"I sent for my sister to come, because I believed the journey would be
her salvation, as to her health, and because I wanted to end her sad
life of penury. Your best friend, Mr Gordon, has not behaved well to
her."
"Why they are as happy and affectionate as can be," I said. "You don't
know."
"I knew that for twenty years he has been a dreamer, growing poorer, and
wearing out her life with anxiety, my lad, and I wanted to get them
here, where I can start them in a new life. He is a good fellow in his
way, but weak and helpless as to getting on in the world. If I lead
him, I believe it will be different. But enough of that. Here is my
complaint. As soon as, after long and careful thought, I decided to
bring them here, and send them the funds for the purpose, my thoughtful
brother-in-law writes me word that they are coming, and that he has sent
me two lads, friends of his, to take under my charge, and do the best I
can for them. Why, sir, it came upon me like a thunderclap."
All the high spirits and hopefulness at our journey being successfully
ended, oozed away, and a despairing sensation came over me that was
horrible. Then my pride came to my help, and I spoke out.
"I am very sorry, sir," I cried, "and I will not impose on your
kindness. To-morrow morning Esau Dean and I will make a fresh start."
"What start?" he said, harshly.
"Perhaps go with Mr Gunson, prospecting."
"Out of the question, sir. More madness."
"Then we'll go to work."
"What at?"
"For some settler. We are both young, and willing."
"I should just think we are," cried Esau, sharply.
"Silence! Hold your tongue, please."
Esau subsided.
"Where are you going to find your settler? Those here have only enough
work for themselves."
"But other people have got on."
"Where you two could not, sir. You two boys think it all easy enough,
but you are not beasts of the field, to be able to pick up a living in
this wild solitary land. Do you think you can join some tribe, and
become young Indian chiefs? Rubbish. Find gold? What's the use of it
hundreds of miles away from places where it can be sold. Play Robinson
Crusoe in the woods? Bah! Where is your ship to go to for stores?
Why, you pair of silly ignorant young donkeys, do you know what your
projects would end in?"
"Success, sir; fighting our own way in life," I cried, proudly.
"For the carrion birds," he said, grimly; "good meals for them, and
later on some hunter finding a couple of whitened skeletons, lying
beneath a great sheltering pine."
"Oh, I say!" cried Esau; "don't, don't talk like that."
"I am compelled to, my lads, so as to get some common manly sense in
your heads."
"Here, I say, Mayne Gordon," cried Esau, rising; "let's go back at
once."
I rose too, slowly and thoughtfully, waiting to speak, but unable to
find suitable words. I was cruelly hurt and surprised at the rough
reception I had met with, for I had at least expected to be made welcome
for Mrs John's sake. At the same time though, much as it pained me to
hear Mr John spoken of so harshly, I began to see dimly that what Mr
Raydon said was right, and that it had been a wild idea for us two lads
to make such a journey in so speculative a manner. But before I had
made up my mind what to say, and while I was standing there hesitating,
Mr Raydon began again, in a sharp authoritative tone.
"What have you lads been?" he said.
"Writers--clerks in an office," said Esau, glumly.
"Hah! yes: about the most unsuitable avocation for any one coming out
here. You did not expect to find a post at a desk, I suppose?"
"No," said Esau, gloomily, "I meant to build myself a house, and start a
farm."
"How?" said Mr Raydon, with a contemptuous laugh.
"Dunno," said Esau.
"Do you understand farming?"
"No, sir, but I'm going to learn."
"Where? at what farm? What do you know about crops? Why, I don't
suppose you could grow a potato. Did you ever do any gardening?"
"Only grown mustard and cress, sir, in a box."
Mr Raydon laughed aloud.
"And you, Mayne Gordon," he said; "do you understand stock-raising and
sheep?"