CHAPTER SEVEN.
PREPARING TO START.
In those days it did not take long to see the town.

There were some shabby-looking stores and shops, a few settlers' houses, the hotel, taverns, and plenty of tents.

The substantial parts were the buildings erected for the soldiery and convicts.

But these latter were busy enough, gangs of them being marched out every morning under a strong guard to work at road making, quarrying, and other tasks; and as Nic, boy like, went round everywhere during the few days of his stay at the governor's house, he ran up eagerly, as soon as a convict gang appeared, to see if he could encounter his old shipboard friend the head warder, and whether he could recognise any of the convicts who came out in the _Northumbrian_.
But they and the soldiers seemed to have been absorbed in the large body of men in the convict lines and barracks, and he looked in vain for the fierce, swarthy ruffian, his comic, grimace-making friend Twenty-five, and the pitiful, pleading countenance of Thirty-three.
Still, there was a great deal to see, and the time went rapidly as he watched the convicts at work with their armed guard always on the _qui vive_ to shoot down any man who attempted to resist their warders or make for the bush.
There were the blacks too, fairly plentiful in those days, hanging about the place ready to help drive sheep or cattle, or do any light work which did not entail much labour.
The hospitality at Government House was everything that could be desired, and here the lieutenant and ensign were welcomed again and again during their stay.
The last day came, when, after making all his preparations, the doctor announced that they would start at dawn the next morning.
"Why not stay another week ?" said Lady O'Hara.
"You know," said the doctor: "those at home are eager to see us back; and Nic here is longing to find out what home is like.

When shall we see the governor and you ?" "Before many months are over.