehimherglovethatwasfloweredwithgold，andexplainedthatshefounditinhisfieldwhilehuntingaroundwithherdogandhergun。Itisunderstoodthathepromisedtolookuptheowner。Thenshewenthomeandputanadvertisementinthelocal`Herald’;andthatad。musthavecausedconsiderablesensation。
Shestatedthatshehadlosthergoldenglove，andTheyoungmanthatfindsitandbringsittome，Hoh！thatveryyoungmanmyhusbandshallbe！
Shehadasavingclauseincasetheyoungfarmermislaidtheglovebeforehesawthead。，andanOLDblokegotholtofitandfetcheditalong。
Buteverythingwentallright。Theyoungfarmerturnedupwiththeglove。
Hewasaveryrespectableyoungfarmer，andexpressedhisgratitudetoherforhaving\"honour-edhimwithherlove。\"Theyweremarried，andthesongendswithapictureoftheyoungfarmeressmilkingthecow，andtheyoungfarmergoingwhistlingtoplough。ThefactthattheylivedandgraftedontheselectionprovesthatIhittherightnailontheheadwhenIguessed，inthefirstplace，thattheoldnoblemanwas\"stony\"。
Inafteryears，……shetoldhimofthefun，Howshehuntedhimupwithherdogandhergun。
Butwhetherhewaspleasedorotherwisetohearit，afteryearsofmatrimonialexperiences，theoldsongdoesn’tsay，foritendsthere。
FlashJackismoresuccessfulwith\"SaintPatrick’sDay\"。
Icometotheriver，Ijumpeditquiteclever！
Mewifetumbledin，andIlostherforever，St。Patrick’sowndayinthemornin’！
ThisisgreatlyappreciatedbyJimmyNowlett，whoissuspected，especiallybyhiswife，ofbeingmorecheerfulwhenontheroadsthanwhenathome……
\"SamHolt\"wasagreatfavouritewithJimmyNowlettinafteryears。
Oh，doyourememberBlackAlice，SamHolt？
BlackAlicesodirtyanddark——
Who’danoseonherface——Iforgethowitgoes——
AndteethlikeaMoretonBayshark。
SamHoltmusthavebeenveryhardupfortuckeraswellasbeautythen，forDoyourememberthe’possumsandgrubsShebakedforyoudownbythecreek？
SamHoltwas，apparently，ahardenedflashJack。
Youwerenotquitethecleanlypotato，SamHolt。
Referenceismadetohis\"mannerofholdingaflush\"，andheisaskedtorememberseveralthingswhichhe，nodoubt，wouldratherforget，including……thehidingyougotfromtheboys。
Thesongisdecidedlypersonal。
ButSamHoltmakesapileandgoeshome，leavingmanyabetterandworsemantopadthehoofOutBack。And——JimNowlettsangthiswithsomuchfeelingastomakeitappearapersonalaffairbetweenhimandtheabsentHolt——
And，don’tyourememberthefiver，SamHolt，Youborrowedsocarelessandfree？
IreckonI’llwhistleagoodmanytunes（withincreasingfeeling）
Ereyouthinkofthatfiverandme。
ForthechanceswillbethatSamHolt’soldmateWillbehumpinghisdrumontheHughendenRoadTotheendofthechapteroffate……
Anechofrom\"TheOldBarkHut\"，sungintheoppositioncampacrossthegully：
Youmayleavethedoorajar，butifyoukeepitshut，There’snoneedofsuffocationintheOuldBarrkHut……
Thetucker’sinthegin-case，butyou’dbetterkeepitshut——
FortheflieswillcantherrounditintheOuldBarkHut。
However：
What’soutofsightisoutofmind，intheOuldBarkHut……
WewashedourgreasymoleskinsOnthebanksoftheCondamine。——
Somebodytacklingthe\"OldBullockDray\";itmustbeoverfiftyversesnow。
Isawabushmanatacountrydancestarttosingthatsong;
he’dgetuptotenorfifteenverses，breakdown，andstartafresh。
