296 ON THE EEONTIEE. 



As then there were no public conveyances in those coun- 

 tries, and private " outfits " were very scarce and few, the 

 request was reasonable ; and, in reply, I told him he was- 

 heartily welcome to put his plunder and himself too in any 

 of the waggons ; but to give himself no concern about his 

 supplies en. route, for that I had a superabundance of such 

 and a good cook, and he would be very welcome to mess- 

 with me. 



The man was not a gentleman, as that term is con- 

 ventionally understood, but neither was I in a civilised 

 country, and so could indulge in a simple act of hospitality 

 which in a polished community " would not do, you know,'* 

 but which in savagedom was a mere matter of course. 

 This in apology for my conduct, as I do not wish the reader 

 to suppose it arose from forgetfulness of the limitations to- 

 kindness and goodfellowship which is imposed by the su- 

 perior (?) claims of conventionality. My offer was, however, 

 declined with thanks on account of the " slightually," &c.> 

 of my new acquaintance, and of course I did not press the 

 matter. 



The T. W. stranger started with us during the afternoon 

 of the following day, and at the first camp we had a taste 

 of his quality. On arriving, he established himself as far. 

 from the camp-fires of myself and men as he could safely do, 

 just at the edge of the light from them. After spreading 

 his blanket for the night, he collected materials for and. 

 lit his fire, put his little camp-pot on to boil, set out his- 

 frugal fare, and, sitting down on his small bundle of cloth es,. 

 cut a huge " chaw " off a plug of " navy ; " and placing his 

 elbows on his knees, and resting his chin upon his hands, 



