Station Work 35 



are in his way. Soon he is galloping in the direc- 

 tion the stockman has chosen, and is added to the 

 mob of cattle to which he rightly belongs. Then 

 back go man and horse to the press again, to re- 

 peat the exciting work. After the cutting out is 

 done, and the beasts have been sorted in mobs 

 according to their classes, each mob is made to 

 "string" or move in single file, in order that a 

 count may be made. L,ast of all comes the brand- 

 ing of the "clean-skins," an operation performed 

 with much heating of irons, an overpowering 

 odour of burning hair and hide, and a frantic bel- 

 lowing on the part of the persecuted oxen. 



If the good qualities of the stock-horse are to 

 be thoroughly appreciated, he must be seen at 

 this work of cutting out, or the equally stirring 

 performance of running wild horses. The ' ' brum- 

 bies, ' ' as the wild horses are called, are usually to 

 be found in the hilly districts, and their existence 

 on a run in any number is soon made apparent by 

 the amount of pasturage they consume. Then 

 the run-holder may arrange to clear his run of 

 them, by calling in a band of men who make the 

 capture of wild horses their profession. Opera- 

 tions are begun by building a stout stock-yard in 

 a position chosen with regard to the known habits 

 of the horses. On the day appointed for the 

 "running," there is no lack of volunteers willing 

 to try the speed of their horses against that of the 

 brumbies. The position of the mob of wild horses 

 has been carefully marked, and with equal care 



