So Mat gave him an outline of the history that he had related to Carew.
CHAPTER X.
Burns’ station—The horse-breaker—Colonial “Blow”—Satan the First—Mat “collars” the buckjumper.
Burns listened in wonder to Mat’s narrative, and when it was concluded, said,—
“You are the first white man who have lived amongst the blacks of the northern coast, and come again into civilization. I remember my brother writing out by mail about you perfectly well; there were a lot of my stores on that ship, but she never turned up. Well, wonders will never cease; what are you thinking of doing? By-the-bye, Stephen said that you were the most undefeated rider, for your age, in Hampshire.”
“I could ride a bit then,” replied Mat, “but I don’t know what I could do now.”
“Oh, you’ll do all right, one does not forget riding any more than swimming, and if you like to spell here, why I shall be pleased to have you and your mates too, and you can look about you. I’ve had no end of new chums; but unless they can ride anything, and everything, they are of no use to me, and I believe those men you met went off in a huff, because I talked in the same way, and swore at them a bit for their laziness; but then, you see, one always has to swear at new chums.”
Burns’ remarks were not altogether free from strong language; many of his expressions were remarkable, and quite new to the brothers; moreover they were assisted “up” by sundry nips from a bottle of “Three Star” on the table, so that in a short time he grew maudlin and monotonous, finally settling down in his “squatter” chair for a sleep.
“Well, what do you think of him?” queried Mat, as soon as Burns had disappeared.
“Why he drinks like a fish, and is such a swearing chap, that I don’t wonder at those men clearing out.”