An Outback Marriage | Page 6

if there is such a Johnny,
and he dies without making a will, then the money would all come to
my people. But if there isn't, it all goes to another branch of the
family."
Gordon thought the matter over for a while. "What you want," he said,
"is to find this man, and to find him dead. If we come across him away
in the back country, we'll soon arrange his death for you, if you make it
worth while. Nasty gun accident, or something like that, you know."
"I wouldn't like anyone to shoot him," said the Englishman.
"Well, you come with me, and we'll find him," said Gordon.
By this time dinner was over. The waiters began to turn out the lights
on the vacant tables; and, as the party rose it was arranged nem. con.,
and with much enthusiasm, that Carew should accompany Gordon on
his trip to No Man's Land, and that Gordon should, by all means in his
power, aid and abet Carew in his search for Considine.
Then, all talking together, and somewhat loudly, they strutted into the
smoking-room.
CHAPTER III.
IN PUSH SOCIETY.

The passing of the evening afterwards is the only true test of a dinner's
success. Many a good dinner, enlivened with wine and made brilliant
with repartee, has died out in gloom. The guests have all said their best
things during the meal, and nothing is left but to smoke moodily and
look at the clock. Our heroes were not of that mettle. They meant to
have some sort of fun, and the various amusements of Sydney were
canvassed. It was unanimously voted too hot for the theatres, ditto for

billiards. There were no supporters for a proposal to stop in the
smoking-room and drink, and gambling in the card-rooms had no
attractions on such a night. At last Gordon hit off a scent. "What do you
say," he drawled, "if we go and have a look at a dancing saloon--one of
these larrikin dancing saloons?"
"I'd like it awfully," said one Englishman.
"Most interesting" said the other. "I've heard such a lot about the
Australian larrikin. What they call a basher in England, isn't it? eh,
what? Sort of rough that lays for you with a pal and robs you, eh?"
The Bo'sun rang for cigars and liqueurs, and then answered the
question. "Pretty much the same as a basher," he said, "but with a lot
more science and dog-cunning about him. They go in gangs, and if you
hit one of the gang, all the rest will 'deal with you,' as they call it. If
they have to wait a year to get you, they'll wait, and get you alone some
night or other and set on to you. They jump on a man if they get him
down, too. Oh, they're regular beauties."
"Rather roughish sort of Johnnies, eh?" said the Englishman. "But we
might go and see the dancing--no harm in that."
Pinnock said he had to go back to his office; the globe-trotter didn't
care about going out at night; and the Bo'sun tried to laugh the thing off.
"You don't catch me going," he said. "There's nothing to be seen--just a
lot of flash young rowdies dancing. You'll gape at them, and they'll
gape at you, and you'll feel rather a pair of fools, and you'll come away.
Better stop and have a rubber."
"If you dance with any of their women, you get her particular
fancy-man on to you, don't you?" asked Gordon. "It's years since I was
at that sort of place myself."
The Bo'sun, who knew nothing about it, assumed the Sir Oracle at
once.
"I don't suppose their women would dance with you if you paid 'em

five shillings a step," he said. "There'd certainly be a fight if they did.
Are you fond of fighting, Carew?"
"Not a bit," replied that worthy. "Never fight if you can help it. No
chap with any sense ever does."
"That's like me," said Gordon. "I'd sooner run a mile than fight, any
time. I'm like a rat if I'm cornered, but it takes a man with a stockwhip
to corner me. I never start fighting till I'm done running. But we needn't
get into a row. I vote we go. Will you come, Carew?"
"Oh, yes; I'd like to," said the Englishman. "I don't suppose we need get
into a fight."
So, after many jeers from the Bo'sun, and promises to come back and
tell him all about it, Carew and Gordon sallied forth, a pair of men as
capable of looking after themselves as one would meet in a day's march.
Stepping into the street they called a cab.
"Where to, sir?" asked the cabman.
"Nearest dancing saloon," said Gordon, briefly.