The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-02-08


tive there or not.
He's a single man, and his initials
arc w. F. said the doctor, who was
certain enough of the immaterial
points. He left his old post several
days ago, but 1t appears he's not due
at the new one till the new year. No
doubt he'll go before then to take
things over and settle in. You might
find him up there and you might not.
If were you should write
"'That'll lose two days. said 1. and
more if he isn't there for I'd grown
quite keen on this up country manager,
and felt that if l could get at him
while the holidays were still on
little conviviality might help matters
considerably.
"'Then,' said the doctor, 4 should
get quiet horse and ride. You needn't
use that hand
Cant l go by train"
"'You can and you can't. You would
still have to ride. suppose you're
horseman?'
YES
""Then should certainly ride all the
way. It's q delightful road, through
Whittlesea and over the Plenty ranges.
It'll give you some idea of the bush, |
Mr.. Raffies, and you'll see the sources 1
of the water supply of this city, sir.
You'll see where every drop of it comes,
from, the pure Yam Yean. wish had
time TO ride with YOU.
"'But where can get horse?'
"The doctor thought for moment
1--we u mare of my own that's as
fat as butter for want of work. said
he. 1T would be a charity to me to sit
on her back for hundred miles or so,
and then should know you'd have no,
temptation to use that hand
YOU'RE far too good protested.
"'You're A. j. Rafties,' he said. 20
And if ever there was prettier
compliment or a finer instance of even
colonial hospitality l can only say.
Bunny. that l never heard Of either"
He slipped his whisky. threw away
the stump of his cigarette and lit an
other before continuing.
well, managed TO write line to
W. Il. with my own hand, which, as
you will gather. was not very badly
wounded-it was simply this third
finger that was split and in splints-
and next morning the doctor packed
me off on bovine beast that would
have done for an ambulance. Half
the team came up to see me start; the
rest We're rather sick with me for not
stopping to see the match out. as il l
could help them to win by watching
them. They little knew the game I'd
got on myself. but still less did know
the game was going to play.
at was an interesting ride enough.
especially after passing the place
called Whittlesca, Il real wild town
ship on the lower slope of the ranges.
where l recollect having deadly meal
of hot mutton and tea. with the Their
mometer ut three figures i'll the shade.
The first thirty miles or so was good
metal road. too good to so half round
the world to ride on. but after Whittle-
sea it was a mere track over the
ranges. a track often couldn't see
and left entirely to the mare. Now 1t
dipped into gully and ran through ~
.reei. and all the time the local color
was inches thick-gum trees galore
and parrots all .colOrS of the rainbow.
| In one place q whole forest of gums
had been ring barked and We're just
as, though they had been painted white,
| without leaf or living thing for
miles. And the first living thing did
meet was the sort to give you the
creeps. 1t was n riderless horse com
ing full tilt through the bush, with the
saddle twisted around and the stirrup
irons ringing Without thinking had
q shot at heading him with the doctors
mare and blocked him just enough to
allow man who came galloping after
to do the rest.
Thank We, mister. growled the
man, q huge chap in a red checked
shirt, with beard like W. G. Grace.
but the very devil Of an expression.
been an accident?' said l, refining
up.
YES said he. scowiing as though
he detied me to ask any more.
well, Bunny, may be a black
guard myself, but don't think ever
looked at fellow as that chap looked
at me- But l stared him out and
forced him to admit that it was blood
on the twisted saddle, and after that
he became quito tame. He told me
exactly what had happened. A mate
Of his had been dragged under q
branch and had his nose smashed but
that was all; had sat tight after it til
he dropped from loss Of blood. An
other mate was with him back in the
bush.
''As I've said already. Bunny.
wasn't the old stager that am now
in any respect. and we parted goof
enough friends. He asked me which
way was going, and when l told hin
he said should save seven miles ant
get good hour earlier to Yea by strik
ing of the track and making for :
peak that we could see through thu
trees and following a creek that
should see from the peak. Don't smile
Bunny. began by saying was ;
child in those days. OF course. tn
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