CHAPTER XLII.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1583, 26 August 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XLII.

Just when Obadiah stood in the darkness, watching the surging crowd pf maddened speculators, Jack lieaid a, voice issue from the Busy Bee hotel. He knew it at once. It Mas> that of hisifather. As Bunakum seiireely ever moved out now, going fiom one fit of intoxication to another, Jack seldom saw him.' Curiosity impelled him to have a look at the old man. Borne along with the crowd, he was able to obtain a vantage giound where lie was unobseivcd. ' ' Bunakum was mounted on a chair in the bar, by w Inch he hold on with one hand. What a feai till change had taken place in the man. His hair was white as the driven snow, his. eyes wild and bloodshot, his face haggard and pinched, his form shrunken, his dress wretched. A kind admirer, or lather a fellow who wanted a little fun to vary the monotony of signing cheques and sale notes, raised a glass ot liquoi to Bunakum'slips. A Grange tin ill i,m thiough Jack's* frame. The pa-t umic vividly into his mind. How often had he seen his feather mounted on a barrel in the open air, addressing the assembled miners, while one of them supported him, and another gave him drink. But where was the caravan that then filled (irit ? (-Jone ! The greater pai t had moved on into the silent halls of death and he and his father alone remained '! and would not this great crowd glide away also. "A moment seen, then gone for ever !" Bunakum tossed off the brandy, and then glared around. Clearing his tnroat, he began to speak. "Men of 'Grit," he cried in a shrill treblcof second childhood,, "Men of Grit," I must speak to you." "Go oil, old boy,"' cried several. "What will you take' Wr Brandy Extended, cum d. t ?" asked another ' mocki»glv -