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44 As Weevel had partially recovered, Hugh could not resist the temptation of saying "Of course you will write from experience—make a work of three volumes—call it "A Peep into the Interior of Australia Felix; comprising a Voyage up the Yarra, and a Natural History of the Mosquitoes." You might make the world aware of your acute perception, by adding, that all your information was obtained during a five hours' excursion."

"Only be careful," interrupted Slinger, "that you don't spoil the chance of those who of necessity must remain here."

" Oh! I'm demd!" said Weevel, as he caught the reflection of his disfigured face in his looking-glass—"Dem the moschitoes—dem the colony—dem every thing."

"What a dreadful hand you'd be for swearing, Sir," said the captain, "if you could only speak plain."

Mr. Weevel expressed anger in his looks, as far as his countenance was capable of showing it, but the swollen face assumed a grotesque smile when Slinger, directly appealing to Weevel's weakness, observed, that "there would be one extraordinary fact connected with Mr. Weevel's book—the author would be a rich one."

"The next turn of the river, gentlemen," said the skipper, "and you'll see Melbourne."

Then it was that the passengers became acutely sensible of their sluggish progress. On reaching that part of the Yarra indicated, several low huts were seen, on either bank of the river, standing close to the water's edge. On a beautiful green hill (Bateman's Hill), which rose on their left they could distinguish a building of a better class; further up the stream, and on a parallel line with it, were several edifices built of brick; but the greater part of the best houses were of