"It'll be a nice day, I think?"

"Yes, I think so. I suppose you are going on?"

"Yes, we'll have to make a move to-day."

Then I hooked carelessly on to the counter with one elbow, and looked
dreamy-like out across the clearing, and presently I gave a sort of
sigh and said: "Ah, well! I think I'll have a beer."

"Right you are! Where's your mate?"

"Oh, he's round at the back. He'll be round directly; but he ain't
drinking this morning."

Stiffner laughed that nasty empty laugh of his. He thought Bill was
whipping the cat.

"What's yours, boss?" I said.

"Thankee!...Here's luck!"

"Here's luck!"

The country was pretty open round there--the nearest timber was better
than a mile away, and I wanted to give Bill a good start across the
flat before the go-as-you-can commenced; so I talked for a while, and
while we were talking I thought I might as well go the whole hog--I
might as well die for a pound as a penny, if I had to die; and if I
hadn't I'd have the pound to the good, anyway, so to speak. Anyhow,