"What are you?"
"A shepherd--at present."
"You have not been always a shepherd."
"Oh, no;" with an assumption of having seen considerably better times and of moving in a much better position.
"What makes you a shepherd, then?"
"A man must live."
"I beg your pardon," said Arthur, with a sensitive flush. "Are you in Mr. Fitzherbert's employment?"
Mr. Fitzherbert was the name of the squatter for whose home station he was bound, with letters of introduction.
"Yes," replied Ned Chester.
"I have come on a visit to him. Can you direct me to his place?"