The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-02-04

nm lAA NDAAlAFNAtNu WIFI a
small sensation at the suburban branch
which my namesake managed. An
armed robber had been rather plUek-
lily beaten OF. with a bullet in him.
by this Rafies. and the sort Of thing
was so common out there that this
was the first l heard Of it. A sub
urban branch My financier had
faded into some excellent fellow with
a billet TO lose If he called his soul
his own. Still, n manager was man
ager, and / said l would soon see
whether this was the relative l was
looking for if he would he good enough
10 give me the name Of that branch.
III do more says The doctor. III
get you the name OF the branch he's
been promoted TO, for think | heard
they'd moved him up one already
And the next day he brought me the
name Of the township Of Yea. some
nifty miles north Of Melbourne, but
with the vaguenesS which character
lied all his information he was unable
TO say whether / should find my rela-
tive there or not.
He's a single man, and his initials
are W. F. said the doctor. who was
certain enough Of the immaterial
points. He left his old post several
days ago, but il 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 i'm. You might
find him UP there and you might not.
If 1 were you / should write
'Thatll lose two days said /. and
more if he isn't there for I'd grown
quite keen on this up country manager.
and / felt that IL / could get at him
while the holidays were still on
little cOnviviality might help matters
considerably.
Then said the doctor, 1 should
get a quiet horse aud ride. You needn't
use that hand
Can't / go by train?
You can and you can't. You would
still have TO ride. I suppose you're a
hOrseman
Yes
Then l should certainly ride all the
way. It's a delightful road. through
Whittlesea and over the Plenty ranges.
Itll give you some idea Of the bush.
Mr. Rallies, and you'Il see the sources
Of the wafer supply of this city. sir.
You'll see where every drop of il comes
from, The pure Yam Ican. / wish had
time 10 ride with YOU
But where can get a horseT
The doctor thought for 4 moment.
d" I've a mare Of my own that's as
fat as butter for want of work said
he. 1t would bo a charity 70 me "a sit
on her hack for a hundred miles or so.
and then / should know you'd have no
temptation 10 use that hand
You're far too good l protested.
You're \. J. Raf7es.' he said.
And If ever thare was a prettier
compliment or finer instance OF even
colonial hospitality can only say.
Bunny, that l never heard Of either"
He slipped his whisky. threw away
the stump 81 his cigarette and lit an
other before continuing.
q well. ! managed 10 write n line to
W. F. with my own hand, which. rs
.Nl N III Es'HHtt-IH " 81 ll'fl very hiflA
wounded-it was simply this third
finger that was split and in splints-
and next morning the doctor packed
me or on 4 bovine beast that would
have done for an ambulance. Half
the team came M 10 sec me start: the
rest were rather sick with mo for not
stopping 10 soc tho match out. as IL
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 10 play.
1T was m interesting ride enough,
especially SITTER passing the place
called Whittlesea q real wild town
shin on the lower slope Of the ranges, .
whore I recollect having a deadly meal
Of hot mutton and ter. with the Their
mometer nj three figures in the shade
The first thirty miles or so was a good
metal road, too good 10 so half round
the world to ride on but after Whttlc-
sea it was mere track over the
ranges. q track ] ottcn couldn't see
and left entirely 10 tho mare Now it
dfpned into gully and ran through a
creek. and all the time the local color
was inches thicl-gu trees galore
and parrots all colOrs OF the rainbow.
In one place n whole forest Of gums
had been ring harked and were just
as though they had been painted white, .
without a leaf or q living thing for
miles. And the first living thing ! did
meet was the sort 10 give you the
rreeps. II waS rideriess horse com
ing full tilt through the bush. with the
saddle twisted around and The Stirrup
irons ringing. Without thinking I had
! shot al heading him with thc doctors
mare and blocked him just enough To
allow Il man who came gallopng after
10 do the rest
Thank We. mister, grOwled the
man. huge chap IA a red checked +
shirt. with beard like ". q. Grace.
,ut the very devil Of an expression.