Chapter XVI

Mataura Ensign, Volume VI, Issue 284, 24 August 1883, Page 6

Chapter XVI

'.. — Continued.

Even then, if Dr Hutton, with all his prac tised acumen, had mixed one grain of the knowledge of men, he might have done what he liked with Sir Cradock, and reestablished the dynasty; unless, indeed, young Cradock were bent upon going throu gh with everything. But the only mode Bufus Hutton Vnevr of meeting the world was antagonism. 'Yes, sir, you may think nothing of t. But I have hunted a thing for three hundred leagues, and got it through the biggest liars that ever stole a white man's breeches/

'Thank you, Dr Hutton/ said Cradock, diverting the contest. ' And I fear the word you mean applies to me also/

• Perhaps, young man/ cried Ruhis Hutton, ' you know more Hindustani tlun I do. ' Translate—' and he poured out a sentence which I dare not try to write down. ' But, my good fellow, you forget it is we who are stealing yours.' ' I think,' said Sir Cradock, slowly, and seriously displeased — Grood heavens ! to joke about the succession to the Nowelhurst title and lands! — 'I think, sir, this can hardly be looked upon as evidence. 1 always confine the issue, sir. As Chairman o£ tke Quartou Sessions, I alwaya ecnfino tone issue/

' And bo, Sir Cradook, do I, both as judge, and in other ways,' Rufus laughed at his own bad joke, and expected the others to laugh with him. It made things worse than ever. Sir Cradock was afraid to speak, lest he might say something unseemly to a visitor. The young man saw his opportunity, and took advantage of it. ' Father, I beg you to let me go. You would not wish me, I am sure, to be here $ only you think it my right to be. If you please, I willjwaive that right ; I can wholly trust your decision.'. He bowed to his father in cold respect, being hurt at his rapid conviction, to Eufus Hutton with some contempt and a smile at the situation. Then he marched down the long room placidly, and whistled when he was out of it. The next moment he bolted away to his bedroom, and wept there very heavily. ' Glorious fellow !' cried Dr Hutton. ' But we don't at all appreciate him. Requires a man of mind to do that. And now for Mrs O'G-aghan !' Leaving Sir Cradock this speech to digest, he arose and rang the bell sharply. He felt himself fully invested now with supreme judical authority, and he longed to be at the Irishwoman, who had called him a ' red gasson.'