The papers having been thus proved satisfactory, the drovers started
their boys with the bullocks, before giving their attention to the
packing up of their camp baggage, and we turned to our own affairs.
As the Dandy's new yard was not furnished yet with a draughting lane and
branding pens, the mixed cattle were to be taken to the Bitter Springs
yard; and by the time Jack had been seen off with them and our own camp
packed up, the drovers had become so involved in baggage that Dan and the
Dandy felt obliged to offer assistance. Finally every one was ready to
mount, and then we and the drovers exchanged polite farewells and parted,
seller and buyer each confident that he knew more about the cash for that
cheque than the other. No doubt the day came when those drovers ceased
to marvel at the Maluka's simple trust.
The drovers rode away to the north-west, and as we set out to the
south-east, Dan turned his back on "them little darlings" with a sigh of
relief. "Reckon that money's been earned, anyway," he said. Then, as
Jackeroo was the only available "boy," the others all being on before
with the cattle, we gathered together our immense team of horses and
drove them out of camp.
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