The times., 1900-12-30
~ Mowbray-' m k c
" " Paxton, looking up at the

big clock for the twen-
tieth time. He sad he'd be here at six.
didn't he? And under the fishes? Is that
right?'
quite correct" l replied. We'll. it's
pniy FIVE past now. He'll be here present.
ly. l only hope he's got some show in
sight to raise the wind on when he does
come
Paxton was a mining engineer just re-
turned from Westralia whittier he had
iouTneyed in the sure and certain hope
of rapid and lucrative engagement on
some OF the mining centres. bur finding
on arrival that his professional brethren
were plentiful enough TO timber all the
shafts on Coogardie and Hannans. with,
he had returned in disgust, and nearly
etone-broke into the bargain. New
Zealand native of Scotch parentage, he
was pushing energetic, red-haired,
blaek-eyed little man; had travelled far
and wide, and been partner ere now with
Mowbray and myself in many speculaiions
profitable. and otherwise-generally the
latter. He and | had met, after a long
separation. the day before, in King Street,
Sidney, whittier / had returned after
vain trip to johannesburg to discover if
any architects were wanted there. But 1
was too late. The supply had arrived
from the other end; and all the benefit
I reaped from my venture was the salts
faction of working my way back TO the
colonies in a sailing vessel.
Not twenty minutes after foregathering
with Paxton, and mutually condoling. the
pair of us had met Mowbray, who not be-
ing professional man. but a mere adyen-
turer, had been of late years better off
than any of us. He had, it appeared, re-
Gently arrived with a mob of fat cattle
hp f,Rnrp1na Riypr-WaV IN
Northwestern Queensland. Also, he was
wearing one of Hollis ten guinea walking
suits, and smoking Henry Clay cigars
out of big ailigator-skin case. There
fore. We two liine-burners felt moderate
ly hopeful when he shouted right roy
ally. and asked us to meet him under the
great glass tank, surrounded by soft
seats and full Of gold and silver fishes,
in the vestibule of the Australia Hotel.
say moderately because it struck us
rs curious that our old mate when ap-
prised OF the state of our respective
purses. had not at once offered to re-
plenish them. You see, between US three
existed brutal but we'll understood out
spokenness in money matters, the re-
suit OF much toeth-and-nail scratching to-
gether through good many years. Some
times Paxton, when he had his Sidney Of
flee, used to drop in for paying contract
during the mining booms; similarly l did
the same in Melbourne when the land ones
were on. And until the '93 smashes play
ed Old Harry with the pair of US, we did
fairly we'll In these days Mowbray was
usually roaming about in his cutter the
Ruby, sometimes pearling; at others droy-
ing; at others away at some new rush.
But always. if one was out of funds and
the two others in, or vice versa, the luck
less pair or unit well knew where to ap-
ply for help. Very rarely were all three
(OTnprpd 2 W.
Dinner tickets muttered Paxton, ju-
dicinlly as. presently, Mowbray entered,
and, recognizing us with a nod and smile
walked to the office.
That looks we'll. All the same, he
ought to have anted up yesterday. and
won't forget to tell him of it, by-and-by,
either"
1t was pleasant to find ourselves once
more in the fine dining-room, and our
spirits rose as the Heidsieck lowered in
its second magnum. and the good dinner
progressed amidst talk that travelled be-
tween Coolgartiie, Kimberley, and North
Western ueensIand-
NOW l know you. chaps are wondering
what's the NATTER said Mowbray as.
downstairs. We settled ourselves to cigars
and coffee.
We others frankly admitted that such
was the case.
'of course replied Mowbray-a tall,
clean-sbayen, handsome man OF about for
ty.. But, you see, Just now we're all in
the same box. l don't think I've got ten
fhillings in the world. Still, l reckoned
we might as well have a decent feed SO l
left nay watch over the way, at uncle's
That cut out the dinner money. Yester-
day, however" he continued. Il had a ten
ner. Just before met you I invested it.
and hope the spec. will turn up trumps
j have bought a wreck"
hot
taneousiy. for the generous fare and wine
had taken due effect. and neither Paxton
nor myself felt inclined to show ,disap-
pointment- And, in any case, we were
better of by capital dinner
wreck" repeated Mowbray. calmly.
as he pushed the bell at the back of his
chair for more cigars. She's a German
brig. Went ashore few days ago close
TO Sugar Loaf Point. not more than about
100 miles or so up the coast. l happen
ed to drop into the rooms when she was
offered, and she was knocked down to me
for my last tenner"
"A pig in poke, II over there was one"
remarked Paxton. why. she might be
going to pieces at the present moment"
8 And she might not" replied Mowbray.
passing the cigars. Anyhow, If ou like,
we'll get aboard the Ruby straightnway
and see what sort of a prize packet the
Putzig III turn up.''
oh, you've got the cutter yet, them" /
asked
Sooner part wiih.a Leg" said Mowbray.
shes lying down at Watson Bay ready
at minutes notice. Sent some stores
aboard this morning. and only got back I
from her at six. That's what kent me- !
Better 90 to your diggings. pack bundle
and come along. Meet me at the Circular
Quay Ferry in an heuf That do?''
Yes. IL would do; that or anything else
promising money to empty pockets
Thus. in very short time, Paxton and
had returned to the third-rate hotel,
where We had, after our meeting, promptly
shared room; doffed each his one passa-
bic suit, put on others. and In a couple
of hours we're on board the Ruby and get
ting under way. As we were shorthand
ed for a craft of fifty tons, and heavily
rigged at that, Mowbray took with him
the fisherman who, during his absence
had given an eye to the cutter. 1t was
lovely night as we stood out through the |
Heads and up the coast under the light of |
q full moon. carrying just enough of fair |
wind 10 keep everything drawing. Now /
bray was at the tiiler, and the great
boom, eased of to twenty feet OF sheet, |
Eeemed almost to skim the little waves. |
as with a musical ripple at her bows the |
old Ruby lay comfortably over to iii
pleased. as II were, TO feel once more deep |
water LAYING her breasts after the long |
spell Of idleness-
In the galley the man had lit the fire to |
make some coffee, and the smoke from the !
funnel streamed cheerfully away to lee
ward; every half minute. behind US, the |
great South Head Light plunged a shaft of |
dazzling electricity athwart the night; !
abeam lowered the tall brown cliffs. scar |
red and honey-combed. at whose base,
even in the calpest weather old ocean |
N sfrfrlt tn .,-I