The horse teams had been "shut in" the same
year, but as the Macs explained, the teamsters had broached their cargo
that year, and had a "glorious spree" with the cases of grog--a "glorious
spree" that detained them so long on the road that by the time they were
in there was no chance of getting out, and they had more than enough time
to brace themselves for the interview that eventually came with their
employers.
"Might a bullock-puncher have the privilege of shaking hands with a
lady?" the Irish Mac asked, extending an honest, horny hand; and the
privilege, if it were one, was granted. Finally all was ready, and the
waggons, one behind the other, each with its long swaying line of
bullocks before it, slid away from the Warloch Ponds and crept into the
forest, looking like three huge snails with shells on their backs,
Bertie's Nellie watching, wreathed in smiles.
Nellie had brought to the homestead her bosom friend and crony, Biddy,
and the staff had increased to five. It would have numbered six, only
Maudie, discovering that the house was infested with debbil-debbils, had
resigned and "gone bush.
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