Atlasthesatdownonhisheeltoit，inthecentreoftheclearfloor，restinghiswristonhisknee，andkeepingtimewithanindexfinger。
Itwasveryfunny，butthethingwastakenseriouslyallthrough。
IrreverentechofromtheoldLambingFlattrouble，fromcampacrossthegully：
RuleBritannia！Britanniarulesthewaves！
NomoreChinamenwillenterNooSouthWales！
andYankeeDoodlecametotownOnalittlepony——
Stickafeatherinhiscap，AndcallhimMaccaroni！
Allthecampsseemtobesingingto-night：
Ringthebell，watchman！
Ring！Ring！Ring！
Ring，forthegoodnewsIsnowonthewing！
Goodlines，theintroduction：
Highonthebelfrytheoldsextonstands，Graspingtheropewithhisthinbonyhands！……
Bon-firesareblazingthroughouttheland……
Gloriousandblessedtidings！Ring！Ringthebell！……
GrannyMathewsfailstocoaxhernieceintothekitchen，butpersuadeshertosinginside。Sheisthegirlwholearnt`subrosa’
fromthebadgirlwhosang\"Madeline\"。Suchashavethemoninstinctivelytaketheirhatsoff。Diggers，&c。，strollingpast，haltatthefirstnotesofthegirl’svoice，andstandlikestatuesinthemoonlight：
Shallwegatherattheriver，Wherebrightangelfeethavetrod？
Thebeautiful——thebeautifulriverThatflowsbythethroneofGod！——
Diggerswantedtosendthatgirl\"Home\"，butGrannyMathewshadtheold-fashionedhorrorofanyofherchildrenbecoming\"public\"——
Gatherwiththesaintsattheriver，ThatflowsbythethroneofGod！……
Butitgrowslate，orrather，early。The\"Eyetalians\"gobyinthefrostymoonlight，fromtheirlastshiftintheclaim（foritisSaturdaynight），singingalitany。
\"Getupononeend，Abe！——standupall！\"Handsareclaspedacrossthekitchentable。Redclay，oneofthelastofthealluvialfields，haspeteredout，andtheRoaringDaysaredying……Thegrandoldsongthatisknownallovertheworld;yethowmanyintenthousandknowmorethanoneverseandthechorus？LetPeterMcKenzielead：
Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot，Andneverbroughttomin’？
Andheartsechofromfarbackinthepastandacrosswide，wideseas：
Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot，Anddayso’langsyne？
Nowboys！alltogether！
Forauldlangsyne，mydear，Forauldlangsyne，We’lltak’acupo’kindnessyet，Forauldlangsyne。
Wetwahaerunaboutthebraes，Andpu’dthegowansfine;
Butwe’vewanderedmonyawearyfoot，Sin’auldlangsyne。
Theworldwaswidethen。
Wetwahaepaidl’ti’theburn，Fraemornin’suntilldine：
thelogfireseemstogrowwatery，forinwide，lonelyAustralia——
Butseasbetweenusbraidhaeroar’d，Sin’auldlangsyne。
Thekitchengrowsdimmer，andtheformsofthedigger-singersseemedsuddenlyvagueandunsubstantial，fadingbackrapidlythroughamistyveil。Butthewordsringstronganddefiantthroughhardyears：
Andhere’sahand，mytrustyfrien’，Andgie’sagrupo’thine;
Andwe’lltak’acupo’kindnessyet，Forauldlangsyne……
AndthenettleshavebeengrowingforovertwentyyearsonthespotwhereGrannyMathews’bigbarkkitchenstood。
AVisionofSandyBlightI’dbeenhumpingmyback，andcrouchingandgroaningforanhourorsointhedarkestcornerofthetravellers’hut，torturedbythedemonofsandyblight。Itwastoohottotravel，andtherewasnoonethereexceptourselvesandMitchell’scattlepup。
Wewerewaitingtillaftersundown，forIcouldn’thavetravelledinthedaylight，anyway。Mitchellhadtiedawettowelroundmyeyes，andledmeforthelastmileortwobyanothertowel——
