good season or two should easily lift
the mortgage on Ocho Rios. All I am scared of now is a drought, but if
a drought does come, I can't stop it, and therefore, it is no use my
worrying about it." He hoisted his feet upon the table, and touched
the bell for the waitress. "Well, thank heavens, Lacey, I still have
a thirst, and an iced brandy and soda is very soothing to the nerves.
Milly, bring the ice again please, and if you see the boy tell him to
come here."

Jim soon appeared, still looking subdued and depressed.

"Sit down here, old son, and have a long drink of ginger ale with a lump
of ice in it," and he put his hand on the boy's arm, and made him sit
down between himself and Lacey. "Jim, my son, I've just had some beastly
bad news. I've lost a lot of money, and you and I will have to work like
niggers when we get to Ocho Rios. Savvy?"

"Yes, Uncle Tom. I will work very, very hard for you."

"For us both, Jim, and for Mary and Aunt Lizzie; for we are all in the
same boat I'll tell you the whole yarn by and by; but for the present
well talk about something else for a change."

Lacey looked at him in silent admiration and wonder. "Nothing can
disturb the equanimity of such a serene mind," he thought, "and I like
him for taking the youngster into his confidence like that."

"I wonder what made Aulain leave so suddenly," said Gerrard, as Milly
appeared with the ice, and the ginger ale for Jim. "It was strange of
him not to even leave a note for me."

"Oh! when a man has fever he does very queer things. All he told me was
that he was off to Brisbane to tender his resignation in person, and as
that is against the regulations he hoped to be dismissed. He has been
very strange lately. I think that matters have gone wrong in a certain
quarter."

Gerrard nodded. "I know. Well, I'm sorry if it is the case. She is a
bonny little lady."

Milly again appeared. "If you please, Mr Gerrard, Sergeant Macpherson
would like to see you for a few minutes on important business."

"All right, Milly! Ask him to come up. Jim, I hope you haven't been up
to any games while I was away."

The local Sergeant of Police was shown up.

"Good evening, sir," he said. "I have just had a wire from Cardwell from
Inspector Sheridan, saying that news had come through by the mail boat
from Somerset, that there has been a very bad bush fire up your way, and
Ocho Rios station is destroyed."

"Any lives lost?"

"No, sir, but the fire spre