"Those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide,
He wales a portion with judicious care;
And 'let us worship God' he says with solemn air."
BURNS.
The party at the "Bullock's Head" retired early to rest in order to
proceed on their journey at a corresponding hour on the following
morning. They slept and rose, breakfasted and resumed their travel; and
the same afternoon arrived at Barra Warra, where they were welcomed by
their kind-hearted friends, the Dawsons. It is needless for us here to
detail the circumstances of the visit; suffice it to say, that the lady
of the house and Kate Ferguson at once established their friendship on
a firm basis; and the gentlemen passed their time pleasantly, and in a
manner congenial to their respective tastes. The only event during the
period of their sojourn, which we deem necessary to narrate, is that of
preaching in the bush.
A day or two after their arrival--on a Sunday morning--Mr. Dawson placed
his large wool-shed, which at the time was nearly empty, at the disposal
of Mr. Wigton, for the purpose of there holding Divine service; and he
gave intimation on the station that such would take place. Though Mr.
Dawson was a conscientious adherent of the Anglican church, he was not
one of those who, in the absence of a place of worship where the
adoration is conducted not strictly in accordance with the prescribed
formulae of his church, would abstain from attendance on any other
denominational service. He was devoid of such bigotry; and considered it
a duty, when an opportunity of public worship presented itself (even
though the minister officiating was not deemed perfectly orthodox by
the tenets of the Episcopalian creed), to avail himself of it. Where
means of ministration were rare, he considered sectarian distinctions
prejudicial to the cause of the gospel, and deemed the only essential to
be an earnest truthfulness and piety on the part of the clergyman. He
always encouraged the ordinances of religion on his station, and the
inculcation of moral principles among his men.
The Sabbath was one of those lovely days so peculiar to the sunny
regions of favoured Australia. The sky was without a cloud to vary its
unbroken and immaculate azure, and the sun shone with a voluptuous
lustre, which rendered the atmosphere warm, though not oppressive, and
the face of the country smiling and cheerful. The people around the
place--men, women, and children, clean and neatly clad--assembled in an
orderly manner; while the sombre stillness of the bush tended to impress
the beholders with an earnestness, a feeling of devotion, and a
confirmed belief, that, verily, "the Spirit of the Lord moved upon the
face of the earth." There are, we venture to say, few more inspiring
scenes than the performance of Divine service, or "a preaching," in the
wilds of the woods; and we believe the spiritual influence was felt that
day by not a few of the number who listened to the exposition of the
Word, which was delivered from the lips of the preacher with a truth and
pathos characteristic of a sincere and devout mind. The same orderly and
sober manner marked the dispersion of the people, as did their
gathering; and if no spiritual good arose from it (though we sincerely
trust and believe there did), in a moral point of view the people reaped
a reward; and by the same means, indirectly, the squatter was benefited.
These preachings contrast pleasingly with the general thoughtless and
frivolous manner of some of the congregations in our large towns, and it
is only to be regretted that they are not of more frequent occurrence.
Nothing would more greatly tend to advance the morals of those people of
Australia who too frequently live in a state of vitiated depravity and
mental degradation, and who are perfectly destitute of religion, and
ignorant and neglectful of its observances.
When William and his party had remained at Barra Warra for about a week
he thought it time to push forward to his home; and, after some little
persuasion with Mrs. Dawson, induced her to part with his sister, and
the young lady to consent to go. They took their leave amidst a general
expression of cordiality, and an entreaty from their kind friends to
find their way back again as soon as possible. They then proceeded on
their way, Kate more than ever delighted with her prospect. In the
spontaneous ebullition of her youthful and innocent feelings, and
charmed beyond measure at the kind reception she had met with from the
amiable people she had just left, she was in the highest spirits, and
gave frequent vent to her joy. Her merry peals of laughter rang through
the woods with an echo that sounded as if all the trees had taken up the
chorus, and supported her in bursts of silvery-toned cachinnations. She
talked and chatted away the time, asking questions of her brother
respecting the Smitherses and the Rainsfields, and requesting him to
draw comparisons between the two families and that which they had lately
left. This task William professed himself unable to accomplish, and
unwilling to attempt; remarking that "comparisons were odious," and that
his sister would be able to judge for herself if she would exercise a
little patience.
