CHAPTER I


To begin somewhere near the beginning, the Maluka--better known at that
time as the new Boss for the Elsey--and I, his "missus," were at Darwin,
in the Northern Territory, waiting for the train that was to take us just
as far as it could--one hundred and fifty miles--on our way to the
Never-Never. It was out of town just then, up-country somewhere,
billabonging in true bush-whacker style, but was expected to return in a
day or two, when it would be at our service.

Jack, the Quiet Stockman, was out at the homestead, "seeing to things"
there. The Sanguine Scot, the Head Stockman, and the Dandy, were in at
the Katherine, marking time, as it were, awaiting instructions by wire
from the Maluka, while some of the Company "put finishing touches" to
their New Year celebrations. And every one, with, of course, the
exception of those in Darwin, was blissfully unconscious of even the
existence of the Maluka's missus. Knowing the Maluka by repute, however,
every one was agreed that the "Elsey had struck it lucky," until the
telegraph wire, whispering the gossip of Darwin to the Katherine,
whispered that the "new Boss for the Elsey had been and gone and married
a missus just before leaving the South, and was bringing her along with
him." Then the Sanguine Scot was filled with wrath, the Company with
compassion, while the Dandy's consternation found relief in a dismayed
"Heavens above!" (The Dandy, by the way, was only a dandy in his love of
sweet, clean clothes and orderly surroundings. The heart of the man had
not a touch of dandyism in it.) The Head Stockman was absent in his
camp. Had he been present, much might have been said on the "advantages
of having a woman about the place." The Wag, however, retained his usual