oneendfastenedtohisbeltbehind，andtheotherinmyhandasIwalkedinhistracks。Andoh！butthiswasarelief！
Itwasoutofthedustandglare，andthefliesdidn’tcomeintothedarkhut，andIcouldhumpandstickmykneesinmyeyesandgroanincomfort。
Ididn’twantathousandayear，oranything;Ionlywantedreliefformyeyes——thatwasallIprayedforinthisworld。Whenthesungotdownabit，Mitchellstartedpokinground，andpresentlyhefoundamongsttherubbishadirty-lookingmedicinebottle，corkedtight;whenherubbedthedirtoffapieceofnotepaperthatwaspastedon，hesaw\"eye-water\"writtenonit。
Hedrewthecorkwithhisteeth，smeltthewater，stuckhislittlefingerin，turnedthebottleupsidedown，tastedthetopofhisfinger，andreckonedthestuffwasallright。
\"Here！Wakeup，Joe！\"heshouted。\"Here’sabottleoftears。\"
\"Abottlerwot？\"Igroaned。
\"Eye-water，\"saidMitchell。
\"Areyousureit’sallright？\"Ididn’twanttobepoisonedorhavemyeyesburntoutbymistake;perhapssomeburningacidhadgotintothatbottle，orthelabelhadbeenputon，orlefton，inmistakeorcarelessness。
\"Idunno，\"saidMitchell，\"butthere’snoharmintryin’。\"
Ichancedit。Ilaydownonmybackinabunk，andMitchelldraggedmylidsupandspilthalfabottleofeye-waterovermyeye-balls。
Thereliefwasalmostinstantaneous。Ineverexperiencedsuchaquickcureinmylife。Icarriedthebottleinmyswagforalongtimeafterwards，withanideaofgettingitanalysed，butleftitbehindatlastinacamp。
Mitchellscratchedhisheadthoughtfully，andwatchedmeforawhile。
\"IthinkI’llwaitabitlonger，\"hesaidatlast，\"andifitdoesn’tblindyouI’llputsomeinmyeyes。I’mgettingatouchofblightmyselfnow。
That’sthefaultoftravellingwithamatewho’salwayscatchingsomethingthat’snogoodtohim。\"
Asitgrewdarkoutsidewetalkedofsandy-blightandfly-bite，andsand-fliesupnorth，andordinaryflies，andbranchedofftoBarcoorot，andstruckthetrackagainatbeesandbeestings。Whenwegottobees，Mitchellsatsmokingforawhileandlookingdreamilybackwardsalongtracksandbranchtracks，androundcornersandcircleshehadtravelled，rightbacktotheshort，narrow，innocentbitoftrackthatendsinavague，mistypoint——liketheendofalong，straight，clearedroadinthemoonlight——asfarbackaswecanremember……
\"Ihadaboutfourteenhives，\"saidMitchell——\"weusedtocallthem`swarms’，nomatterwhethertheywereflyingorinthebox——whenIlefthomefirsttime。Ikeptthembehindtheshed，intheshade，ontablesofgalvanisedironcasesturneddownonstakes;
butIhadtomakelegslateron，andstandtheminpansofwater，onaccountoftheants。Whenthebeesswarmed——andsomehivessentouttheLordknowshowmanyswarmsinayear，itseemedtome——
we’dtin-kettle’em，andthrowwateron’em，tomake’embelievethebiggestthunderstormwascomingtodrowntheoldestinhabitant;
and，iftheydidn’tgetthestartofusandrise，they’dsettleonabranch——
generallyononeofthescraggyfruittrees。Itwasroughonthebees——
cometothinkofit;theirinstincttoldthemitwasgoingtobefine，andthenoiseandwatertoldthemitwasraining。Theymusthavethoughtthatnaturewasmad，drunk，orgoneratty，ortheendoftheworldhadcome。
We’drigupatable，withaboxupsidedown，underthebranch，coverourfacewithapieceofmosquitonet，haveragsburninground，andthengivethebranchasuddenjerk，turntheboxdown，andrun。Ifwegotmostofthebeesin，therestthatwerehangingtotheboughorflyingroundwouldfollow，andthenwereckonedwe’dshookthequeenin。
