"Yes," I said, "I noticed her." "I knew her husband well," he said, "and an awful rascal he was: he was lagged for coining, though he might have been for half-a-dozen things besides." "Indeed!" said I; "and is he in the colony ?" "No; he's over the water, I expect." "In Van Diemen's Land, you mean ?" "Just so," he said; "he had better not show Bill Lee much of his face, or there'll be mischief." "Lee owes him a grudge, then ?" "Not exactly that," said my communicative friend, "but I don't think that Hawker will show much where Lee is." "I am very glad to hear it," I thought to myself.

"I hope Mary may not have some trouble with her husband still." "What is the name of the place Major Buckley comes from ?" I inquired.
"Drumston." "And you belong there too ?" I knew very well however, that he did not, or I must have known him.
"No," he answered; "Okehampton is my native place.

But you talk a little Devon yourself, sir." The conversation came to a close, for we heard the barking of dogs, and saw the station where we were to spend the night.

In the morning I went home, and my new acquaintance, who called himself Dick, along with me.
Finding that he was a first-rate rider, and gentle and handy among horses, I took him into my service permanently, and soon got to like him very well..