hutkeeper

Here, again, he was disappointed, and on enquiry from the hutkeeper learned from him that his master had left for

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

Seeing Jones a second time, apparently in his usual health, had divested their minds of any suspicion that the hutkeeper had deceived them, or was in any way responsible, and the real facts as they subsequently turned out had not presented themselves to their minds.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

They then proceeded to the hut as if they had just arrived from Melbourne, and without mentioning that they had seen his master, got into general conversation with the hutkeeper, but failed to elicit anything beyond what he had previously stated, adding only that he did not expect his employer's return for five or six months.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

The friends occasionally visited each other, but in those days the settlers were few and months often passed without the cattle rancher seeing his friend or anybody to speak to beside the one man he retained on the station as hutkeeper, stockman, and general factotum.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

The hutkeeper was immediately arrested, but denied any knowledge of the matter.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

The station hands comprised a shepherd, bullock driver, hutkeeper, and two station hands employed in fencing in paddocks, which with Cook, the overseer, Butler, and myself made up the total.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

They took a circuitous route, arriving as before at the stockyard without giving information to the hutkeeper, but at the same time directing two men to approach the hut unseen and watch it till further directions.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

Smith and his companion feared to mention their suspicions to the hutkeeper, believing that he would not remain alone on the station if he thought that a maniac was about.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

The idea that occupied their minds at this point was that Jones was insane, probably led thereto by his lonely life; that he was wandering about in the bush in the neighbourhood of the hut, which he continued to visit, as they had seen, and that he had, with a madman's acuteness, purposely misled the hutkeeper about his going to England.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth

Melbourne and England a month previously, and that he -- the hutkeeper -- was in charge till his return.

Five Years in New Zealand 1859 to 1864 Robert B. Booth