The Branch Bank at Mooroobin

Matters presently became more complicated. Mayhew, the manager of the New Guinea branch at Bundarubba, rode across one Saturday to condole with me on my ill fortune. At least that was his ostensible mission; but in reality he was only too pleased to get a chance of crowing over one of the opposition men, and one, too, who had diverted a lot of business from his bank to the Bank of New Carpentaria. However, I received him hospitably, and listened with the best patience I could whilst he laid down the law as to the safe conveyance of specie, and remarked that in the course of a similar New Guinea transaction such a loss would have been impossible, all its officers being allowed a free hand in taking any precaution they might think fit.

'Why,' said he, 'I've got three thousand pounds in gold now at home that I am going to send down next week. But, you bet! M'Grath and a loaded "colt" rides with it in the coach. Indeed, I don't know that, now, after your affair, Chesney, I won't apply for an escort.'