ng that he is much better off than I
am, and his cattle are the wildest lot in the New South Wales boundary,"
said the red-shirted person, with such an air of wriggling out of it
that the whole seven burst into a shout of laughter, and then promptly
apologized for their apparent rudeness.

But he waved his hand in an airy fashion, and begged them to have their
laugh out.

"And it does me good to see young things so lively," he exclaimed,
taking his hat right off and bowing to right and left, as if he had
received an ovation. "My name is Tim Callaghan, and I am Irish on my
father's side, though I never saw old Ireland, and am never likely to."

"We are very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Callaghan, and we
are quite sure that it must have been Mr. Jones's cattle that knocked
our wagon over, so we will give his address to Messrs. Peek & Wallis, if
there is any complaint of damage made to us about the wagon when it is
returned to the owners," said Nealie; and then she asked in an
interested tone; "But how did you hear anything about it? Were you
helping to drive the cattle?"

"No; if I had been I would have taken good care that there was a better
watch set," replied Tim Callaghan. "I couldn't leave because my wife was
ill, but I heard through the police, who sent me word that I should be
fined for letting my cattle stray to the danger of other people's
property, and that I should have doubtless lost the greater part of my
mob for good and all if it had not been for a Mr. Dalrymple Plumstead,
who rode after the thieves and gave warning to the police. There is one
comfort about it, and that is that Tom Jones will be fined too, and it
will do him a world of good to be taken down a peg or two. And now what
can I do for you, ladies and gentlemen?"

"You might tell us which is the best place in Pomeroy to buy food, for
our provision box is nearly empty, and things are so dear in these
country places," said Nealie rather wistfully, for her money was running
very low, and there was always present with her the dread that she would
not have enough to keep them going until they reached Hammerville.

"You had better come along with me to Gil Addington's; he is about as
reasonable as anyone in Pomeroy, and we are having a deal over some pigs
that may help me to pull his prices down a bit for you, and they will
stand a little paring off at most times," said Mr. Callaghan, who was
uncommonly glad to pay his debt of gratitude