Page:Australian Emigrant 1854.djvu/114

 "If any boat's crew puts in, it is particularly requested they will immediately search the bay to the northward for a boat, supposed to be capsized, and the person who sailed in her drowned." There was also a blanket hoisted on a pole as a signal of distress.

"Well, off I started immediately, but could get no news of the boat or her passenger. On returning again to the hut I found the remaining inhabitant, the last man, who informed me he had been three days in suspense, as he had seen the boat in which his late companion had sailed capsized about a mile from the island, and shortly afterwards fancied he saw her bottom up. We immediately sailed together for the station to which the supposed sufferer was bound, and had scarcely entered the creek, when we saw his boat all right, and soon afterwards the dead man himself with a pipe in his mouth. It appeared that not being much of a boatman, he had allowed his only sail to be blown away in a squall, and after drifting about some hours, had fortunately made the creek. I've had a few adventures on that island myself," said Dodge,—"what with snakes, and rats, and fires, and last, not least, bailiffs—Oh they are rum cattle, they are!"

"Do spin another yarn," said Slinger, who was mightily delighted with Mr. Dodge and his narrations.

"Well, lads, I will; what shall it be about?"

"Oh, anything interesting."

"I've told you how I served a bum in the town; now you shall hear how I treat 'em when I catch 'em in the bush. About six months ago a fellow came down from town to serve me with a writ, but although I am pretty well known by name, there are few of the law gentry who have ever caught sight of me: and those who have, never express any great desire, that ever I heard of, to improve the acquaintance. Information once