"No; but Bob is."
"What Bob? Here, waiter, bring us drinks—the best and coolest you have in the house. Now, lad, you've got to begin at the beginning of your story, and run right through to the end. Spin it off like a man. I'll put my legs on a chair, smoke, and listen."
So Archie did as he was told, and very much interested was Captain Vesey.
"And now, captain, you must promise to run down, and see us all in the Bush. We're a jolly nice family party, I can assure you."
"I promise, my boy, right heartily. I hope to be back in Brisbane in six months. Expect to see me then."
They dined together, and spent the evening talking of old times, and planning all that they would do when they met.
Next day they parted.
* * * * * *
The end of this spring was remarkable for floods. Never before had our heroes seen such storms of ram, often accompanied with thunder and lightning. Archie happened to be out in the forest when it first came on.
It had been a hot, still, sulphurous morning, which caused even the pet kangaroo to lie panting on his side. Then a wind came puffing and roaring through the trees in uncertain gusts, shaking the hanging curtains of climbing plants, rustling and rasping among the side-long leaved giant gums, tearing down tree ferns and lovely orchids, and scattering the scented bloom of the wattle in every direction.