Page:Australian Emigrant 1854.djvu/56

40 fortified castle borne on the back of a gigantic elephant. In short, Australia to him was to have been a sensual paradise. But he had, even already, seen and heard sufficient to excite in the little mind he possessed sensations of doubt, disappointment, and dismay. He was dressed in the most extravagant style, for he did not lack money; and like most men of small minds, was, even in the most inappropriate situations, parading the fact before the world.

The "Leviathan" had reached about half way to her destination, when the engine gave evident signs of being out of order. The captain, by uniting his strength with its failing powers, succeeded for a time in keeping the boat in motion. The inevitable climax came at last. Puff-puff—puff-puff—pu—ff—then a full stop; and the helpless "Leviathan" drifted to the bank of the river.

"Stir up the fire, Jim," cried the skipper.

"'Taint no good, commodore," said the boy, who acted as crew and stoker, and was on easy terms with his superior officer, "there's someat wrong with her biler."

"'Twont burst, will it?" exclaimed Mr. Weevel, retreating two steps—another, and he would have been overboard. "If it should burst—oh dear!—oh dear!—Mr. Slinger—Mr. Raymond—do you think we are in danger?"

"Raymond & Co., if you please, Mr. Weevel; that is the style of our firm. We do not think there is any present danger; indeed, we think if the boiler were to burst, we should be quite safe," said Slinger, grinning, and appealing to Hugh for confirmation of what he said, and laying particular stress upon the plural pronoun.

"Oh thank you I'm sure—thank you" said Weevel; "allow me to—" he was going to say "shake hands with you," but observing Slinger's hands were rather dirty (for he had