t. Kilda, Dick'--'Any
more ten-pound jobs, Dick,' and he does get blooming wild." Here Terence
roared again, and this time the boys joined in.

"Have another drink, Terence. You told that well," said Reg.

"But it was your honours that did it, I know."

"Yes, we did it, Terence," answered Hal, "Dick had us and we returned
the compliment, and here's a tenner for your trouble. Now you had better
go back to Melbourne by to-day's express and keep your eye on Dick. Our
address will be Brisbane."

"Right, your honours. I'm off."

"I have been looking through the "Herald," said Reg, when they were
alone, "and I find there are two companies trading between here and
Brisbane, the Howard Smith line and the A.U.S.N. Company; one has a boat
leaving to-day at twelve, the other at two."

"That's good. We will have a look at the boats and see which we like
best, and as there is no time to be lost, let us start at once."

The _Buninyong_, of the Howard Smith line, and the _Maranoa_, of the
rival company, were both examined, and the preference given to the
former.

"Sydney seems a delightful place. I am almost loth to leave it so soon,"
said Reg.

"We'll have plenty of time when we have caught our man," said Hal. "I'll
now go to the Tasmanian Company's offices and hear all about the
rescue."

There he learnt the captain's report, that he picked up Wyckliffe and
four men off a raft, about six hours from Hobart. The rescued reported
they had been capsized while trying to fetch Maria Island.

At twelve o'clock the _Buninyong_, with a full passenger list including
the boys, sailed for Brisbane.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE GIRLS.

Had Reg and Hal not been in such a great hurry when they landed at
Sydney, they might have noticed a young lady not unlike May standing on
the wharf scanning the passengers very closely. When she caught sight of
the Goodchilds, she jumped on board and embraced both May and her
father.

"I have had your wires, May, and all arrangements are made," she said,
with an air of decision.

"Have you seen him, Hil?"

"Yes, he went to Brisbane two days ago. We will follow him, May," she
answered, quietly; then, turning to Goody, said, "you will, of course,
stay at the 'Grosvenor', uncle."

"Well, I don't know, Hilda. What is May going to do?"

"I have my carriage here. You had better come with us and send your
luggage on to the hotel," said she, in her decisive way, as if she were
accustomed to hel