is, is coming right across from your place. If there were light
enough, I could show you three or four patches where there has been
fire within half a mile of this spot. There was a log burning there
for two or three days, not long ago, which was lighted by one of our
men."

"That was a fortnight since. There was no heat then, and the men were
boiling their kettle. I spoke about it."

"A log like that, Mr. Medlicot, will burn for weeks sometimes. I'll
tell you fairly what I'm afraid of. There's a man with you whom I
turned out of the shed last shearing, and I think he might put a
match down--not by accident."

"You mean Nokes. As far as I know, he's a decent man. You wouldn't
have me not employ a man just because you had dismissed him?"

"Certainly not; that is, I shouldn't think of dictating to you about
such a thing."

"Well, no, Mr. Heathcote, I suppose not. Nokes has got to earn his
bread, though you did dismiss him. I don't know that he's not as
honest a man as you or I."

"If so, there's three of us very bad; that's all, Mr. Medlicot. Good-
night; and if you'll trouble yourself to look after the ash of your
tobacco it might be the saving of me and all I have." So saying, he
turned round, and made his way back to the horses.

Medlicot had placed himself on the fence during the interview, and he