according to the state of the mailman's horses. Beggar such a life as this. At it, early and late; working through accounts, and serving-out rations, and one thing or another; and no more chance of distinguishing myself than if I was in jail. I can't stand it much longer, and what's more, I won't. I wish the mail was in. I've got a presentiment of something good this time. If you don't speculate, you won't accumulate, as the saying is; and if a man can't make a rise by some sort of gambling, he may as well lie down and die, straight-off. But the first rise is the difficulty; and, of course, you've got to take the risk."
"What do you do with the rise when you get it?" I asked, drowsily.
"Why, distinguish yourself, of course—what else? There's a great future sticking out for a fellow, if he's got his head screwed on right."
"So there is. Well, what shall it be? Mechanics? Fine opening for an inventive genius there—but you must be up and doing, as the poet says."
"You had all the chances when you were my age," replied Moriarty bitterly. "I'm too late arriving. Everything's invented now."
"True," I observed. "I had n't thought of that objection. Then why not take up some interesting study, and work it out from post to finish? Political Economy, for instance?"
"Anybody could do that," replied the young fellow contemptuously. "I want to distinguish myself."
"Then I'll tell you what you'll do, Moriarty. Take a narrow branch of some scientific study, and restrict yourself to that. Say you devote your life to some special division of the Formicæ?"
"The what?"
"Formicæ. The name is plural. It embraces all the different species of ants."
"Why, there's only about three species of ants altogether; and there's nothing to learn about them except that they make different kinds of hills, and give different kinds of bites. That sort of study would about suit you. Fat lot of distinction a person could get out of ants."
"Still, every avenue to distinction is not closed," I urged. "We're knocking at the gates of Futurity for the Australian pioneer of poetry— fiction—philosophy—what not? You've got all the working, plant ready in your office. There you are!"
"No use, Collins," he replied hopelessly. "I've got the talent, right enough, but I have n't got the patience. In fact, I'm too dash lazy."
"Charge it on the swimming-hole, brother," I sighed.
"No; I can't very well do that. I haven't been there for the last month. I'd go to-night if I had a horse."
"Heavens above!" I murmured; "what would he be like if he was clean? He would distinguish himself in one direction. The material is there."
"Jealousy, jealousy," replied Moriarty disgustedly. "Never mind. I'll make things hum yet. Do you know—I stand to win twenty-four notes on the regatta, besides my chance of the station sweep on the big Flemington, let alone private bets. We'll get news of both events to-day;