Ifthebeesintheboxcameoutandjoinedtheothers，we’dreckonwehadn’tshookthequeenin，andgoforthemagain。
Whenahivewasfullofhoneywe’dturntheboxupsidedown，turntheemptyboxmouthdownontopofit，anddrumandhammeronthelowerboxwithasticktillallthebeeswentupintothetopbox。
Isupposeitmadetheirheadsache，andtheywentuponthataccount。
\"Isupposethingsaredonedifferentlyonproperbee-farms。
I’veheardthatabee-farmerwillpartahangingswarmwithhisfingers，takeoutthequeenbeeandarrangematterswithher;butourwayssuitedus，andtherewasalotofexpectationandrunningandexcitementinit，especiallywhenaswarmtookusbysurprise。Theyellof`Beesswarmin’！’
wasasgoodtousastheyellof`Fight！’isnow，or`Bolt！’intown，or`Fire’or`Manoverboard！’atsea。
\"Therewastonsofhoney。Thebeesusedtogotothevineyardsatwine-makingandgethoneyfromtheheapsofcrushedgrape-skinsthrownoutinthesun，andgetsodrunksometimesthattheywobbledintheirbee-lineshome。
They’dfillalltheboxes，andthenbuildinbetweenandunderthebark，andboard，andtincovers。Theyneverseemedtogettheideaoutoftheirheadsthatthiswasn’tanevergreencountry，anditwasn’tgoingtosnowallwinter。MyyoungerbrotherJoeusedtoputpiecesofmeatonthetablesneartheboxes，andinfrontoftheholeswherethebeeswentinandout，forthedogstograbat。Butoneolddog，`BlackBill’，wasamatchforhim;
ifitwasworthBill’swhile，he’dcampthere，andkeepJoeandtheotherdogsfromtouchingthemeat——onceitwasputdown——tillthebeesturnedinforthenight。AndJoewouldgettheotherkidsroundthere，andwhentheyweren’tlookingorthinking，he’dbrushthebeeswithastickandrun。
I’dlamhimwhenIcaughthimatit。Hewasanawfulyoungdevil，wasJoe，andhegrewupsteady，andrespectable，andrespected——andIwenttothebad。Inevertrustagoodboynow……Ah，well！
\"Irememberthefirstswarmwegot。We’dbeentalkingofgettingafewswarmsforalongtime。ThatwaswhatwasthematterwithusEnglishandIrishandEnglish-IrishAustralianfarmers：
weusedtotalksomuchaboutdoingthingswhiletheGermansandScotchdidthem。Andweeventalkedinalazy，easy-goingsortofway。
\"Well，oneblazinghotdayIsawfathercomingalongtheroad，hometodinner（wehaditinthemiddleoftheday），withhisaxeoverhisshoulder。
Inoticedtheaxeparticularlybecausefatherwasbringingithometogrind，andJoeandIhadtoturnthestone;but，whenInoticedJoedraggingalonghomeinthedustaboutfiftyyardsbehindfather，Ifelteasierinmymind。SuddenlyfatherdroppedtheaxeandstartedtorunbackalongtheroadtowardsJoe，who，assoonashesawfathercoming，shiedforthefenceandgotthrough。Hethoughthewasgoingtocatchitforsomethinghe’ddone——orhadn’tdone。Joeusedtodosomanythingsandleavesomanythingsnotdonethathecouldneverbesureoffather。
Besides，fatherhadawayofstartingtohammerusunexpectedly——
whentheideastruckhim。Butfatherpulledhimselfupinaboutthirtyyardsandstartedtograbuphandfulsofdustandsandandthrowthemintotheair。
Myidea，inthefirstflash，wastogetholdoftheaxe，forIthoughtitwassun-stroke，andfathermighttakeitintohisheadtostartchoppingupthefamilybeforeIcouldpersuadehimtoputit（hishead，Imean）
