enery was of an uncommon and
striking description, but as they neared the town the river dwindled to
a mere mud-hole, similar to that at Launceston. After some delay she was
made fast alongside the _Buninyong_, which had maintained, during its
voyage, the two hours' start it had had. Hilda had visited Brisbane
before, and knew her way about, so the girls had perfected all their
plans during the voyage, and on landing, immediately crossed over to the
Grand Hotel, and engaged a room.

"We cannot say how long we shall stay, but should we go, our luggage can
remain here until we call or send for it," said Hil to the maid who
showed them their room, which they entered and locked the door.

"Now then, May, we'll try on our new rig-out."

"Shall we dress now?"

"Rather--you try on that," answered Hil, as she drew from her
portmanteau a man's suit of tweed.

Amid a good deal of laughter, they dressed themselves in their new garb.
Hil had neglected nothing, and had even provided two pairs of
specially-made corsets which enabled the waist to appear even with the
hips, instead of tapering. Loose flannel shirts, with collars attached,
obviated all differences of appearance about the bust. Padded boots, two
sizes too large for them, met the difficulty of small feet.

"Now for the finishing touch," said Hil, as she fixed a small downy
moustache on May's upper lip and handed her a pair of eye-glasses. She
wore herself a similar appendage, somewhat heavier, and carefully
darkened her chin. The result was most satisfactory. Then producing two
long macintoshes, which completely enveloped their figures, and fixing
veils round the tweed caps they wore, they repacked their portmanteaus,
watched a favourable opportunity, and slipped out of the hotel and
proceeded to a quiet bye-street near the wharf. Here their macintoshes
and veils disappeared into the river, and two spick and span young
gentlemen emerged into the main thoroughfare again. The feeling was
peculiar at first, but as no one appeared to take particular notice of
them, they soon felt complete confidence in their disguise.

"Let's get a smoke, Hil," said May, stopping at a tobacconist's, "it
will heighten the illusion." And quite in the regulation manner they
strolled along, puffing cigarettes.

Their confidence became so great that they returned to the hotel and
enquired if two ladies had arrived. The porter answered in the
affirmative, but said they were out at that mom