Upon arrival at Christchurch we put up at a neat little inn on the outskirts of the town, called Rule’s accommodation house.  It was a picture of neatness, cleanliness, and comfort.  We found it occupied by several squatters of what might be called the better class, who, on their occasional business visits to Christchurch, preferred a quiet establishment to the larger and more noisy hotels, of which the town possessed two.

These gentlemen were clothed in cord breeches and high boots, with guernsey smock frocks, in which costume they appeared to live.  English coats and collars and light boots were luxuries unknown or contemned by these hardy sons of the bush, whom we found very pleasant company, but who, it was apparent to us before we were many minutes in their society, regarded us as very raw material indeed.  According to bush custom it was usual to dub all fresh arrivals “new chums” until they had satisfactorily passed certain ordeals in bush life.  They should be able to ride a buckjumper, or, at any rate, hold on till the saddle went, use a stockwhip, cut up and light a pipe of tobacco with a single wax vesta while riding full speed in the teeth of a sou’-wester, and be ready and competent to take a hand at any manual labour going.

After dinner some of our new acquaintances entertained us with some miraculous tales of bush life, while others looked carelessly on to see how far we could be gulled with impunity.  An amusing incident, however, occurred presently which rapidly increased their respect for the raw material.  C——­ was a young giant, six feet three in his stockings, and the last man to put up with an indignity.  One of the party—­a rough, vulgar sort of fellow, who had been romancing considerably, and who evidently was not on the most cordial terms with the rest of the company—­carried his rudeness so far as to drop into C——­’s seat when the latter had vacated it for a moment.  On his return C——­ asked him to leave it, which the fellow refused to do.  C——­ put his hand on his collar.  “Now,” said he, “get out!  Once, twice, three times”—­and at the last word he lifted the chap bodily and threw him over the table, whence he fell heavily on the floor.  He was thoroughly cowed, and with a few oaths left the room.  It needed only such an incident as this to put us on the friendliest terms with them all, and we enjoyed a pleasant afternoon and gathered much information.

[Illustration:  THE ARRIVAL OF LAPWORTH.]

The following morning, whilst waiting for breakfast, sitting out on the grass in front of the house, we heard a stampede coming along the road from the direction of the Fort, and presently there hove in sight Lapworth astride a hired nag, coming ahead at a gallop, one hand grasping the mane and the other the crupper, while stirrups and reins were flying in the wind.  In his rear were Bob Stavelly, third mate, and the boatswain, astride another animal, Bob steering, and the boatswain holding on, seemingly by the tail.