The Springfield herald., 1898-12-23
CHAPTER v.

Inc labor OF another day. The delicl'
GUS scent of the wood fires as the flames
rose in the fresh morning air pro-
claimed that tea was being made to be
served out preparatory to the two
hours work that had to be got through
before breakfast-time.
Men stumbled out of their huts
towel and soap in hand. and struggled
down to the creek to wash the cob
webs" out OF their sleepy eyes.
"Mornin'. Doctor" cried one, e. he
passed the kitchen door.
Good hand at plum-duff, Doctor?"
inquired another. Wen see what
you're made of on Sunday, mate. None
OF your stickjaw, mind. Haw, haw!
And SO on, each one having some
rough, good-natured greeting for the
new chum."
Thomas Baynes, the cook, was a
smart. dapper-looking fellow, about
the average height, but slim, and he
went about his work with rapidity
and style that created a good impress
sion at once. In appearance he was
dark almost to swarthiness, but this
had evidently been produced by ex-
posure to the sun. His boyish-looking
face and youthful figure would certain
ly never have led any one to suppose
that he was married man; and, as
many of the men remarked on first
catching sight of him. he had "gone in
for double harness pretty early in the
day."
The doctor, as the cook is generally
styled on station, proved himself
to be as punctual as he was compe-
tent, and as the clock struck seven
he rang the great bell outside the hut
which called all hands to their meal
Up they came, running and skylark-
ing, from the shed, hungry as wolves,
and eager to see what sort of hand
the new chum" was likely to turn
out.
Blessed If those scones amt tip
top" remarked a bearded stockman
with his mouth full. You keep at
that, youngster, and we shan't fall out
We card as 'ow you We're a married
man-what's yer name? Tom?
Well, all I can say is, you've took the
plunge pretty early. Why. you amt
got no whiskers yet. How old are
you?"
"Twenty-three," replied Tom Bay
mes, his face flushing at being made the
subject of general scrutiny.
"Twenty-three! Well, you don't
look it."
fast tNeeYiieT eiiHT. mind, Tom-you'll grow old
mustn't mind Black Dicks talk-he
don't mean 'arf what he says"
where's the missus?" inquired the
man who rejoiced in the name Of Dick.
"She is tired" replied Baynes. "She
is never strong at the best OF times"
That's bad news. We was in hopes
of aving few quadrille-parties and
sich like when we card lady was
coming up to jine us. 'Owever, you
give 'er my VERY kind respects and
tell 'er as 'ow I'll call in some time
this afternoon and drop a card" con-
tinued the man. who had a high opin-
ion of his own witticisms.
Thus, with some coarse jests and
chaff, the meal passed off, and as the
men strolled back to the shed the
general opinion seemed to be that the
youngster knew what he was about,
and was n better cook than the dirty
old fellow who had preceded him.
Soon after they had departed, and
while Baynes was engaged in washing
up tin plates and pannikins, Mr.. Hall
looked into the kitchen.
Getting on all right. Tom?" he in
ouired cheerily That's a good job.
Roguish lot of men up here at these
times, but they mean no harm-you'll
\,
You'll manage the work, eh? There
are a good number Of mouths to feed"
81 am not afraid of the work, sir"
replied Baynes, land think 1 shall get
on all right with the men. They all
seem good-tempered enough"
As he spoke Mr.. Hall fancied he
detected curiously sad tone in the
mans voice, and he thought what a
soft. gentle voice it was compared with
the rough tones of the ordinary bush
hand.
"Your wife-is she pretty well this
morning after her long journey?" he
asked, scrutinizing him sather sharply
Eyes, sir, thank you" replied Tom.
stopping down, as he answered, to pick
up cloth he had dropped.
Mrs. Hall will look in and see her,"
continued the master of Redmount
some time In the course of the :norii-
Ing"
Thank you, sir" answered Baynes;
"but l would much rather-that is, she
would rather not-she is in such a
very nervous state, and her eyes
trouble her so much, that if Mrs. Hall
would excuse her, perhaps she may
grow stronger with rest and care, and
then
"Oh, very welli" said Mr.. Hall.
turning upon his heel. when she Is
feeling better will do as well, only my
wife thought she might help her lit
tie with some needleworls and such
things: but If her eyes are so bad
They are not so bad as all that
Baynes remarked hurriedly-"only
sometimes. | am sure she will be hap
py to undertake any needlework Mrs
Hall wants doing. She is not quick
but she is very clever with her needle.
II l might go up to the house ana
fetch the things she will set to work
at once"
sIFTSI l.. h