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