inabucketofwater。ButJoecamerunninglikemad，yelling：
\"`Swarmer——bees！Swawmmer——bee——ee——es！Bring——a——tin——dish——
and——a——dippera——wa-a-ter！’
\"Iranwithabucketofwaterandanoldfrying-pan，andprettysoontherestofthefamilywereonthespot，throwingdustandwater，andbangingeverything，tinoriron，theycouldgetholdof。
Theonlybullockbellinthedistrict（ifitwasinthedistrict）
wasontheoldpoleycow，andshe’dbeenlostforafortnight。
Motherbroughtuptherear——butsoonworkedtothefront——
withabaking-dishandabigspoon。Theoldlady——shewasn’toldthen——
hadadeep-rootedprejudicethatshecoulddoeverythingbetterthananybodyelse，andthattheselectionandallonitwouldgotothedogsifshewasn’ttheretolookafterit。
Therewasnojoltingthatideaoutofher。Shenotonlybelievedthatshecoulddoanythingbetterthananybody，andherswastheonlyrightorpossibleway，andthatwe’ddoeverythingupsidedownifshewasn’ttheretodoitorshowushow——butshe’dtrytodothingsherselforinsistonmakingusdothemherway，andthatledtomessesandrows。Shewasexcitednow，andtookcommandatonce。Shewasn’ttongue-tied，andhadnoimpedimentinherspeech。
\"`Don’tthrowupdust！——Stopthrowingupdust！——
Doyouwanttosmother’em？——Don’tthrowupsomuchwater！——
Onlythrowupapannikinatatime！——D’yerwanttodrown’em？
Bang！Keeponbanging，Joe！——Lookatthatchild！Run，someone！——run！
you，Jack！——D’yerwantthechildtobestungtodeath？——
Takeherinside！……Dy’hearme？……Stopthrowingupdust，Tom！
（Tofather。）You’rescaring’emaway！Can’tyouseetheywanttosettle？’
[Fatherwasgettingmadandyelping：`ForGodsakeshettupandgoinside。’]
`Throwupwater，Jack！Throwup——Tom！Takethatbucketfromhimanddon’tmakesuchafoolofyourselfbeforethechildren！
Throwupwater！Throw——keeponbanging，children！Keeponbanging！’
[Motherputherfaithinbanging。]`There！——they’reoff！You’velost’em！
Iknewyouwould！Itoldyer——keeponbang——！’
\"Abeestruckherintheeye，andshegrabbedatit！
\"Motherwenthome——andinside。
\"Fatherwasgoodatbees——couldmanagethemlikesheepwhenhegottoknowtheirideas。Whentheswarmsettled，hesentusfortheoldwashingstool，boxes，bags，andsoon;andthewholetimehewasfixingthebeesInoticedthatwheneverhisbackwasturnedtoushisshoulderswouldjerkupasifhewascold，andheseemedtoshudderfrominside，andnowandthenI’dhearagruntingsortofwhimperlikeaboythatwasjuststartingtoblubber。Butfatherwasn’tweeping，andbeesweren’tstinginghim;
itwasthebeethatstungmotherthatwasticklingfather。Whenhewentintothehouse，mother’sothereyehadbungedforsympathy。Fatherwasalwaysgentleandkindinsickness，andhebathedmother’seyesandrubbedmudon，buteverynowandthenhe’dcatchinside，andjerkandshudder，andgruntandcough。Mothergotwild，butpresentlythehumourofitstruckher，andshehadtolaugh，andarumlaughitwas，withbotheyesbungedup。Thenshegothysterical，andstartedtocry，andfatherputhisarmroundhershoulderandorderedusoutofthehouse。
\"Theywereveryfondofeachother，theoldpeoplewere，underitall——
rightuptotheend……Ah，well！\"
Mitchellpulledtheswagsoutofabunk，andstartedtofastenthenose-bagson。
AndyPage’sRivalTallandfreckledandsandy，Faceofacountrylout;
ThatwasthepictureofAndy——
Middleton’srouseabout。
OnMiddleton’swidedominionsPliedthestock-whipandshears;
