CHAPTER XII.
Tim starts for the Darling Downs—French as spoken by Mrs. Bell—Parson Tabor—Leichardt’s grave—The French “professor”—Mat unmasks the “professor.”
Next morning the leading newspapers of the town were placed in Mat’s hands by Marvin, who triumphantly remarked,—
“See what an excellent ‘coach’ I proved.”
The entire lecture was given in extenso,—what Mat had said, and, as he remarked after a perusal, some things he had not said.
“The old folks must have these,” agreed the brothers, and the papers were accordingly sent home to the Forest.
“And now, brother,” said Tim, “there was a Darling Downs squatter got hold of me last night, and said I must come up to his station. I felt so well up there, the air is so grand, I think I’ll go. He’s promised me work, and pay, and grub.”
“True; we must get work,” rejoined Mat; “we have had enough ‘spreeing’ about; besides, I must see about getting Dromoora and Terebare to their home, only the squire has made me promise to go to his station first—a new place, called, I think, ‘Bulinda Creek.’ I can ‘spell’ there a few days, and then start overland with the chief, join you on the Downs, and send our friends on from there with a party perhaps.”
Thus it was settled, and after saying good-bye to their hospitable friends at Government House, Mat went to seek out the squire, whilst Tim found his way to the Keens, who were leaving by steamer for Brisbane.
Henry Keen was one of the early squatters of the Darling Downs, and was now returning to his station accompanied by his wife and daughter. The chief object of his visit to Sydney had been to fetch the latter from school.
Tim wondered, as he stepped on board the steamer, how he would be received by the ladies, as he had not yet made their acquaintance, but he was not long left in doubt, for Miss Charlotte Keen at once met him as he stepped on to the boat, and giving his hand a hearty shake, said,—