by the authorities, as to
the accuracy of the sketches and estimations in the tenders, in the
absence of any others, they were necessarily accepted at the minimum
rate of ten guineas per annum each. Thus Mr. Robert Smithers became, for
a small annual rental, the lessee of a tract of country equal in extent
to an European principality. Although, without the present means of
stocking the land thus obtained, Bob Smithers knew perfectly well that
as the country became taken up and occupied, and as fresh settlers
poured in, he would find many who would purchase his right to the "runs"
at pretty round sums, in preference to pushing out still further;
besides, having no absolute necessity to sell them, he could continue to
hold out, until their value sufficiently advanced to induce him to
effect a sale. A prospect of a profitable realization having now
presented itself, he had been offering them; and it was for one of these
runs that the Fergusons were in treaty.

Their approach to the station had been noticed from the house; and upon
their arrival at the door, they were welcomed by Mr. Alfred Smithers,
who at once concluded who they were; so consigning their horses to the
care of a man in waiting and their own black boy Joey, they entered the
domicile, and were introduced to Mrs. Smithers and the family. In the
absence of his brother, who was shortly expected in, John fell into
conversation with Mr. Smithers, respecting the country they were about
to visit, and their proposed operations, should they decide upon
purchasing; while William, with his usual frankness, subsided into a
friendly conversation with the lady, while he playfully noticed the
children, with whom he instantly became a great favourite.

The internal arrangements of the house seemed in perfect keeping with
its external appearance of comfort: order, decorum, and cleanliness,
seemed its characteristics; and happiness and contentment that of the
inmates' existence. Mr. Smithers was evidently a man of domestic
attachments; one whose greatest pleasure was in his family; while his
wife was blessed with an equally happy temperament, devoted to her
husband, with whom and her children she divided her entire affection.
Their family consisted of three, two boys and a girl; who,
notwithstanding the disadvantages under which they laboured, were
exeeedingly obedient and well mannered, without any of the wayward
forwardness, and rude precosity, so generally to be met with