At this moment the debate was interrupted by the appearance of a man outside the veranda. "Well, Mr. Jerry, how goes it?" asked the stranger. "What, Bos, is that you? What brings you up to Boolabong? I thought you was ringing trees for that young scut at Gangoil? I'll be even with him some of these days! He had the impudence to send a man of his up here last week looking for sheep-skins."
"He wasn't that soft, Mr. Jerry, was he? Well, I've dropped working for him.--How are you, Mr. Brownbie? I hope I see you finely, Sir. It's stiffish sort of weather, Mr. Brownbie, ain't it, Sir?"
The old man grunted out some reply, and then asked Boscobel what he wanted.
"I'll just hang about for the day, Mr. Brownbie, and get a little grub. You never begrudged a working-man that yet."
Old Brownbie again grunted, but said no word of welcome. That, however, was to be taken for granted, without much expression of opinion.
"No, Mr. Jerry," continued Boscobel, "I've done with that fellow."
"Nokes is at work on Medlicot's Mill. That sugar business wouldn't suit me."
"An axe in your hand is what you're fit for, Bos."
"There's a many things I can turn my hand to, Mr. Jerry. You couldn't give a fellow such a thing as a nobbler, Mr. Jerry, could you? I'd offer money for it, only I know it would be taken amiss. It's that hot that a fellow's very in'ards get parched up."
Upon this Jerry slowly rose, and going to a cupboard, brought forth a modicum of spirits, which he called Battle-Axe, but which was supposed to be brandy. This Boscobel swallowed at a gulp, and then washed it down with a little water.
"Come, Jerry," said the old man, somewhat relenting in his wrath, "you might as well give us a drop, as it's going about." The two brothers, who had now been thoroughly aroused from their sleep, and who had heard the enticing sound of the spirit bottle, joined the party, and so they drank all round.
"Heathcote's in an awful state about them fires, ain't he?" asked Jerry.
Boscobel, who had squatted down on the veranda, and was now lighting his pipe, bobbed his head.
"I wish he was clean burned out--over head and ears," said Jerry.
Boscobel bobbed his head again, sucking with great energy at the closely staffed pipe.