"
"We're to take over the country Redman took up," said Charlie. "It
joins you doesn't it?"
"Yes. See those far blue ranges? Well, we run to them on this side,
and Redman's block runs to them on the other."
"Don't your cattle make out that way?" asked Charlie.
"No fear," replied he, laughing. "We've some good boundary riders
out there."
"What do you mean?"
"The wild blacks," answered the Englishman. "They're bad out on
those hills. You'll find yourselves in a nice shop when you take
that block over. There's a pretty fair humpy to live in, that's
one thing. What do you call the place?"
"No Man's Land."
"Good name, too," said the other. "It's not fit for any man. I
wish you'd stop with us a while, but I suppose we'll see you coming
back."
"I suppose so," said Charlie. "We won't be there longer than we can
help. Who's on the block now? Redman sold his rights in it after
he'd mortgaged it to my uncle."
"There's old Paddy Keogh there now--greatest old character
in the North. Lives there with his blacks and a Chinaman. Regular
oldest-inhabitant sort of chap. Would have gone with Noah in the
Ark, but he swore so badly they wouldn't have him on board. You'll
find him great fun."
"I suppose he'll give us possession all right. We don't want any
trouble.
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