ACKS--BOLTER BROUGHT BACK--SANDY MACDOUGAL.

"I wonder what sort of fellows these English cousins of ours will turn
out?" exclaimed Harry Berrington, as he rode up alongside his elder
brother Paul. "Judging by their photographs, which Uncle Frank sent us
out last year, I have an idea that they are mighty fine young gentlemen,
who will be apt to turn up their noses at us colonial `corn-stalks.'"

"Hector and Reginald are good-looking fellows, I should think, and wear
fine clothes but beyond that--whether they are dark or fair, have blue
eyes and pink cheeks, or whether they can ride, and shoot, swim, and
play cricket, or can only dance and sing, or draw, or suchlike girlish
things--I have not the slightest notion," answered Paul. "We shall,
however, soon know; for, according to the letter father got yesterday
their ship ought to reach Moreton Bay in the course of three or four
weeks; and I hope that I may have the chance of going down to Ipswich to
meet them."

"I don't think you will be so lucky," observed Harry. "I heard father
say that he intended going himself, as he expected poor Aunt Augusta
would require a good deal of attention, as she has been accustomed to
live luxuriously, and has never done anything for herself. From a
remark he made, I suspect that both the boys and girls have been brought
up in the same fashion. Although they may get into our ways at last,
they won't like our style of life at all when they first arrive."

"They must learn to like it, somehow or other," observed Paul. "Poor
Uncle Frank! I really pity him; he has lost nearly all his fortune; and
to be obliged, at his time of life, to begin to work hard! And work
hard he must, like the rest of us."

"Yes, indeed; I have heard mother say that they lived in a large house
in London, with butlers, footmen, housekeeper, nurses, and all sorts of
servants; and had carriages and horses, and saw lots of company," said
Harry.

"They'll not have much of that out here; they will have to be their own
servants, or consider themselves fortunate if they can hire an Irish
girl, or get a black _gin_ to do the rough work. We must try and help
them, however, as much as we can, until they get accustomed to our
ways," observed Paul. "And Mary, and Janet, and Lizzie will, I am sure,
do their best to save them trouble."

"Of course, we all will, in reality; but I don't think I shall be able
to help laughing when I see the exquisite Mr Hector and his