Shepherding in the Australian Bush. 81 
the evening meal. Then, for a little while, he is off duty. 
With what interest he contemplates the roasting over a bright 
fire outside the hut of that wallaby which his master shot in 
the afternoon as they were coming home. How solemnly he 
watches the mysterious movements of that incomprehensible 
creature, Man, busy with pots and kettles over the fire, for 
no purpose apparent to his simple mind, which, nevertheless, 
is strong in faith that out of all this will come a savoury 
stew such as his soul loveth. At these times we feel the reality 
of the companionship of the dog. The frugal meal, shared with 
him equitably to the very last tit-bit, becomes a banquet; and 
we only regret that he cannot partake with us in the enjoy- 
ment of that crowning luxury—the after-dinner pipe of 
Cavendish. 
Some of those who read these chapters may have decided 
to try sheep farming in Australia. If they do, I would 
advise them to secure a good puppy on arrival at the station 
where they intend taking up their quarters, and make him 
their constant companion and friend. The breed does 
not much matter, so long as it is not kangaroo hound: but 
of course something with colley or retriever in it—my 
best dog, and the cleverest I ever had at the work, was a 
black retriever—should be preferred. He must be strong 
and courageous, for if he collars a dingo in the course of 
his business he must be able to master him, the bite of 
these brutes being most severe. The weight, then, should 
not be less than 65lb. Many squatters will not allow the 
use of dogs with sheep, because there is too great a tendency 
on the part of lazy and incompetent shepherds to be 
always “dogging” the flock, and keeping them in a state 
of nervous excitement, most prejudicial to their health, and 
obviously dangerous to gravid ewes. I have met with 
shepherds, too, who affect to despise the services of a dog; 
but these have rarely been men I would employ from choice. 
People who are deficient in the intelligence necessary to 
train a sheepdog, and use him with judgment, are not 
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