Ellsworth American., 1876-06-08
Miscfll
Swimming with Swsgs.

stop, sir! stop
| WAS cantering round the last turn into
what we called The straight leading up
TO kilvery station. where hhy thousand
sheep were pAslured, on the borders OF
Victoria and New south Wales. The cry
more N "A cry than an injnnction--mads
me draw rein. There was no one 10 be
seen along the path tratiicked out OF clus-
,,rs OF waffle and underground 1t ran lew
el and white as a ruled line toward a cou-
pie OF big trses that threw contrast Of
rusty olive against hay-colored grass.
pulled Teuter up and listened, readyifor
a sudden start-ready and somewhat anX-
iOus. too. for the bush was not at all safe
during those hot summers We had few
years after that day OF fire called Black
rhurs.iay In the loneliness and on the
Wilderness of the ceaselcss plans iufii.",
prowleS, TO whose sayagery aud deyiidom
the firing OF squatters' runs and the viola
tlon Of women were credited. Whispered
rumors traced their progress toward hll-
very of late, and was anxious. For an III
stani there was no further sound, but In
that which followed | detected slight
rusilng near where | was; then pale,
anxious face looked out upon me from the
brush with a curious air OF cntreaiy.
II was broad surly face. with high
cheekboues, with gray cold eyes. II was
a worn face. upon which deep lines lay,
hardened in by The wear that gave II the
wornness; IL looked like lie record OF
excess and dght. The massive jaws sur
mounted throat and chest that were
broad and bare II was not the face to meet
on = lonely road At that time, aud Tenter
started TO the spur again. But somehow
a feeling as Of familiarity with the express
sion flashed upon me just as the horse re-
sumed his pace, aud turned me In the sad
die to look again. The man was standing
out upon the road, wearing gauntuess oil
look and attitude half sulen aud nalf de-
jected.
Come here, Mr.. waltham. Don't you
know me?''
pulled rein for the second time, and
rode slowly back. At twenty-five, l was
match for mos men in strength and quick
ness, so | let the loaded handle OF the
stock whip fall through my hand I'LL l
grasped the top over the thong fastening.
half drawn by the voice and half repeiied
by the man.
It's two years since left kilvery, and
/ like as not a-wanderin' about aud a-shavin
| of myself has changed me. Id forgotten
that, Mr.. Waltham. Tm Norris"
What. Bush Norris? You hdre chang
ed"
Norris was q dangerous man ana reck-
less man, but the best servant the station
ever had. lie had lived at the homestead
for five years, commanding that respect
that is borne of strength and determina-
ton from others who had wild histories as
well as he. Norris had been suspected Of
stealing rations; he admitted the theit
at once. The reason? HIS strong face set
! tied down into doggedness, and his heavy
lip, met in an unyielding line. de was
dismissed.
| "Well. YES, / hey changed; but it's no
use a-jawin' about that. Come into the
scrub a bit; l want to speak to you. You
might be seen--an' there's no time to
spare"
Might be seen. The road was as bare as
track over a Caucasian steppe.
might be seen! What tdo you mean?
"Come in. Sir"
With the same earnest expression on the
forbiddlng face as before, and the same
half entreaty pervading his big voice, he
retreated among the branches.
Alighting from the horse, led him aftel
me bv the rein and followed. but lowering
my grip on the whip handle TO grasp
stronger place. ~
Now. Norris, what do you wantr
"Is the horse out of sight, SIrT
Yes"
rhe next few words the man spoke tolt
me that he felt he was in some kind OF po
stion to assume superiority. His tone a
well as his manner altered into rapidit.
and curtness. He became stern, but still
remained earnest.
You was at the bush fire."
'.I'm jnst coming back"
"Whe's there?'
.An hands,
who's at the stationT'
paused. There came rush of coHviC
ton upon me that l had been impruden'
The station was not two miles away. Nal
ion Walmer, the daughter OF the owner G
r Kilvery, and her cousin, Emily RitcheI
were at home. There were two useles
women-servants with them, and not ma
!, near. Every ''hand' had been mounte
aud had ridden forth to fight the bush fiji
on the plains. let Tenter's reins fall an
, drew back step, with closing grip O
1 the whip handle.
"Oh, cum. cum," said Norris, fully III
derstanding the attitude, and with SOM
s. thing OF passing satisfaction in his vOit
''n0ne o that ere. That amt my game. G
the reins sgin; you're as strong as l am,
D. SO it were my game, an that whips ugl
., l Amt a-goin' to feel yer throat, an git Il
2. horse an gallop up to the blasted 'ous
No, that amt 1t. l owe Miss Marion oI
that's my game. l travelled all night f
~ that ere, Mr.. Waltham."
''What do you means"