Hadn’tanyopinions——————
Andhehadn’tany\"ideers\"——atleast，hesaidsohimself——
exceptasregardedanythingthatlookedtohimlikewhathecalled\"funnybusiness\"，underwhichheadinghecataloguedtyranny，treachery，interferencewiththelibertyofthesubjectbythesubject，\"blanky\"lies，orswindles——allthings，inshort，thatseemedtohisslowunderstandingdishonest，meanorpaltry;
mostespecially，andaboveall，treacherytoamate。
THAThecouldneverforget。Andywasuncomfortably\"straight\"。
Hismindworkedslowlyandhisdecisionswere，asarule，rightandjust;
andwhenheoncecametoaconclusionconcerninganymanormatter，ordecideduponacourseofaction，nothingshortofanearthquakeoraNevertirecyclonecouldmovehimbackaninch——unlessaconvictionwereseverelyshaken，andthenhewouldrequireasmuchtimeto\"back\"tohisstartingpointashedidtocometothedecision。
Andyhadcometoaconclusionwithregardtoaselector’sdaughter——name，LizziePorter——wholived（andslaved）onherfather’sselection，nearthetownshipcorneroftherunonwhichAndywasageneral\"hand\"。
Hehadbeeninthehabitforseveralyearsofcallingcasuallyattheselector’shouse，asherodetoandfrobetweenthestationandthetown，togetadrinkofwaterandexchangethetimeofdaywitholdPorterandhis\"missus\"。Theconversationconcernedthedrought，andthelikelihoodorotherwiseoftheirevergoingtogetalittlerain;
oraboutPorter’scattle，withanoccasionalenquiryconcerning，orreferenceto，astraycowbelongingtotheselection，butpreferringtherun;alittle，plump，saucy，whitecow，by-the-way，practicallypurewhite，butreferredtobyAndy——whohadeyeslikeablackfellow——as\"oldSpeckledy\"。Nooneelsecoulddetectaspotorspeckleonheratacasualglance。
Thenafteralongbovinesilence，whichwouldhavebeenpainfullyembarrassinginanyothersociety，andatiltingofhiscabbage-treehatforward，whichcameofticklingandscratchingthesun-blotchednapeofhisneckwithhislittlefinger，Andywouldslowlysay：\"Ah，well。Imustbegettin’。
So-long，Mr。Porter。So-long，Mrs。Porter。\"And，ifSHEwereinevidence——asshegenerallywasonsuchoccasions——\"So-long，Lizzie。\"
Andthey’dshout：\"So-long，Andy，\"ashegallopedofffromthejump。
Strangethatthoseshy，quiet，gentle-voicedbushmenseemthehardestandmostrecklessriders。
ButoflatehishorsehadbeenseenhangingupoutsidePorter’sforanhourorsoaftersunset。Hesmoked，talkedovertheresultsofthelastdrought（ifithappenedtorain），andthepossibilitiesofthenextone，andplayedcardswitholdPorter;
whotooktowinking，automatically，athis\"oldwoman\"，andnudging，andjerkinghisthumbinthedirectionofLizziewhenherbackwasturned，andAndywasscratchingthenapeofhisneckandstaringatthecards。
Lizzietoldaladyfriendofmine，yearsafterwards，howAndypoppedthequestion;tolditinherquietway——youknowLizzie’squietway（somethingoftheold，privilegedhouse-catabouther）;
neverasigninexpressionortonetoshowwhethersheherselfsaworappreciatedthehumourofanythingshewastelling，nomatterhowcomicalitmightbe。Shehadwitnessedtwotragedies，andhadfoundadeadmaninthebush，andrelatedtheincidentsasthoughtheywerecommon-place。
