till the swagman lost his individuality—say, five or six hours—but I was rescued from this tyranny by the faint rattle of a buggy on the other side of the river. Idly turning my glass on the two occupants of the vehicle, I recognised one of them as a familiar and valued friend—a farmer, residing five or six miles down the river, on the Victorian side. I rose and walked to the brink as the buggy came opposite.
"Hello! Mr. B
," I shouted."Hello! Collins. I thought you were way back. When did you come down? Why did n't you give us a call?"
"Could n't get across the river without sacrifice of dignity and comfort."
"Yes, you can; easy enough. You can start off now. I'm going across here with Mr. G
, to see some sheep, but I'll be back toward sundown. I'll tell you how you'll manage: Follow straight down the road till you come to the old horse-paddock, nearly opposite our place; then turn to your left, down along the fence ""No use, Mr. B
. I want to get away to-morrow; and you know when we get together ""Yes; I know all about that. But you must come, Collins. There's a dozen things I want your opinion about."
"Indeed I appreciate your sensible valuation of me as a referee, Mr. B
, but I must still decline. I wish I had gone this morning; it's too late now.""Well, I'll feel disappointed. So will Dick. By-the-by, Dick L
has turned up again. He's at our place now. He's off next week—to Fiji, I suspect.""Where has he been this last time?"
"You would n't guess. He's been in the Holy Land. Poked about there for over six months."
"At Jerusalem?"
"Yes; he's been a good deal in Jerusalem. He lived in Jericho for a month; but he spent most of his time at different places up and down the Jordan."
"Did he meet many Scotchmen wandering along that river?"
"I suppose he would meet a good many anywhere—but why there particularly?"
"Well, Byron tells us that on Jordan's banks the arab Campbells stray."
"I don't take."
"Neither do I, Mr. B
.""But I'm perfectly serious, Tom; I am, indeed. I thought you would like to have a yarn with Dick. His descriptions of the Holy Land are worth listening to."
"Say 'Honour bright'."
"Honour bright, then. I say, Collins—did you ever have reason to doubt my word?"
"No; but I always get demoralised out back. Where were you saying I could get across the river?"
"I thought that would fetch the beggar," I heard B
remark to