formidable by his lack of professional etiquette and his extreme thrift,
is neither admired nor caressed by the somewhat select practitioners
of Riverina.

Then the three horsemen overtook Cooper, pausing a little,
after the custom of the country, to gossip with him as they passed.
According to another custom of the country, Thompson, Willoughby and I
began to criticise them.

"I know the bloke with the linen coat," remarked Thompson.
"His name's M'Nab; he's a contractor. That half-caste has been with him
for years, tailing horses and so forth, for his tucker and rags.
Mac's no great chop."

"He lets his man Friday have the best horse, at all events," said I.
"Grand-looking beast, that black one the half-caste is riding."

"By Jove, yes," replied Willoughby. "Now, Thompson--referring to
the discussion we had this morning--that is the class of horse we mount
in our light cavalry."

"And that strapping red-headed galoot, riding the bag of bones beside him,
is what you would call excellent war-material?" I suggested.

"Precisely, Mr. Collins," replied the whaler. "Nature produces such men
expressly for rank and file; and I should imagine that their existence
furnishes sufficient rejoinder to the levelling theory."

"Quite possible the chap's as good as either of you," remarked Thompson,
seizing the opportunity for reproof. "Do you know anything against him?"