Shepherding in the Australian Bush. 719 
at home at ease,” and read flowery descriptions of Arcadian 
life in the boundless forests of the Australian bush, and so 
forth. A flock of more than a thousand strong wethers 
will walk twelve miles out and back in the course of a 
day, and spread over an area of half a square mile in no time, 
if not judiciously kept together, without, however, that 
constant “dogging,” which worries them out of condition, 
and affects the quality of the fleeces, for these sheep are 
not the tame, tractable creatures to be met with on our 
open meadows. The sudden appearance of a native or a dingo 
may create a panic and a stampede, and then they will be 
out of sight in half a minute, and gallop wildly for a mile 
if not rounded up by the dogs. The heavily timbered country 
and long coarse grass give shelter to the enemy, whether 
humane or canine, and as the sweet grass on which alone 
the sheep feed grows in isolated tufts, they are always on 
the run to pick up enough to fill themselves. 
Constant attention, then, is necessary. Where the ground is 
broken or covered with “grass trees” the shepherd may be 
unable to see more than a score of his whole flock at any 
moment. Atsuchtimes a good dog will jog off, even unasked, 
walk round the flock, and come back after his inspection with 
a satisfied air, expressive of consciousness of having done his 
duty, and shown that incompetent person, his master, how to 
look after sheep. Towards midday, as the heat becomes 
intense, they lie down or “camp,” to doze away an hour 
and chew the cud. That is the grand opportunity for the 
enemy. Stealing up to the flock, a dingo or a black fellow 
may rush in among them, separate a score or so from the 
rest, and throw the whole flock into a state of wild confusion. 
Should this happen it is almost impossible for the shepherd 
unassisted to bring them together. It is the dog’s business, 
however, while they are camping, to take an occasional look 
round and report to the shepherd. In the event of his per- 
ceiving anything to excite his suspicions, he barks, and attracts 
the man to the spot. There is always more than an “off 
