Colin McKeith solved the mystery of that explorer's fate and had his revenge on the Government which had impeached him by pocketing the reward which it had offered any adventurous pioneer following on the lost explorer's steps.
Later, McKeith was given a mission to explore and develop a certain tract of fertile country between the heads of the Leura and the Big Bight--the particular Premier instigating the mission being a far-sighted politician who realised that a Japanese invasion of the northern coast might eventually interfere very radically with the plan for a White Australia.
Colin McKeith threw into his own scheme of life a trip to Japan, by way of India and China.

He volunteered, too, for the Boer War, and did a short term of service with the Australian Contingent in South Africa.
He dreamed more and more of becoming an Empire-maker--a sort of Australian Cecil Rhodes.

But he was wise enough to realise that all Empire-making cannot be on the Rhodesian scale.
He realised that his personal fortune must first be secured.

Without money one can do nothing.

Cecil Rhodes had had the natural wealth of Rhodesia at his back.