The Ashburton,however,was heavily freshed,and the night was pitch dark.After crossing and re-crossing it four times I was afraid to go on,and camping down,waited for daylight.Resuming my journey with early dawn,I had not gone far when,happening to turn round,I saw a man on horseback about a quarter of a mile behind me.I knew at once that this was G-,and letting him come up with me,we rode for some miles together,each of us of course well aware of the other's intentions,but too politic to squabble about them when squabbling was no manner of use.It was then early on the Wednesday morning,and the Board sat on the following day.A book is kept at the Land-Office called the application-book,in which anyone who has business with the Board enters his name,and his case is attended to in the order in which his name stands.The race between G-and myself was as to who should first get his name down in this book,and secure the ownership of the hut by purchasing the freehold of twenty acres round it.We had nearly a hundred miles to ride;the office closed at four in the afternoon,and I knew that G-could not possibly be in time for that day;I had therefore till ten o'clock on the following morning;that is to say,about twenty-four hours from the time we parted company.Knowing that Icould be in town by that time,I took it easily,and halted for breakfast at the first station we came to.G-went on,and I saw him no more.
第34章 CHAPTER VIII(1)（3 / 3）