CHAPTER II.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1556, 24 June 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER 11.

At the time this scene was taking place on Gritty Flat, Janet's only son was taking his siesta, and enjoying the dolccfar niente on one of the amphitheatrical hills that looked down upon the valley of Grit, under the thin shade of an aged eucalypti which had escaped the ravages of the diggers because it grew on the summit, and was left as a landmark — hence the eminence was called One Tree Hill. He was a rather picturesque lad, just emerging from early boyhood, but yet some removes from a man. To dress he made no particular pretence, and had no right to. An old Californian hat, fully entitled to be called a ventilator, covered his head, or rather the back of it, for it was the fashion of these times to wear the hat on the back of the head. His clothes were of a most miscellaneous description. The coat was many sizes too small, the trousers large enough for a Dutchman, and the whole covered with yellow clay. His was rather a handsome face, as far as could be judged through the dust that adhered to it. The features were, perhaps, a trifle saucy and bold ; but the pleasant gpod humor pervading them, the roguish twinkle of the eyes, and the sweet smile upon his lips made him a loveable lad— one no person could dislike. Easy goodnature seemed his characteristic. There was an easy, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky look about him that told mightily in his favor. His form, 100, attraoted attention. What is pleasanter than to gaze on the human figure, when it has begun to develop and fill out into the rounded outlines of youth ? And Jack's limbs were beginning to fill out ; and well formed they were, though no ingenious tailor had helped to display them. On the whole, however, rough though his appearance, no girl budding into womanhood could have passed him without casting upon him an approving glance, were she possessed of any taste at all. There was also another fact apparent when one looked at Jack : he was very lazy. The ' very pose of his limbs demonstrated that. He 1 ought, by rights, to have been pegging away with a pick in one of the innumerable bur-, rows on the hideous flat beneath him. But what was the good of work on such a hot day as this ? Was it not bettor to sit here under under the' shade of a great tree', in a dry land, than ! to • perspire 1 away ! 'down there ? Jack didn't' care much about < gold. ' If he got his meals' and a shilling >6i? two to spend'on the trifles^6?dearto'boyhobd; t he Wa&liapy.-j {It ivftidd'beftjnie' fenough Hajytorkwheri ncgreV Ffi^r^iHißlh^'toj.grow^iie argued, and hard? jyork^^ltfigree 1 with growing-boye. j <*

Yet ho felt some little compunction for being so idle. He knew his mother, Janet — Mrs. Meldon, otherwise Mrs. Maeinnis, alas ! — was slaving away at the wash-tub to keep the pot boiling. The young fellow's heart was touched when he thought of that, and he almost raised himself from his comfortable pose. Wiser counsels prevailed, however, and arguing that when the cold weather came he would get a horse and make a pile, he fell comfortably to sleep. It was very pleasant. Even the mosquitos had gone to sleep. Why should he not rest while these tormentors were torpid ? So he slept the happy sleep of boyhood.