"I told 'em to let me know when you'd come off the bridge," he said. "You'll be the death of me some day. It's hell down below, and every minute I'm afraid there'll be a burst up." "Not with you in charge, Mac. I have been telling Mr. Redland the ship understands me better than any man on board, and it's the same with you and the engines." "Yours is a cooler job than mine," growled Mac. "I know you are always nice and warm," replied Job, "but think what an advantage it is in cold weather." "We never run into cold weather," replied Mac with a grunt. "Why don't you take a trip to the Arctic regions to give us a chance of getting even with you?" "I'll think it over," replied Job. "Meanwhile try this, it will do you good," and he poured out a stiff nip of whisky. Mac drained it at a gulp, and his eyes glistened. "One more will just about recompense me for a beastly night in the black hole," he said. Job laughed and gave him another. "Is this some of Sharp's stuff?" he asked. "Yes, do you like it?" "It's all right. Sharp is a much better man than I took him for; there's a probability of a rise all round when we get back." During the remainder of the voyage the weather was glorious, and as they neared the coast of Australia, Jack and his friend were keeping a keen look-out for the promised land. The first sight of it was not prepossessing, it looked a barren uninviting coast line, but Job Seagrave told them, although it seemed inhospitable, there were plenty of grand places inland. The "Golden Land" entered the harbour at Fremantle, and Jack and Harry felt a keen regret that the voyage was at an end. Throughout the trip everyone on board had done their best to make things pleasant, and to part with Captain Seagrave, Sam Slack and Rufus Macdonald, was like taking leave of old friends. "You have no occasion to hurry," said Job. "Make the ship your home for a day or two longer if you like; you are quite welcome. But I expect it won't be long before we have Barry Tuxford on board. He's a quick man, is Barry, and when he hears we are in port he'll be down as soon as he can, no matter where he may be." This was true enough, for the morning after they arrived at Fremantle he came on board. He recognised Harry Marton at once, and cast a sharp glance at Jack when he was introduced. "They'll do, I fancy," he said to Job Seagrave, who stood by watching him with some amusement. He knew Barry's way of reckoning up people, and making up his mind on the spot. "Yes, they'll do; mind they are not too good for you. They are clever, very clever, and far better than most of the men you get out here." "I have had some good ones through my hands in my time," was the reply.