46 BUSH HORSES 



the loose horses and cattle would rush eagerly 

 forward, drinking greedily, and blowing them- 

 selves out. Riding along, the men sitting loosely 

 in their saddles, laughing, smoking, and talking, 

 the wings of the stock-yard were at length reached. 

 A stockman went ahead and let down the rails ; 

 and amid clouds of dust that completely hid the 

 leading cattle, the "mob" were secured for the 

 night. They rushed round and round in a circle, 

 half-frightened, and vainly searching for food and 

 drink. Before being let out of the stock-yard, the 

 calves were thrown by means of a lassoo and 

 green hide ropes, which held their legs tightly, 

 while with red-hot irons letters were deeply 

 branded into their flesh. 



Such is the routine of Bush life on an out-of- 

 the-way Australian run, and though the pay of a 

 stockman varies from a pound to thirty shillings 

 a week, the wages are well earned. A strong 

 physique and an excellent constitution are neces- 

 sary to those who would embark in this rough 

 but free calling. 



When the literature of a colony has a strongly- 

 marked individuality, it is quite worth studying — 

 though, perhaps, not entirely for its own sake. 

 The poetry, as likely as not, is only second-rate ; 

 and the prose does not rise much higher than 

 mediocrity. Yet the observant reader will gain 

 a fairly accurate insight into the manners and 

 customs of that particular colony, which might 

 otherwise never be obtained. 



Now, let us consider what author and poet 

 strike the key - note of Australian sentiment. 



