We had spent one week out-bush, visiting the four points of the compass,
half a day at the homestead packing a fresh swag; three days riding into
the Katherine, having found incidental entertainment on the road, and on
the fourth day were entering into an argument by wire with Chinese
slimness. "The monotony would kill me," declared the townsfolk.
On the road in we had met the Village Settlement homeward bound--the
bonnie baby still riding on its mother's knee, and smiling out of the
depths of its sunbonnet; but every one else was longing for the bush.
Darwin had proved all unsatisfying bustle and fluster, and the trackless
sea, a wonder that inspired strange sickness when travelled over.
For four days the Maluka argued with Chinese slimness before he felt
satisfied that his cash was in safe keeping while the Wag and others did
as they wished with our spare time. Then, four days later, again Cheon
and Tiddle'ums were hailing us in welcome at the homestead.
But their joy was short-lived, for as soon as the homestead affairs had
been seen to, and a fresh swag packed, we started out-bush again to look
for Dan and his bullocks, and, coming on their tracks at our first night
camp, by following them up next morning we rode into the Dandy's camp at
the Yellow Hole well after midday, to find ourselves surrounded by the
stir and bustle of a cattle camp.
Pages:
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286