The record-union., 1896-02-01

appropriated the bag. went down to the
lagoon filled it with water, and came
back to him. Tapping him on the
shoulder, I said: Here, mate, have a
drink"
Now, no one knows, save those who
have experienced the torments of the
fierce fever thirst, what a pleasant sal
utation this is. When addressed, he
rolled over on his back, and l saw his
face for the first time. Having good
memory for descriptions, 1 recognized
him. He was Billie Main, a young fell
low not yet four-and-twenty years of
age, and who had at least half dozen
warrants out against him for horse
stealing in various parts of the colony.
Not utterly bad, however, or without
certain good points, strange as it may
seem; but, alas! easily led; one who,
from the commission of a foolish and
unprecedented act OF dishonesty, and
the keeping of bad company, had been
led to commit more serious crimes, until
he had cut himself off from all chance
Of honest employment, and now led the
miserable life of hunted wild animal.
There is little that is in reality at
tractive in the lives of such as Billie, in
spite of what certain absurd and per-
nicious kind of literature says, and
which is generally penned by those who
know nothing Of the stern and hideous
truth. There was nothing in Billie's
face that was suggestive of the crimi-
nal and foolhardy deeds for which he
had been noted. AS it was, I was an
utter stranger to him, moreover, some
one whom he could not exactly make
OUT; so for the minute he regarded me
with not a little apprehension on his
face, and said: Then you're not
trap"
What do you take me for?" I re-
sponded, knowing there was only one
way of talking to sucn men, and con-
fess feeling not a little sorry for him in
his helpless condition, he looked so
utterly wretehed and neglected
You better take a drink, like good
fellow. And look here; you want to get
back to the shanty, for there's thun-
der-storm coming Ip. I'll stow your
saddles and gear under the tarpaulin
of my wagon when it comes-and here
it is"
And up numbered the heavily laden
twelve horses I slowed away Billie's
belongings, he all the time watching me
with strange mixture of surprise and
curiosity.
You're a new chum, 1 s'pose?" he re-
MAJ ked at length.
Well yes I answered; L don't sup
pose a couple Of years in the country
counts for much. But get up; it's going
to rain"
Thought as much as how you were q
nets chunl." he said. paying no atten-
ton TO my last remark, and taking an
other drink when you've been in
this country a little longer, YOU won't
trouble your head bout every poor beg
gar you happens to find lying under q
gum tree. and whom you don't know.
We'll, Ellie Main.7 I said, Il hap
pen to know you; and do not mean to
assert that the honor OF your acouaint-
ance is such that I'd care to 90 blowing
about it to any of my very particular
friends. But that las nothing to do
with it. I've had the fever myself. and
don't intend to let you lie here. so get
I'D. NY bold hero. Here. give me vour
arm; q drenching in the state you're m
now would just about fix the business
for you"
"Well, you are rum un." he said.
raising himself wearily on his hands
into a sitting position. Then looking at
me with a somewhat more reassured
and pleasanter expression on his face.
he acded: ''S'pose I've got to do as you
tell me. boss
His was a pinched. pale, weary-look-
ing face-not the kind of face one would