I don't think you need fear fire from the Boolabong side again this summer." After this the sergeant and his man discreetly allowed themselves to be put to bed in the back cottage; for in truth, when they arrived, things had come to such a pass at Gangoil that the two additional visitors were hardly welcome.

But hospitality in the bush can be stayed by no such considerations as that.

Let their employments or enjoyments on hand be what they may, every thing must yield to the entertainment of strangers.

The two constables were in want of their Christmas dinner, and it was given to them with no grudging hand.
As to Nokes, we may say that he has never since appeared in the neighborhood of Gangoil, and that none thereabouts ever knew what was his fate.

Men such as he wander away from one colony into the next, passing from one station to another, or sleeping on the ground, till they become as desolate and savage as solitary animals.