14 



IN AUSTRALIAN WILDS 



Sunshine, flowers and bird song were all sweet 

 things; and night, with her stars, was desirable, too. 

 None of us has pleasanter memories than those which 

 were gathered in Olinda Vale. Like Thoreau, we 

 plucked life's finer fruits, and reckoned up accounts on 

 a thumb nail. I shall not weary you with details of 



SCARLET -BREASTED ROBIN ON NEST IN WOODPILE. 



economy, or records of the daily round at "Walden 

 Hut"; Nature is the theme. Every day was passed 

 in health and happiness. We lived frugally and spent 

 little. Meals consisted of bread, meat, occasionally 

 fish from the stream, fruit, wild honey and eggs, with 

 milk, tea and cool creek water. Luxuries were not 

 desired. On our sack bunks we slept soundly, after 

 a day in the open air. Doubtless, this mode of life 

 would suit few city -bred folk ; but we found it delight- 



