"
"Perhaps I could go out with the next lot of stuff," said Hugh.
"When will they want it, do you think?"
"Well, they mightn't want any more. They might go on now till the
wet season, and then they'll come in."
"When is the wet season, then?"
"Oh, a couple of months, likely. Perhaps three months. Perhaps
there won't be none at all to speak of. What'll you have?"
"Oh, I have just had a drink, thanks. Fact is, I'm a bit anxious
to get out to this camp. It's a bit important. You don't know where
they are for certain?"
"Lord knows! Anywhere! Might be on one river, might be on another.
They'll come in in the wet season. Better have a drink, anyhow.
You must have something. What'll it be--square? Beer? Can't stand
beer in this climate, myself."
"Oh, well," said Hugh desperately, "I'll have another square. Make
it a light one. Do you think I can get anyone who knows where they
are camped to go out with me?"
"Tommy Prince'd know, I expect. He was out in that country before.
But he's gone with a bullock-team, drawing quartz to the new
battery at the Oriental. At least I saw him start out three weeks
ago. Said he was in a hurry, too, as the battery couldn't start
until he got the quartz hauled."
"Perhaps he didn't start," said Hugh; "perhaps he put it off till
after the wet season?"
"Well," said the storekeeper, meditatively, "he might, but I don't
think he would.
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