"No."
"We are about the same age, about the same build, and we are both gentlemen. Your horse is blown; you have ridden a long distance."
"From Bidaud's plantation."
"I have heard of it. And you come upon business? I may be able to assist you."
"I shall be glad of assistance," said Basil, recognising in his companion an obvious superiority to the men they had left. "When I passed through Gum Flat a few months ago I thought it a township likely to thrive, and now I find it pretty well deserted."
"It has gone to the dogs, as I told you. There's nothing but grass for your horse to nibble at. So you're from Devonshire. Do your people live there still?"
He mixed up the subjects of his remarks in the oddest manner, and cast furtive glances at Basil with a certain mental preoccupation which would have forced itself upon Basil's attention had he not been so occupied with his own special cares.
"There are none left," said Basil. "I am the only one remaining."
"The only one?"
"Well, I have an old uncle, but we are not exactly on amicable terms."