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RECOLLECTIONS
OF
BUSH LIFE IN AUSTRALIA,
DURING A
RESIDENCE OF EIGHT YEARS IN THE INTERIOR.
BY REV. HENRY WILLIAM HAYGARTH.
NEW EDITION.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1861.
HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY FROM
THE BEQUEST OF
EVERT JANSEN WENDELL
1918
LONDON PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES, AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
AND CHARING CROSS.
INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS.
Page
CHAPTER I.
Early Impressions of Australia-Start for the Interior-Mode of Tra-
velling-Receding Civilization-Scenery-A Way-side Inn-Bush
Innkeepers Alarming Reports-Passing the Boundaries of the
Colony-Definition of "the Bush"-Arrival at the Station
5
CHAPTER II.
A Head Station in the Interior-Disposition of the Stock-Arrange-
ment of the Buildings—Bush Architecture—An Out-station—Forming
a New Station-A Race for Fresh Pasture-A Settler's Stratagem-
Anecdotes Shifting Stock-Hardships-Mode of Watching Cattle
by Night-An Encampment in the Bush
13
CHAPTER III.
Society in the Inland Districts-Hospitality of Settlers—The Labouring
Classes State of Morality-Habitual Swearing-Intoxication-A
Bush Public-house-Anecdotes-An Inland " Spa"-Prospects of
Improvement
CHAPTER IV.
Report of Bushrangers-Its effect in the Neighbourhood—The Discom.
fited Settler-An Unwelcome Visit-Buchan Charley-His History
-Confessions of a Bushranger-The Mounted Police-Sequel of the
Career of Charley and his Gang.
CHAPTER V.
Sheep-farming-Mode of Depasturing Sheep-Dislike of Shepherds
to their Vocation-Appearance of a Sheep-station-Unsettled Habits
of its Inmates-Wages-Laziness induced by the Occupation—
Shearing-Bush Shearers-Interior of a Woolshed at Shearing-time
-Conveyance of Wool to Sydney-Horse and Bullock Drays—
Life on the Road-Return of the Teams - The Catarrh-Cause
of the Disease-A Head-station during the Catarrh-Lambing Time
-Management of the Ewes-Other diseases among Sheep-The Scab
-Causes-Mode of Cure-Difficulty of Preventing Contagion-
Regulations concerning Removal of Diseased Flocks-Foot-rot-
Sheep the best Stock in the Colony-Advice to Purchasers of Sheep. 43
-
CHAPTER VI.
Bush Cattle-Their interesting Habits-Rapid Increase-Mode of Ma-
nagement" Tailing "- Powerful Instinct-A Rendezvous ".
Number Depastured together--A Muster-Speed of the Half-wild
Cattle-Stock Horses-"Cutting out" a Bullock-Bush Riding--
Propensity of Cattle to acquire Bad Habits-Loss to the Owner
occasioned thereby-Anecdote-A Muster by Moonlight-Interest-
ing Scene-Application of the term " Quiet "Habits of the Bulls-
An Encounter upon the Plains—“Draughting” Cattle-Scene in a
Stock Yard-Description of a Cattle Enclosure in the Interior-
Branding Disadvantages in Selling-" Boiling Down"-Quality
of Australian Cattle-Hints to Breeders
55
CHAPTER VII.
The Half-wild Horses of the Interior-Roving Mode of Life—
Local Attachments-Appearance of a Large Herd on the Plains-
Entire Horses The Vicious Habits they occasionally acquire—
Anecdote A Bush Incident - Value of a Good Saddle-Horse-
"Buckjumping"-Mode of Breaking Young Horses - Roping a Colt
-Horse Hunting --- Irreclaimable Herds-A Rash Speculation—
Quality of Australian Horses-Advice to Breeders
73
CHAPTER VIII.
Economy of a Station-An "Up Country " Store-Mode of Transacting
Business-Agriculture in the Bush-Diet-Receipt for "a Damper
-Killing a Bullock-Boundary Questions-A Court of Inquiry--
Sunday in the Far Districts
85
CHAPTER IX.
An Invitation-Expedition in Pursuit of Stray Cattle-Amos the Native
-A Day in the Gullies-Australian Night Scene-Tracking a Wild
Herd-The Chase and Return
95
CHAPTER X.
First Visit from the Aborigines-Portrait of an Australian Savage
-Of а "Gin" or Female -Their Natural Character-A "Corro-
bory "-A "Pas seul "-Mental Powers of the Blacks-Language of
Intercourse with the Settlers-Religion-Weapons-The Spear and
Woomera-The Boomering-Its Construction and Peculiarities—
The Shield and Club-Duel with the Spear-With the Club-Theft
Detected-Departure of the Tribe
102
CHAPTER XI.
Incidents of Daily Life-Ride to a Sheep Station-Sporting in the Bush-
Native Dog-chace-Anecdote of a Tame Specimen-Business mingled
with Pleasure-Emu and Kangaroo-Shooting-Angling-The Pla-
typus, or Watermole-Snakes-Man Bitten-Effects of the Venom
-First Sight of a New Pastoral District-Picturesque Scene-Re-
marks upon the Climate of Australia
115
CHAPTER XII.
Character of Australian Scenery-Conflicting Statements of Travellers
-Trip to Lake Omio-My Companion-A Whimsical Reception-
Colonial Idea of a Bad Road-Wild and Forlorn View-A Team in
the Mountains-Colonial Drivers-Chapter of Accidents-Descent of
"The Gulf"-The Snowy River-Road by its Banks-Wild Oats-
Bark Canoe of the Aborigines-A Bush Ferry-The Nine-Mile
"Pinch"-Route through the Mountains-Events of the Road-A
Herd of Horses in the Mountains-Skill in Woodcraft-The "Free-
stone" Range-Striking Contrast-First Sight of Omio Plain-Pic-
turesque Spot Our Host at Omio-Colonial Pets-Native Com-
panion - Kangaroos -White Cockatoos- Parrots Story of the
White Woman carried off by the Wild Blacks-A Cool Visitor--
Return Home
--
124