" And when he set out for the railway along the north track, to
face the "escorting trick," he repeated his assurances. "I'll block her,
chaps, never fear," he said; and glowering at a "quiet" horse that had
been sent by the lady at the Telegraph, added savagely, "and I'll begin
by losing that brute first turn out."
CHAPTER II
From sun-up to sun-down on Tuesday, the train glided quietly forward on
its way towards the Never-Never; and from sun-up to sun-down the Maluka
and I experienced the kindly consideration that it always shows to
travellers: it boiled a billy for us at its furnace; loitered through the
pleasantest valleys; smiled indulgently, and slackened speed whenever we
made merry with blacks, by pelting them with chunks of water-melon; and
generally waited on us hand and foot, the Man-in-Charge pointing out the
beauty spots and places of interest, and making tea for us at frequent
intervals.
It was a delightful train--just a simple-hearted, chivalrous,
weather-beaten old bush-whacker, at the service of the entire Territory.
"There's nothing the least bit officious or standoffish about it," I was
saying, when the Man-in-Charge came in with the first billy of tea.
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