Ithappenedoneday——afterAndyhadbeencomingtwoorthreetimesaweekforaboutayear——thatshefoundherselfsittingwithhimonalogofthewoodheap，inthecooloftheevening，enjoyingthesunsetbreeze。Andy’sarmhadgotroundher——
justasitmighthavegoneroundaposthehappenedtobeleaningagainst。
Theyhadn’tbeentalkingaboutanythinginparticular。Andysaidhewouldn’tbesurprisediftheyhadathunderstormbeforemornin’——
ithadbeensosmotherin’hotallday。
Lizziesaid，\"Verylikely。\"
Andysmokedagoodwhile，thenhesaid：\"Ah，well！It’sawearyworld。\"
Lizziedidn’tsayanything。
By-and-byeAndysaid：\"Ah，well;it’salonelyworld，Lizzie。\"
\"Doyoufeellonely，Andy？\"askedLizzie，afterawhile。
\"Yes，Lizzie;Ido。\"
Lizzieletherselfsettle，alittle，againsthim，withouteitherseemingtonoticeit，andafteranotherwhileshesaid，softly：
\"SodoI，Andy。\"
Andyknockedtheashesfromhispipeveryslowlyanddeliberately，andputitaway;thenheseemedtobrightensuddenly，andsaidbriskly：
\"Well，Lizzie！Areyousatisfied！\"
\"Yes，Andy;I’msatisfied。\"
\"Quitesure，now？\"
\"Yes;I’mquitesure，Andy。I’mperfectlysatisfied。\"
\"Well，then，Lizzie——it’ssettled！\"……
Butto-day——acoupleofmonthsaftertheproposaldescribedabove——
Andyhadtroubleonhismind，andthetroublewasconnectedwithLizziePorter。Hewasputtingupatwo-railfencealongtheoldlog-paddockonthefrontage，andworkinglikeamanintrouble，tryingtoworkitoffhismind;andevidentlynotsucceeding——
forthelasttwopanelswereoutofline。Hewasrammingapost——
Andyrammedhonestly，fromthebottomofthehole，notthelastfewshovelfulsbelowthesurface，assomedo。Hewasrammingthelastlayerofclaywhenacloudofwhitedustcamealongtheroad，paused，anddriftedorpouredoffintothescrub，leavinglongDaveBentley，thehorse-breaker，onhislastvictim。
\"’Ello，Andy！Graftin’？\"
\"Iwanttospeaktoyou，Dave，\"saidAndy，inastrangevoice。
\"All——allright！\"saidDave，ratherpuzzled。Hegotdown，wonderingwhatwasup，andhunghishorsetothelastpostbutone。
DavewasAndy’soppositeinonerespect：hejumpedtoconclusions，aswomendo;but，unlikewomen，hewasmostlywrong。HewasanoldchumandmateofAndy’swhohadalwaysliked，admired，andtrustedhim。
Butnow，tohishelplesssurprise，Andywentonscrapingtheearthfromthesurfacewithhislong-handledshovel，andheapingitconscientiouslyroundthebuttofthepost，hisfacelikeablockofwood，andhislipssetgrimly。Davebrokeoutfirst（withbushoaths）：
\"What’sthematterwithyou？Spititout！WhathaveIbeendoin’toyou？
What’syergotyerragoutabout，anyway？\"
Andyfacedhimsuddenly，withhatredfor\"funnybusiness\"
flashinginhiseyes。
\"WhatdidyousaytomysisterMaryaboutLizziePorter？\"
Davestarted;thenhewhistledlongandlow。\"Spititallout，Andy！\"
headvised。
\"Yousaidshewastravellin’withafeller！\"
\"Well，what’stheharminthat？Everybodyknowsthat——\"
\"IfanycrawlersaysawordaboutLizziePorter——lookhere，meandyou’sgottofight，DaveBentley！\"Then，withstillgreatervehemence，asthoughhehadashareinthegarment：\"Takeoffthatcoat！\"
\"NotifIknowit！\"saidDave，withthesuddenquietnessthatcomestobravebutheadstrongandimpulsivemenatacriticalmoment：
\"Meandyouain’tgoin’tofight，Andy;and\"（withsuddenenergy）
\"ifyoutryitonI’llknockyouintojim-rags！\"
Then，steppingclosetoAndyandtakinghimbythearm：
\"Andy，thisthingwillhavetobefixedup。Comehere;
