Page:Australian Emigrant 1854.djvu/49

Rh it was of a reddish colour from long exposure to a burning sun. His upper dress was a blouse made of a light material, fastened round the middle by a broad leather belt, on which depended a kangaroo-skin pouch, serving as a pocket for his pipe, tobacco, and tinder-box. His nether-man was clothed with a loose pair of canvass trousers, and he had low boots on his feet, which were devoid of socks or stockings.

But there was one obstinate fellow who would make no engagement on any terms (and he had many offers,) "on account" as he told Hugh, "of a little matter he was afther settling."

"And what may that be?" asked Hugh.

"It's a grate saycret, Misther Raymond, but I'm ingaged already, bother! but I'm in love; and there you have the whole of it."

"It's come to that, Mick, is it?" said Hugh.

"Yes: and how could I in conscience ingage myself twice over? and jist going to be married too, if there's a praist in the settlement."

"Has the lady any money?" enquired Hugh.

"Divel a scriddick, Mr. Hugh. Is it the money, d'ye think, I'd be afther marrying Rose Blaney for?"

"Oh no:" said Hugh, smiling: "Rose is a fortune in herself: but you forget, Mick:—what will you do as a married man?— You can't leave your wife and go into the bush."

"Lave her! —is it? " said Mick: "niver!"

"Then you know," continued Hugh, "marrying is expensive. First, there are fees to be paid; then you must have a house to take your wife to; then there must be something to keep the pot boiling; then in a few years you must expect little additions."—

"Whist! whist!" broke in Mick, "that'll do: sure what