the bargain was soon completed. Long before Buffin's station was reached it was arranged that on his return Dodge should possess himself of the newly discovered station, whilst the partners should lose no time in procuring the necessary squatting license from the Commissioner of Crown lands.
"But perhaps," said Slinger, "you would like to come to town with us; you can stop at our store if you please, we will give you as warm a welcome there as you have us in the bush."
"Oh no, thank you," said Dodge, "too many duns and lawyers there for me. I wish they were as scarce in the woods as bushrangers are in the town, although I have heard of some instances where even they could not resist the temptation of leaving their solitary life though at great risk. A few years ago there was a fellow in Van Dieman's Land who kept the whole island in terror by his daring acts, and there was a heavy figure set upon him. There was a large ball given at Government House to which all the big-wigs, many officers, and the most respectable merchants were invited. By some means the fellow was introduced as a gentleman just arrived from England, and on the company assembling he became quite the lion of the room—a roarer, and no mistake. All the women were fascinated by his bearing and conversation, the men on the contrary voted him quite a bore. On breaking up, the Governor's Lady very graciously expressed a wish that he would visit Government House frequently during his stay in Hobarton, in which request her husband joined. He thanked them for the honor they had done him, but regretted that circumstances over which he had no control would oblige him to leave town immediately, and thus prevent his availing himself of the kind invitation. Her ladyship was rather curious to know what he was in such a hurry to leave for. 'Your ladyship' he said