Iwanttotalktoyou。\"Andheledhimsomepacesaside，insidetheboundaryline，whichseemedaludicrouslyunnecessaryprecaution，seeingthattherewasnoonewithinsightorhearingsaveDave’shorse。
\"Now，lookhere，Andy;let’shaveitover。What’sthematterwithyouandLizziePorter？\"
\"I’Mtravellin’withher，that’sall;andwe’regoingtogetmarriedintwoyears！\"
Davegaveventtoanotherlong，lowwhistle。Heseemedtothinkandmakeuphismind。
\"Now，lookhere，Andy：we’reoldmates，ain’twe？\"
\"Yes;Iknowthat。\"
\"AnddoyouthinkI’dtellyouablankylie，orcrawlbehindyourback？
Doyou？Spititout！\"
\"N——no，Idon’t！\"
\"I’vealwaysstuckupforyou，Andy，and——why，I’vefoughtforyoubehindyourback！\"
\"Iknowthat，Dave。\"
\"There’smyhandonit！\"
Andytookhisfriend’shandmechanically，butgrippedithard。
\"Now，Andy，I’lltellyoustraight：It’sGorstruthaboutLizziePorter！\"
Theystoodastheywereforafullminute，handsclasped;
AndywithhisjawdroppedandstaringinadazedsortofwayatDave。
Heraisedhisdisengagedhandhelplesslytohisthatch，gulpedsuspiciously，andaskedinabrokenvoice：
\"How——howdoyouknowit，Dave？\"
\"Knowit？Andy，ISEEN’EMMESELF！\"
\"Youdid，Dave？\"inatonethatsuggestedsorrowmorethanangeratDave’spartintheseeingofthem。
\"Gorstruth，Andy！\"……
\"Tellme，Dave，whowasthefeller？That’sallIwanttoknow。\"
\"Ican’ttellyouthat。IonlyseenthemwhenIwascanterin’pastinthedusk。\"
\"Thenhow’dyouknowitwasamanatall？\"
\"Itworetrousers，anyway，andwasasbigasyou;soitcouldn’thavebeenagirl。I’mprettysafetoswearitwasMickKelly。
Isawhishorsehangin’upatPorter’sonceortwice。
ButI’lltellyouwhatI’lldo：I’llfindoutforyou，Andy。
And，what’smore，I’lljobhimforyouifIcatchhim！\"
Andysaidnothing;hishandsclenchedandhischestheaved。
Davelaidafriendlyhandonhisshoulder。
\"It’sredhot，Andy，Iknow。AnybodyelsebutyouandIwouldn’thavecared。
Butdon’tbeafool;there’sanyGorsquantityofgirlsknockin’round。
Youjustgiveittoherstraightandchuckher，andhavedonewithit。
Youmustbebadofftobotherabouther。Gorstruth！sheain’tmuchtolookatanyway！I’vegottoridelikeblazestocatchthecoach。
Don’tknockofftillIcomeback;Iwon’tbeaboveanhour。
I’mgoin’togiveyousomepointsincaseyou’vegottofightMick;
andI’llhavetobetheretobackyou！\"And，thustakingtherightmomentinstinctively，hejumpedonhishorseandgallopedontowardsthetown。
Hisdust-cloudhadscarcelydisappearedroundacornerofthepaddockswhenAndywasawareofanotheronecomingtowardshim。HehadadazedideathatitwasDavecomingback，butwentondigginganotherpost-hole，mechanically，untilaspring-cartrattledup，andstoppedoppositehim。
Thenheliftedhishead。ItwasLizzieherself，drivinghomefromtown。
Sheturnedtowardshimwithherusualfaintsmile。Hersmallfeatureswere\"washedout\"andratherhaggard。
\"’Ello，Andy！\"
But，atthesightofher，allhishatredof\"funnybusiness\"
——intensified，perhaps，byasenseofpersonalinjury——cametoahead，andheexploded：
\"Lookhere，LizziePorter！Iknowallaboutyou。Youneedn’tthinkyou’regoin’tocottononwithmeanymoreafterthis！
Iwouldn’tbeseeninapaddockwithyer！I’msatisfiedaboutyou！
Getonoutofthis！\"
Thegirlstaredathimforamomentthunderstruck;thenshelammedintotheoldhorsewithastickshecarriedinplaceofawhip。
