But after they got back to Wallacetown he made an offer to Buckskin Bill which struck him as being a very sporting proposition for a policeman.

He said, 'If you care to take on Barren Valley and make an honest concern of it, I'll get the grant and do the backing.

The labour is there,' he said, 'but it's got to be honest labour or I won't touch it.' It was a sporting offer, boys, and, of course, Bill jumped.

And so a contract was drawn up which had to be signed.

And 'What's your name ?' said Fletcher Hill." Warden suddenly began to laugh.
"On my oath, he didn't know what to say, so he just caught at the first honest-sounding name he could think of.