In Time of Drought 83 



her told in the Australian newspapers concerning 

 the havoc wrought by drought: 



Ridley Williams had occupied Burbank Station 

 for thirty years. In the 'eighties, he thought he 

 was a rich man, for three thousand calves were 

 being branded each year. Then came the bad 

 seasons, and in 1902, only two calves were 

 branded. Just then the rains came, and the grass 

 sprang as it had not done for years. He looked 

 round and reflected that it might come right after 

 all. But he considered it was only annual grass 

 and light herbage, that the old drought-resisting 

 plants were gone. He counted the cost of re- 

 stocking, he counted the risk; then, plucking up 

 courage, he packed his portmanteau, sent on 

 what few head of stock were left, and abandoned 

 Burbank, " improvements and all." 



That is the story so far as it goes. The sequel 

 occurs readily enough to the imagination. Into 

 the run abandoned by this pioneer, another will 

 surely step, perhaps to be favoured by good sea- 

 sons and to achieve a rapid prosperity. Or per- 

 haps he will but repeat the experience of his 

 predecessor; for judgment, industry, and business 

 ability count for nothing against the fickle climate 

 of Australia. 



One day from the life of drought-stricken Aus- 

 tralia will serve to describe the terrible struggle 

 with nature that is carried on through so many 

 bitter years. Sunrise comes with a fiery red glow 

 and a scorching wind, so dry and blasting that it 



