Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-07-07

'It's not q pleasant sight. was my
comment II don't know how you can
look at such thing" To me the very
idea of those fawnlike eyes looking at
such a repulsivs object was horrible.
and must have shown my disgust.
my only brother WAS killed by the
bite Of one, she remarked simply. and
then struck it on the head with the butt
end Of her stock whip
81 nave put it out Of its misery any
how but suppose you'll ascribe SOM,
other motive to The action" She turned
to the blacks: "Yarry. here you take
en- This one budgeire follow snake.
+ Then she walked off without so much
rs looking at me before had time to
dissent from this uncslled for dispar-
agement l somehow felt annoyed at
her manner. but went over to the
squatter. who was just finishing some
writing and took seat with him in
the shade under the awning.
"Glad to see you. he said heartily.
"Where's your friend?"
l explained that Jack was finishing
the fence round the grave. What had
occurred seemed to have upset him.
Then we talked about various things.
Soon he had gained from me such in
formation as the names Of the schools
and colleges Jack and had been at and
other matters Of like nature. did
not mind telling him such things. 70.
In the Australian back blocks. in the
most unlikely places, you meet all sorts
and conditions of men. SO that nothing
comes in the nature of q surprise.
| also told him that Jack and l were
travelling overland to the diggings new
| iy broken out in Western Australia.
~ can't but think that you re max
ing a mistake" remarked the squattel
at this point. "Im led to understand
it's miserably dry country. SO
should wait If were you until just be-
fore the wet season sets in and then
you II have chance of prospecting the
ranges properly. Hundreds will be
driven off the field before that time.
mark my words. >
yes l rejoined. five no doubt
that's sound advice. but what are we
to do in the meantime7 There are lots
of wild horses down near the salt pans
II dom t suppose the sea is more than
so miles off-but you know the class
Of fellows who are down there. making
horse hunting an excuse for keeping out
of the way Of the police. and neither
Jack nor want to get mixed up with
them.
well. III tell you what, said the
sQuatter. 'though, Of course, we needn I
come to any definite understanding jus,
ut present. the land I've taken up il
some 60 miles south Of the track on the
Robinson river. sent 1000 head OF
cattle on ahead some five months ago,
but am rather anxious about them. The
blacks in that particular locality are
undoubtedly bad. aud l fear that since
this rush to Western Australia has sci
in some OF the men that Gibson, thu
drover. had looking after them may
have gone off to it. never saw it 9th
srwise yet. The native born Australian
will maintain that two birds in the
bush are worth one in the hand any
day, especially where q golafield is con
cerned. If you care to follow my advice
III give you both work at Is. 1Od. 1
week when you get to the station ant
until you think it time to start fo
Kimberley; 80 IT, rs you may find ou
before then, the rush has proved |
.dufTer' you'll be money in pocket ant
won't have wasted time. Then if yol
want to remain and help to form tn
station-1'll only stop for month or .
You can do so.
I.thanked him, promising to arrang
the matter with Jack. l knew he he'll
cut tais offer TO us with the best q
motives and not because he may hav
wished to scclre labor. He informed Il
that in,half an hours time they woul
strike camp and push on. Anyhow W
would see him on Skeleton creek tina
plight. Travellers generally camped i
close proximity to each other on tina
lonely track for fear Of being attacke
by the blacks.
Look here. Dick. said Jack g
,, think il time to tell You something. an
may as we'll tell you it now as later OF
.. Dick. before met you got into cor
,, eiderable bit Of trouble-that's to say
!. was seen il precious bad company an
under circumstances which would na'
, orally make the police lurp at strans
conclusions need hardly ask you
/, believe ne"-
|. Jack. Il protested. "I'llpunch you
head fx you in another minute9
: .Au right old chap son can-afte'
ward The ghos! Of -mile bit mp h
: face E1 the moment. and he went @
acain IA II there had been no irterrur
{ lion. i've a very strong suspicion tia
= there's a warrant out for my arrest.
q fact, ii was ths knowledge CT this tia
b hastened mo to make no my mind whe
a von asked me to TO With you - W esi
M