newspaper containing the above reached Mr. Dodge in the course of a month or two from publication. Concluding that his father was the "near relative" therein alluded to, and that a remittance was the result of his death, he set off without delay for town, intending, as he said, "to square up his accounts and to turn over a new leaf." In due course Dodge found himself threading the intricacies of the "brick-fields"[1] which stretch along on the banks of the Yarra opposite Melbourne, and crossing the river in the punt, he rode boldly into the town. After refreshing his horse and himself—the horse was always the first thought of—Dodge went boldly in quest of the solicitor; but he went on horseback, for he knew that his steed "Charley," who had borne him some thousands of miles, would not fail him at a pinch. He found Mr. Nailem's office without much difficulty: it was a weather-boarded building of one story. Leaving his horse to graze near, he was shewn inside, and was presently waited on by the redoubtable Mr. Nailem. Dodge made known his name and business.
"And so you are Mr. Giles Dodge of Westernport, are you, Sir?" inquired the lawyer.
"I am," said Dodge. "You have unpleasant news to communicate."
"Very," said the other, with a grim smile; which did not escape Dodge's notice, for he could not comprehend how it could presage bad news; besides he detected a stifled laugh from the clerks' office. "I have something which will surprise you; and he turned over a pile of papers which lay on a desk, presently singling out one, he dallied with it for a short time, still conversing with Dodge, on whose mind flashed a suspicion that
- ↑ According to late accounts "the Brick-fields" are covered with the tents of newly arrived emigrants.
