Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-07-21
THE AUSTRALIAN NEVERNEV
@HN MACKE
AvTHoR Of 1E DEVILS PLAYGROUND AND 5NNER, T,uAyN

have been fancy that once during the
might led me to think some Of the horse
bells were ringing. Getting up ! cried
ito DAILY and went over in his direction.
1T was always wise to make your pres
|ence known if you stirred about after
|nightfall. for more than one man had
been shot in mistake for predatory
black fellow through neglecting this
|precaution. As Daily did not answer. l
concluded he must be asleep. The bells
stopped ringing. and turned in again.
In the morning we had the greatest
in awakening Daily. When he
did get up. he looked as il he had never
taken off his clothes and had tired ap-
Ipearance.
AS the ketch lay some miles farther
down the river. we decided to get to 1t
|at once. but remain on the same side
The eastern--as we were at present. be-
cause this would save the additional
|trouble of ''double banking at the
crossing We were soon travelling again.
knd passed on the opposite side Of the
river the little township Of the Macar
thur. y collection Of half dozen lit
Die galvanized iron huts. nesting amid q
wealth Of great. spreading shady trees
Ind cycas palms-a lovely little spot
truly to have such an unenviable repu-
Eation Then the river widened and
lowed still and deep in many places.
We saw alligators, like huge logs, lying
Motionless basking on the sloping
bank. but on our approach they would
Dlide off intothe water and swim away.
had heard their peculiar below the
blight before and wondered as to its
prigin We crashed through strip Of
bcrub and through meadow of cane
Irass that rose high above our heads as
Ve sat in the saddle Then we came to
lovely. high bank. on which grew
)ome giant gum trees, and underneath
n the stream lay the ketch.
q After few mutual congratulations
Exchanged with the crew the boat was
noored alongside the bank; then. plac-
ing substantial gangway to the shore.
Ne began to unload. Our intention was
10 stack goods on good high ground,
Bower them with few sheets of gal
tanized iron. leave some one in charge,
hen team the cargo up to the station
II our leisure. We started to work in
koOd earnest, every one assisting, 30 that
by midday we had landed several tons
y general stores. noticed that Daily
Deemed in remarkably good humor. He
porked hard and was positively defer
initial in his manner to Jack and me-
We had dinner at o'clock and aft
1t were enjoying a. smoke. when i
Rw SNOWFALL start up and listen. Sam
pn also sat. up, and pricking his ears
browled. This led Savile to remark:
THAT dog always puts me in mind
the British lion when some ones
Feading on. his tail There something
b noble and dignified about him."
At this, Jack, who seemed to have
egained some Of his old spirit during
he mornings work. rose to his feet.
laced one hand on his heart. took off
De hat. and bowed to Savile with the
Ourtesy Of an ambassador.
''Sir." he said. las one Of those who
ave the honor Of representing the Brit
bh lion allow me to-
Don't mention it. sir" interrupted
he giant graciously. "You re perfectly
eelcome-but pray, keep on your hat
1.-THE suns strong and brains are
|1carce"
81 Jack thanked him and resumed his
bat
'.Helloi" exclaimed Savile again.
Al Do You see that dogs He says there 8
pmething coming"
M As at that moment three mounted
Foopers and a couple of black police
4ode right up and into the camp. this
prophetic statement of Savile's would
)ave been difficult to refute.
! looked at DAILY. There was sickly,
gly. sneering grin upon his face. As
Or Jack. though outwardly cool could
re look Of apprehension in his eyes
he sergeant Of the police. q tall. black
earded man. jumped of his horse and
landed his reins over to one Of the
PACKERS; then another trooper dis
nounted.
Good day. mates. " said the police
ergeant cheerily. AYE. aye. thanks
mats what want p" He seized a pan
ikin which Savile had handed him and
ook drink Of tea. Then be sat down
his heels-as it is the fashion Of
lany bushmen to do-and pulling out
pipe began to smoke deliberately.
noticed however. that the other troop
would not sit down when asked. bu.
aised patiently around. and that their
Soiser pouches were unbuckled And
o tne sergeant Of police began 70
u about the discovery Of copper by
~ henry On the Concurry. They had
ost got word old Henry had struck it
en, and would probably sell his find
an English syndicate for a matter of
loe,ooo was chatting and curious
.nis seeming waste Of words. The
lures ;.. q uncertainty were bad enough
ioo' neang needlessly prolonged, for
'i'''etT knew there was trouble