After that the Maluka gravely proposed "Cheon,"
and Cheon instantly became statuesque and dignified, to the further
diversion of Brown of the Bulls--gravely accepting a thimbleful for
himself, and, as gravely, drinking his own health, the Maluka just as
gravely "clinking glasses" with him. And from that day to this when
Cheon wishes to place the Maluka on a fitting pedestal, he ends his long,
long tale with a triumphant: "Boss bin knock glass longa me one time."
Happy Dick and Peter filled in time for the Quarters until sundown, when
Cheon announced supper there with an inspired call of "Cognac!" And then,
as if to prove that we are not always on the drink, or "whipping the cat,
or committing suicide," that we can love and live for others besides
self, Neaves' mate came down from the little rise beyond the slip-rails,
where he had spent his day carving a headstone out of a rough slab of
wood that now stood at the head of our sick traveller's grave.
Not always on the drink, or whipping the cat, or committing suicide, but
too often at the Parting of the Ways, for within another twelve hours the
travellers, Happy Dick, the Line Party, Neaves' mate, Brown of the Bulls,
and Mac, had all gone or were going their ways, leaving us to go
ours--Brown back to hold his bulls at the Red Lilies until further
showers should open up all roads, and Mac to "pick up Tam.
Pages:
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372