ligible spot could not be found.

"I think not," replied Mr. Rainsfield. "At the place where you crossed
the river it is at its widest point; and at the time I selected it, it
was the shallowest part of the stream. Then there was a sand bank right
in the bed of the river, which made a crossing quite practicable; but,
since the last 'fresh' I find the sand bank is washed away, and nothing
is now left in its place but a deposit of mud; so I fear nothing will
improve it now. I have had an idea for some time of putting up a bridge,
if I could get any of the settlers to join me; but you see at present
there is no one besides you and I, who would be benefitted by it; and it
would be rather too expensive an undertaking for us to perform by
ourselves."

"As you say," replied Ferguson, "at present we are the only ones that
would be convenienced by its erection; but if we can't procure any
assistance from government, we might induce Mr. Robert Smithers to join
us: for if he has taken up all the country down the river bank for the
distance which I understand he has, it would be to his interest to
afford us assistance; for a bridge over the Wombi would materially
affect the sale of his runs."

"I am inclined to differ from you there," said Mr. Rainsfield. "I don't
think Smithers would see the advantage in the same light which you and I
do; he is perfectly aware that any one wanting the country, would be
very little influenced by the existence of a river in his way. People
are too well accustomed to such impediments, and, I doubt not, would
make a deviation of fifty miles from the direct course, by travelling up
the stream to find another crossing, rather than expend a small sum in
putting up a bridge, for, what they would consider, our exclusive
benefit. And as to government assistance, you might as soon expect the
aid of Jupiter. Never, until the country is settled some hundreds of
miles further out, and they have, after repeated importunities,
established a post-office somewhere beyond this, and had half the
postmen in the country drowned from swimming the river in times of
flood, would they think a bridge at all necessary. If you like to
accompany me to the river I will show you a spot I have often looked
upon as a likely one for a bridge; where the banks are steep and the
river narrow. I think a log bridge could be put over at a very moderate
cost, and if we can induce Bob Smithers to fall into our views (though I
doubt it),