The road was quickly travelled over; and our friends comfortably
completed that day's stage, and found themselves at Brompton before
dark. They were welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Smithers in as friendly a
manner as William had anticipated; but upon Kate and Mr. Wigton being
introduced as strangers to Bob, he muttered some unintelligible
sentence, turned on his heel, and left the room. Such extraordinary
conduct rather surprised the Fergusons, especially William; who, when
last he had seen him, parted from him in perfect good feeling. The
proprietor of the station and his wife were not only astonished, but
exceedingly chagrined to think that their visitors should have received
so gross an insult from a member of their family. Without entering into
any vituperations on Bob's conduct, they apologised to their friends for
his inexplicable behaviour, stating their inability to assign any reason
for it beyond his extraordinary temper, and expressing many regrets for
its occurrence.
The Fergusons professed to think nothing of it, and begged their friends
to take no heed of the circumstance, as it gave them, personally, no
concern; being convinced that it could not have been the intention of
Mr. Smithers' brother to have meditated any insult. Notwithstanding all
their assurances that they in no way felt annoyed, they could not
remove from the minds of their hosts the impression that they had
received an unwarrantable insult; and the culprit not "entering an
appearance" again, and no explanation being forthcoming, the evening
passed very heavily, and a general relief was experienced by the party
when they separated for the night.
On the following morning the Fergusons and Mr. Wigton resumed their
journey, and the spirit of their travelling contrasted greatly with that
of the previous day. They had parted from the Smitherses on very good
terms; but Bob had continued to absent himself, and there was a gloom
thrown over the parting in consequence.
"What a horrid bear that man is," exclaimed Kate, as she rode between
the other two equestrians. "What could have induced him to be so rude?
Have you any idea, Will?"
William certainly had an idea, and it grieved him much to contemplate
it, for he thought he read in the occurrence a rupture between his
brother and Bob Smithers. But he was deep in thought when his sister
addressed him, and not until she had repeated her question did he make
any reply; and that reply, if not strictly the truth, was, he thought,
the best he could make, rather than by uttering his convictions, to
excite the fears of his sister for her brother John.
"No, my Kate, I do not," replied William, "but what does it signify? We
have no occasion to trouble ourselves about the circumstance. Bob
Smithers was exceedingly ungentlemanly in his behaviour; but I believe
he is proverbial for that sort of conduct, so I think we need not give
the matter any further thought. Do you, Mr. Wigton?"
"You are quite right, William," replied the minister, "the folly or
frivolity of the man, for at most it is only such, should not be allowed
to give us any uneasiness. If it was intended to convey any insult, we
can best show our appreciation of it by allowing it at once to sink into
oblivion; but I have no doubt it may be attributable to his
extraordinary manner, which, you say, is customary."
"Well," said Kate, "I'll tell Miss Rainsfield of the manner in which he
treated us; it is only right that she should know what a ruffian he is."
"Now, my thoughtless little sister, you must do no such thing," said her
brother; "rather studiously avoid mentioning anything at Strawberry Hill
disparaging of Bob Smithers. Miss Rainsfield must be better acquainted
with the gentleman's character and manner than either you or I; and the
relation of any such affront as we have received might cause her
considerable and unnecessary pain."
"Nonsense, William," cried the girl. "Miss Rainsfield ought to know how
he acts to strangers, because, I am sure, he'll always behave himself
before her; and I am convinced if she only knew what a bear he is, she
would not have anything to say to him."
"Kate," remarked Mr. Wigton, "William is quite right; it would be
better to say nothing about the affair, if, as I imagine from your
conversation, this young lady entertains any regard for Mr. Smithers.
She must be better acquainted with his feelings than we; consequently,
we should avoid the possibility of creating any contentions between the
families; while, after all, there might have been nothing in his manner
deserving animadversion."
