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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.
LONDON PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES, AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
AND CHARING CROSS.
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.
22
35
CHAPTER V.
Page
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-
"-Powerful Instinct-A "Rendezvous".
nagement" Tailing
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 terın "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 a "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