being able to procure this, as there was little else in the (so-called) store. The fact is, it was chiefly an establishment for “sly grog-selling," sheltered under the garb of a bush shop, or store, but at this time they were out of everything, even rum.

Journeying on, we crossed several plains, divided from each other by belts of trees. One of these, Battery Plain, takes its name from a large rock rising abruptly with perpendicular sides from the level ground below. It is crowned with trees, and, from its strangely isolated position, looks not unlike a fort, or battery.

Passing a station called Carroll, we crossed the River Namoi, now merely a chain of ponds, but having a deep bed, and in wet seasons appearing a large and rapid stream. Here our route lay for some miles through level forest land. Having crossed the river more than once, and passed over

several alternate plains and strips of forest, we arrived, after a ride of thirty-five or forty miles, at my friend's station, well pleased with the prospect of repose, after so hot and fatiguing a journey.

CHAPTER VIII.

Sheep-Washing and Shearing-Preparation of the Wool-Excursions into the Country-Bush FairInterior of a Hut-Difficulties and Losses of the Settler-The Native Dog-The Cumberland HuntPunishment of a Runaway Black-Phenomenon on the Plains-Propinquity of Bushrangers-Their Depredations-Expedition in quest of them—A Midnight Ride-Wonders of the Heavens-Station on the Mooki-Whirlwinds-Cattle Hunting-Chase of the Emu-The Kangaroo described-Banks of the Namoi-Want of Water-The Author's Cattle-A Bad Character.

ON arriving at the station, we found that the sheep-shearing had already commenced under the management of the superintendent; and early the next morn

ing we visited the shearing-shed, where the proprietor himself thenceforth took the management, and where I very frequently spent the day, keeping the tally of the sheep shorn.

Besides the men belonging to the establishment, a good many extra hands were employed for this especial business,—these latter consisting of free, or ticket-of-leave men, who move from one station to another at this season of the year, in order to get employment at the shearing, as the Irish at home do during the harvest, this being, in fact, the Australian harvest, and the wool the largest and most valuable crop that is reaped.

The shearing is carried on in a large barked shed, as many as fifteen or twenty men often being at work together. Tarpaulins are laid on the ground to keep the wool clean; and these, together with the number of sheep and men, make the shed

a very hot place. The men shear on an average sixty or seventy a-day, though some will reach even a hundred. They are paid according to the number shorn, and usually at from half-a-crown to three shillings and sixpence per score. As each sheep is shorn, the shearer takes the fleece to the sortingtable, and either calls out his name or, if he is known, tells the tally-keeper to mark one for him. As there are often many strangers at the shearing, and many of these are sons of Erin, one's ears are often saluted in a rich brogue, with "one for Paddy Doyle," "one for Mick Kelly," and so forth.

The work is fatiguing, being always conducted in the hottest season of the year; and the men have two or three glasses of rum a-day. Some of the sheep were scabby, and these, of course, required to be doctored, at which operation I also assisted. Each infected sheep was bled in the cheek, with a pen-knife, and then immersed in a tub