"I think I can see the drift of my fair sister's plan," said William to
Mr. Wigton; "she has taken a fancy to Bob Smithers herself, and she
thinks by telling this dreadful tragedy to Miss Rainsfield, that young
lady will be induced to discard him, and leave the coast open to our
Kate."
"You are a most impertinent fellow," exclaimed Kate, as she attempted to
lay her whip across the shoulders of her brother. "I detest the man; and
if he were to make himself as pleasant and agreeable as it is possible
for any man to be, I could not endure him."
"Never mind, my pretty Flora," said her brother, "we will not submit you
to the infliction; but promise to say nothing to the Rainsfields of the
affair at Brompton."
"If you particularly wish it," replied Kate, "I will hold my tongue; but
I cannot imagine for why. But tell me," said she, as her usual smile
returned to its wonted place, "how long shall we be before we arrive at
Strawberry Hill?"
"Not until late," said William, "unless we mend our pace, so we had
better push on;" with which remark he put spurs to his horse, and rode
at a brisk rate followed hard by his companions.
Well on in the afternoon they arrived at Strawberry Hill; and the first
inmate of the house who presented himself was Tom Rainsfield, who
grasped the hand of William, and was introduced by him to Kate and Mr.
Wigton. The former he expressed much delight in seeing, and stated he
had been looking out anxiously for her arrival, and would at once
constitute himself her protector and most obedient servant. With such
little blandishments he led the arrivals into the house; and presented
with due solemnity the treasure, that he said had been consigned to his
keeping, to his sister-in-law and his cousin. The ladies at once
received Kate with that affectionate welcome inherent in women; and,
relieving Tom of his self-imposed responsibility, disappeared with her
to one of those secret conferences, the mysteries of which we masculine
mortals are destined always to remain in profound ignorance.
The gentlemen then issued through the French light, and passed from the
room to the verandah that encompassed the house. Tom brought out chairs,
and desired his visitors to be seated for a few minutes, until the
ladies returned, while he went in search of his brother to acquaint him
of their arrival.
In a short time Mrs. Rainsfield and her companions made their appearance
all radiant with smiles, and their faces beaming with expressions of
good feeling; shortly after which Tom joined them with Mr. Rainsfield,
who received the travellers with a politeness that struck William as
having some degree of formality in it. However, a repast was speedily
prepared and set upon the table, to which all sat down; when everything
was cordiality; and after spending a very pleasant and agreeable
evening, the party broke up at an hour rather late for weary wayfarers.
But the gentlemen expressed themselves free from fatigue; and Kate, who
was really a good equestrian, so enjoyed the society of Mrs. Rainsfield,
and had become so attached to Eleanor, that the moments seemed to fly by
with an almost incredible velocity. Not till Mr. Rainsfield had more
than once reminded his wife that it was approaching midnight, did the
ladies take the hint to separate. Then the matron followed by the two
girls, with their arms encircling each others waists, made their exit;
while Tom's eyes followed them with looks of admiration.
In the morning they all assembled at the table; and without tiring the
reader with the conversation that was carried on, or the entire detail
of their plans, which were discussed over the morning meal, we will give
a synopsis of the whole in a few words. It was arranged that William,
his sister, and Mr. Wigton, accompanied by Tom and Mrs. Rainsfield,
should ride over to Fern Vale. William and Mr. Wigton were to remain
there with John, while the rest of the party returned to Strawberry
Hill. Mr. Wigton had declined the invitation of the Rainsfields to
remain with them for a short time on the ground that he would not have
long to remain in their quarter, and he wished to devote as much as
possible of his time to his young friends. Kate was to fulfil her
promised visit until her brother's house was ready for her reception.
The arrangements for the passage over to Fern Vale pleased all parties
but Kate, who had been industriously persevering to induce Eleanor to
accompany them. But her friend had excused herself on the plea that she
very rarely rode, was not at all a good horsewoman, and almost
invariably felt ill after a ride. So Kate, finding entreaty useless, was
constrained to do without the companionship of her friend. The party
took their departure early in the forenoon, without seeing Mr.
Rainsfield; who, they understood, was engaged with some person, Mr.
Billing had sent word to say, had been waiting to see him.