shes, he entered the kitchen
hurriedly and dived for the flour-bag; and later, they found unwonted
additions to the corned beef and potatoes--the said additions being no
less than boiled onions and a jam tart.

The week that followed was a repetition of the first, save for a day of
such rain that even old Joe had to admit that work in the paddocks was
out of the question. He consoled himself by making them whitewash the
kitchen. Large masses of soot fell down into the fireplace throughout
the day, seriously interfering with cooking operations, which suggested
to Joe that "Captin" might acquire yet another art--that of bush chimney
sweeping--which he accomplished next day, under direction, by the simple
process of tugging a great bunch of tea-tree up and down the flue.
"Better'n all them brushes they 'ave in towns," said Joe, watching his
blackened assistant with satisfaction.

"Well, we're off to-morrow, Mr. Howard," said Jim on Saturday night.
They were seated round the fire, smoking.

"I s'pose so. Didn't think yous'd stick it out as long," the old man
said.

"We've had a very good time," said Bob; and was astonished to find
himself speaking truthfully. "Jolly good of you to have me; I know a
new-chum isn't much use."

"Well, I wouldn't say as how you weren't," said old Joe deliberately.
"I ain't strong on new-chums, meself--some of them immy-grants they send
out are a fair cow to handle; but I will say, Captin, you ain't got no
frills, nor you don't mind puttin' your back into a job. I worked you
pretty 'ard, too." He chuckled deeply.

"Did you?" asked Bob--and chuckled in his turn.

"Well, I didn't see no points in spoon-feedin' you. If a man's goin' on
the land he may as well know wot 'e's likely to strike. There's lots'll
tell you you won't strike anythink 'arder than ol' Joe--an' p'raps you
won't," he added. "Any'ow, yous asked fer work, an' it was up ter me ter
see that yous got it. But don't go imaginin' you've learned all there is
ter know about farmin' yet."

"If there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that," said Bob a trifle
grimly.

"That's right. I ain't got much of a farm, an' any'ow, it's winter. I
on'y showed yous a few of the odd jobs--an' wot it is to 'ave to batch
fer yerself, not comin' in like a lord to Billabong ter see wot Mrs.
Brown's been cookin' for yous. Nothin' like a bit o' batchin' ter teach
a cove. An' you mind, Captin--if you start anywhere on yer own, you
batch decent; keep