‘The chap as sells, out an’ out, an honest article like that un
needn’t be scared. It’s them coves as gets you to sign things, and
keeps sendin’ a lot o’ rotten trash, not a bit like what you seen
furst; an’ then comes, as flash as you please, summonsin’ of you an’
a-gettin’ of you bullyragged in Court—them’s the coves as we’ve got a
derry on. Let’s have another squint at that pitcher o’ Dick Turpin an’
Black Bess, mates.’
‘Give you five bob on your bargain!’ shouted a tall stockman,
presently, from the outer edge of the circle, where he had been
impatiently waiting for a look.
‘Couldn’t part with it,’ said the owner decidedly. ‘But I’ll tell you
what I will do. I’m going back to the township to-morrow. If the chap
ain’t gone, I’ll let him know he can sell a few here. He might venture
if you’ll all give your word not to go for him when he does come. He’s
got lots of others, too. There’s “The Bloody Robber of the Blue
Mountains,” and “The Pirate’s Bride,” and “The Boundin’ Outlaws of the
Backwoods,” and plenty more—all same price, and all pictures and
covers same as this one is.’
‘Right! Tell him to come! It was pay-day yesterday,’ yelled the crowd
unanimously.
‘Not a bad night’s work, I do believe,’ muttered the traveller to
himself, as he reluctantly stretched out on the hard bunk-boards. ‘I
hope, though, this confounded beard and moustache won’t come off while
I’m asleep, if I ever do get any on such a bed.’