214 THE PASTORAL AGE IN AUSTRALASIA 



or heads them ofif in a different direction. Sometimes 

 he loses a mob, which gets snowed in till next spring 

 sets them free. 



This too is a lonely life, and sometimes the boundary- 

 keeper, like the shepherd, loses his reason. But, to 

 distract his thoughts, there is much to interest in Nature. 

 Sunset and sunrise are clothed "«ith fresh magnificence ; 

 the snow (we are in New Zealand now) plays many a 

 prank ; and the Bush takes on new aspects with the 

 approach of spring. The boundary-keeper (who is 

 sometimes an educated man) returns to civilisation with 

 a keener appreciation of its advantages. 



