Part 24 (1/2)
They found the road very hilly, and monotonous, lined on either side with thick scrub and dotted here and there with the solitary house of a selector Having coot their first view of Port Arthur, where it lay in a se masses of ruins lay in all directions, for it was on the shores of this loveliest of bays that the early convict settlement was made This fair spot, one of Nature's most exuberant freaks, was the scene, in that fearful past, of many a deed of atrocious barbarity Very few houses still relish trees surround the blackened ruins of the little church, which was destroyed by fire sos, hiding its ruins with a tender cloak of greenery as one who says, ”_Jeof the yacht,” said Reg, as he glanced anxiously round the bay
”No, none of the boats there could be called a yacht Say, where's the hotel?” asked he of an old fellow standing by
”That's it, straight ahead,” said theto what appeared to be a private residence In former days it had been the house of the Governor of that noble settle sir,” said Hal, to aup the door of the hotel with his shoulder
”Good-htened himself and stood on one side
”This is a pretty place”
”Yes it is, sir”
”We were expecting to find a friend of ours here with his yacht, but we can't see anything of him”
”What was his name?” asked the landlord, for it was he
”Wyckliffe,” answered Hal, carelessly, though the nerves of both he and Reg were strained to the utentle's lips
”How long was he here?” asked Hal, entering and sitting down
”Let's see, this is Thursday He ca, and sailed the yacht round froentlemen, do you happen to know anybody na s
”Well, he sent this wire to Wyckliffe,” and he took down a telegram from a shelf behind him, and handed it to Hal, who read:--
”Wyckliffe, Launceston, or Hobart TwoMorris one
Fancy they left for Taset hold of this?” asked Hal
”Well, that's a long story Do you want breakfast?”
”Yes, we do”
”Then I'll go and order it, and coain!” said Reg, looking at Hal, when the landlord, whose name was Camden, had disappeared in the direction of the kitchen
”Yes, there's no doubt of that, old chap”
”Now then, gentle, ”I suppose you are D's?”
”No, we are not, rest assured of that”