pleasantly, and the emigrants obtained a good deal of information about the colony. In reply to an enquiry from Mr. Binns what their intentions were, Mr. Weevel replied immediately, that he intended to get away from the colony as quickly as possible. As Hugh and Slinger had no definite idea in what branch of trade it was best to engage, they requested advice upon the subject. Mr. Binns recommended laying out a portion of their small capital in the purchase of land in the township, which was increasing in value daily. There would be a good opportunity shortly as a Government sale of allotments was advertised to take place; before leaving, Raymond and Slinger requested Mr. Binns to purchase for them to the extent of £200, provided he considered the price favorable.
As it was dark when the period arrived for them to leave their kind host accompanied them to the door of the most respectable Inn of which the settlement could boast. This was a weather-boarded house of one story, containing four rooms besides a bar. The place was crowded by rough-looking men drinking and smoking. On looking into three of the rooms they appeared quite full of people, and the smell of spirits and tobacco pervaded the whole place. "O how dreadful!" said Weevel:— "Oh dear!— Oh dear!"
Hugh shouted aloud for the waiter, who, in about ten minutes appeared smoking a short pipe, and announced his presence by exclaiming, "Now then what's the row?"
"Can we be accommodated with a private room?" Hugh asked.
"Private, ha! ha! ha!—No: I should rayther say not. We don't keep private rooms—this is a public house."
"I see it is," said Hugh.
"You can have three shake-downs," continued the waiter "if you want to stop here tonight, we shall clear the house
