# John Smith — While the Billy Boils character guide

> John Smith in While the Billy Boils by Henry Lawson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Smith, Poor old Smith, Jacky, the John Smith

**First appearance:** 0021-steelman

## Snapshot

A guileless, soft-hearted bushman who trusts the wrong mate and pays for it, forever cast as the mug in Steelman's schemes.

## Who they are

Smith is the loyal, credulous foil to Steelman, a man whose good nature makes him easy prey for every confidence trick his partner can invent. When Steelman dresses him as a dying consumptive to beg from a Scottish household, Smith submits with helpless bewilderment, asking only what he has done wrong. His willingness to be humiliated for a mate's sake gives the partnership its strange, lopsided tenderness, and makes the reader wince at every fresh manipulation.

## In the story

### [A Day on a Selection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/a-day-on-a-selection)

One of the younger children at the dinner table, scolded for misbehavior.

### [The Drover’s Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/the-drover-s-wife)

One of the younger children, who complains about being crowded and is taught to swear by Tommy.

### [Steelman's Pupil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/steelman-s-pupil)

Steelman's pupil, a small and weedy man who is initially a hopeless 'mug' but gradually learns under Steelman's harsh tutelage.

### [In a Wet Season](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/in-a-wet-season)

The narrator uses the alias 'John Smith, drover' on his pass, though he is not actually a drover.

### [The Geological Spieler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/the-geological-spieler)

Acts as Steelman's servant, 'James,' and entertains the camp with music and stories.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/characters/john_smith
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/characters