e theory he had
formed about a possible lode which, if found, would make a millionaire
of each of them. The next day, at the latest, they were to start, and
Tony rode away by himself to the Flat to explain the situation to Taylor
and his wife.

With the characteristic freedom of bush-life, which gives to every unit
the right to come and go as he pleases, and the typical independence of
the Australian spirit, home-ties, as understood in more closely
populated or more conventional countries, are not conspicuous. As soon
as the fledgling finds his wings, the parent-nest ceases to be the
centre of his universe; the forbears are no longer the dictators of his
actions. He is an individual, free and self-reliant; a member of the
race which has subdued the vast territories of the island
continent--territories which in Europe would hold a dozen states and
kingdoms--and as he has the birthright of freedom to empower him, so has
he also the birthright of territory to enable him to live his own life,
expanding as his instincts dictate, broadening as experience teaches,
deepening as his sympathies are touched. He may lose somewhat of the
softer sensibilities which gather round the home memories of older
generations; the clinging affection which lingers through life for the
places where the earliest years of childhood and youth were passed, can
scarcely have existence amongst a people to whom the word "home" only
suggests the motherland, the parent country, or, as often as not, the
country of the parents. But instead he becomes the possessor of an open,
self-reliant independence; quick to see and understand; cringing to no
man; satisfied with the right and the chance to work for his wants; and
with the part of his nature which would otherwise be absorbed in the
gentle bonds of home-ties, free to act in accordance with the dictates
of humanity, with the world for his home and all mankind for his
relatives. Hence Tony, in returning for a visit to the Flat, was merely
paying a visit, and by no means yielding to the demands of home or
family affection.

His point of view in that respect was the point of view of the remainder
of the Taylor offspring, but it was the only trait which they had in
common with him. As had been said on Marmot's verandah, Tony was alone
among them; not one of them had the black hair and dark eyes nor the
quick, alert spirit which characterized Tony. They rather followed the
example of Taylor, and were stolid,