of
any one besides themselves, until Mr. Rainsfield gave them notice of the
fact by remarking, "Mr. Ferguson has waived all ceremony, my dear, and
called upon us to make himself known, and commence a friendship, which I
trust will remain uninterrupted."

The ladies then rose, and were introduced to John, as "Mrs. Rainsfield,
my wife," and "Miss Rainsfield, my cousin;" and both expressed to our
hero their welcomes and delight, that they had been so fortunate as to
secure friendly and companionable neighbours. Mrs. Rainsfield at once
gave a _carte blanche_ to the young man and his brother; and stated
that she hoped she would see as much of them at Strawberry Hill as their
time would admit, and trusted that their society would be a mutual
enjoyment.

John expressed himself highly flattered with his kind reception and
invitations; and in the name of his brother and himself, promised to
avail himself frequently of their hospitality, from which he anticipated
much pleasure. But leaving them to continue their conversation without
interruption, we will, with the indulgence of the reader, describe the
several members of the Rainsfield family.

Mr. John Rainsfield, the proprietor of the station, was a gentleman of
about two-and-thirty years of age; his appearance was what might be
called gentlemanly; though, while being perhaps prepossesing, having
nothing about it to attract any particular attention. In his disposition
he was thought to be morose; though it was not indicative of a confirmed
ill-temper, but arose from a reserve occasioned by a distaste for the
popular practices of his neighbours. Those who knew him found him
anything but distant, and by his friends he was pronounced a
good-hearted fellow. It is true, on his station, he was a strict
disciplinarian, and had a mortal enmity to the blacks; notwithstanding
which he was usually liked by his men, and rarely had so much trouble
with the aborigines as his neighbours. His history was that of most of
his class; an emigration to the country to better his circumstances, and
a pastoral servitude in various grades, until he had accumulated
sufficient to either take up or purchase country, and procure a flock of
sheep; which could have been purchased at a few shillings a-head. Thus,
having once procured a start, his success was almost certain; and, in
fact, at the time of which we write, he had firmly established himself
in a position of comfort and respectability.

Mrs. Ra