' all that, as the black fellows say,"
replied the other. "Truth is, people makes artificial wants, and then
they must have artificial stimulants. We're no great scholars in our
house, but we gets a good many books even out here in the bush, and
reads them at odd times; and we've read a great deal of nonsense about
young people wanting beer and wine, and such things. If people gets
themselves into an unnatural state, they wants unnatural food. But
where's the real need? I don't believe the world would suffer a pin if
all the intoxicating drinks were thrown into the sea to-morrow. Indeed,
I'm sure it would be a thousandfold better."

"I'm sure of the same," said Jacob. "But I suppose it isn't all of your
trade as thinks so."

"No, indeed; more's the pity. There's plenty about us that loves their
drink a vast deal too well. I can tell you strange tales about some of
them. I've known hardworking fellows, that have kept sober all the
year, go up at the year's end, with all they have saved, to Adelaide,
and put it into the publican's hand, telling him, `There, you keep that,
and give me drink, as I calls for it, till I've drunk it all out.'"

"And I'll warrant," said Jacob, "as publicans'll not be particular as to
a gallon or two about giving them the full worth of their brass."

"Not they, you may be very sure; and as soon as the publican has
squeezed them dry, out they go, neck and crop."

"And don't that larn 'em better?" asked Jacob.

"Not a bit of it," replied his companion; "for there's no fool like a
drunken fool. They'll do anything for a spree. They're like madmen
when they go off with their wages. You may find three or four shepherds
clubbing together. They'll call for champagne, and then for a pail.
Then they'll knock the necks off the bottles, pour the champagne into
the pail, and ladle it out with their pannikins as they sit round. And
if that don't satisfy them, they'll add a bottle of brandy, or rum, or
some other spirit. I think they're fairly crazy after the drink in this
colony."

"I shouldn't be surprised," said Jacob. "It's much the same in most
places in the old country."

"Here we are," said the young bushman, shortly after, as they made their
way through the tangled trees and shrubs, and came upon a large-sized
log-hut.

How strange it was, that solitary hut in that lone wilderness, and in
view of the shining river! All around was wild and primitive; and fair
in its neglige