LOAFEES. 
speaking, you understand,” “Understand. ” says Mr. 
Skulk. “Perfectly, my dear fellow. Why did you not 
give me a hint sooner. Intended to have gone a 
fornight, ago but thought I was doing you a favour 
in remaining during your absence. Of course when 
two fellows live long together they are apt to get tired of 
each other’s company and with a change, but I assure you 
this feeling is all on your own part, none of it on mine. The 
separation, since you insist upon it, is all of your 
own seeking, and should you feel dull after I am gone 
just drop me a note addressed Pussellawa post office, 
and wherever I go I ’ll write there for my letters. 
Will be sure to come back, whenever you like. When- 
ever you like, mind, and be sure and have plenty 
of beer. Good bye. Don’t get dull. Back again, 
whenever you like, you know.” 
But the more numerous class of immigrant bolters 
were very low-class Europeans. It would be hard to tell 
where they came from, as of course you had only their 
word for it, which was utterly worthless. There would 
sometimes be seen wandering through the coffee dis- 
tricts, looking out for a situation as overseers or con- 
ductors. “ Pay was no object ; house accommodation 
and food, and anything else you chose to give.” They 
seemed of no education, could scarcely read or write, 
and most certainly could not do up a check-roll. 
But if you were talked over into giving a very fair- 
spoken man a trial, a m.an who directed your atten- 
tion to his feet — he had no stockings and the soles 
of his shoes just parting company with the upper 
leather, and, as a necessary preliminary before engaging 
at -work, required a x^air of your own cast-off shoes, 
no matter how bad they were, for the very worst 
you had were better than his — you might be prefectly 
sure, whatever his virtues or vices were, whatever 
his faults or misfortunes, that he w^as very likely 
the victim of, or at all events addicted to, drink, 
If you engaged him. watch him on this X)oint, for if 
would soon “ crop up.” After a few days go close 
U];) to him at morning muster, when he was calling 
the names, and you would likely smell arrack. By 
and bve, he would not ajppear at muster, and send 
word he was sick. He v/ould become very often 
sick. Sick, indeed ! Sickness was the rule, and, even 
wdien he did come out, he looked very seedy and 
shaky, and avoided looking you in the face. But 
where did he get the arrack ? how did he pay for 
it? Who can tell? Very probably some of the kan- 
ganies or coolies would give him a bottle at times ; 
they would soon find out that was the most accept- 
able present they could give, and, as much as lay 
in his power, easy work w^ould be his return thanks. 
