they retired into the outer kitchen, prepared it for themselves, and
there ate their dinner, and each of the brothers did the same for
himself in the big room--Joe, the fighting brother, providing for his
father's wants as well as his own. One of them had half a leg of cold
mutton, so that he was saved the trouble of cooking, but he did not
offer to share this comfort with the others. An enormous kettle of
tea was made, and that was common among them. While this was being
consumed, Boscobel put his head into the room, and suggested that he
and his mate wanted a drink. Whereupon Jerry, without a word, pointed
to the kettle, and Boscobel was allowed to fill two pannikins. Such
was the welcome which was always accorded to strangers in Boolabong.

After their meal the men came back on to the veranda, and there were
more smoking and sleeping, more boasting and snarling. Different
allusions were made to the spirit jar, especially by the old man; but
they were made in vain. The "Battle-Axe" was Jerry's own property,
and he felt that he had already been almost foolishly liberal. But he
had an object in view. He was quite sure that Boscobel and Nokes had
not come to Boolabong on the same Sunday by any chance coincidence.
The men had something to propose, and in their own way they would
make the proposition before they left, and would make it probably to
him. Boscobel intended to sleep at Boolabong, but Nokes had explained
that it was his purpose to return that night to Medlicot's Mill. The
proposition no doubt would be made soon--a little after seven, when
the day was preparing to give way suddenly to night. Nokes first
walked off, sloping out from the veranda in a half-shy, half-cunning
manner, looking nowhither, and saying a word to no one. Quickly after
him Boscobel jumped up suddenly, hitched up his trowsers, and
followed the first man. At about a similar interval Jerry passed out
through the big room to the yard at the back, and from the yard to a