In the midst of this state of matters a stranger appeared one day, whose knocked-up horses showed plainly in their very visible anatomy the effects of a long journey and indifferent keep. Mr. Neuchamp hasted to welcome the ‘guest sent by Allah’ with true Arab hospitality. Considerably to his surprise he recognised the sun-burned, grave visage of his quondam travelling companion, Mr. Abstinens Levison. That gentleman’s reflective countenance relaxed somewhat as he shook hands with his host, and relinquished his way worn steeds to Mr. Windsor’s good offices. ‘So you’re the man that bought Rainbar,’ said he with mild acquiescence. ‘I heard that a young Englishman had cleared out Parklands. Smart fellow he is―gone in for a whole country-side on the Darr. Sure to do well when we get rain again. He and I have had many a deal together. Got the best of me once in a big lot of store cattle, and it ain’t many men that have got that to say of Ab. Levison.’ ‘Very glad to see you, Mr. Levison,’ said Ernest heartily. ‘Come in and make yourself at home. Which way are you travelling in this terrible season? No wonder your horses have had enough of it.’ ‘Just about done, and that’s the truth,’ made answer Mr. Levison slowly, and with consideration. ‘I’m on my way to Mingadee, a place of mine down the river, about a hundred miles from here. I shall have to walk and carry my swag, for the horses, poor things, are as weak as cats. If I hadn’t come through the back country, where I knew a few spots where there’s feed in all seasons, such as it is, they’d have knocked up before now.’ ‘Walking is becoming quite fashionable,’ said Ernest; ‘people are coming round fast to my way of thinking, that we were intended to use our legs in some other way than lolling upon a horse all day. I saw a police trooper trudging past to the Quarter Sessions at Warren last week, with a good part of a hide (evidence in a cattle-stealing case) on his back. The mail had stopped running. He told Jack one of his horses was dead, and he was as able to carry the other as the poor brute was to carry him. But you won’t have to walk this time, if you’ll stay with me to-night. We have a horse or two left, and I can give you one that steps as fast nearly as the roan you were good enough to lend me near Nubba.’ ‘All right,’ said Mr. Levison. ‘I’d not be particular about it; only I’m a little pushed for time. I have to meet a man about a largish lot of stores that we’re dealing over.’ ‘Buying store cattle in the teeth of a season like this!’ exclaimed Ernest in astonishment. ‘Why, it’s a hard matter to keep alive one’s own, I should think.’