Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-01-05
DEAD MANS MP.

1873 or 1874, that was crossing over from
St. Georges Bridge to Kalwall. | had
been to rush at Bingera, n. S. w, but,
as it proved II rank duffer got up by the
local storekeepers l quickly gave it best
and made back by the bridge in hopes of
getting droving job from the gulf down
south.
1t was hot weather. Queenslanders will
remember that summer, or at least certain
days of it when birds fell dead off the
trees, and men were stricken down by the
dozen
There was no drearier track in Australia
than the one l speak of-all pine scrub, too
thick for dog to bark in, and sand deep
and heavy.
There was nothing doing in the Bridge,
SO l started off for the Barcoo via Berrie
and Bringagee.
1t was only the beginning of the hot sea
son, and | reckoned on finding water at a
hole in the Mullungudgeree creek, known
of aforetime, and about 25 miles from the
township. 1t was a lovely ride that with
nothing but walls of scrub on either hand
and glazing sand aheadl
The horses, too seemed to feel it as they
plowed along with bent down heads, hard
ly troubling to shake their fly fappers and
dispense the black masses clustering at
each eye. Ones veil even was but poor
protection, for they gathered in such
clouds as to actually obscure the sight.
However, shogging along, with pull
at the water bag now and then, | at length
reached the creek.
Following it down, | found the hole, al
ready pretty thick, and presently made
more so by the pack horse and dog before
| could get up to stop them wallowing
The sun was setting-a big red ball over
the tops of the scrub-as | pitched the
tent, made fire, and slung the billy.
Then, as there was fair picking around the
camp, hobbed the horses long and belled
them.
After supper-biscuits, sardncs and
cheese, washed down by tea thrice skim
med and straiued-I felt pretty comforta-
BILE, and lay on my blankets to enjoy
good smoke By this the hot sun had set.
and the moon was rising-big, yellow and
hot looking too.
1t was very lonely camp, and accus.
toned to solitude as ! was | felt it.
Doubtless the feeling was accumulated by
the presence all around of the thick scrub,
and the knowledge that there was no set
Element about.
Presently n little bird known to bush
men as the "shepherd's companion" set
tied on the ridge pole and pped at regular
intervals in shrill, quick monotone
"Pretty little creature! Sweet, pretty little
creaturev and felt very grateful to him.
This and the snoring of my dog, who
had fallen fast asleep on the strength of a
tin of sardines, were the only sounds aud
ible. was fast getting drowsy and Think
ing of turning in, when l heard the noise
of hoofs coming thump, thump down the
dry bed of the creek.
The dog afvoke and barked loudly, and
in another minute a man and IA woman
rode into the opening and up to the fire.
They each carried big swag in front of
them, and at Il glance | saw that their
| horses We're not only well bred but had
Travelled far and fast.
"WaterW exclaimed the man. | gave
him some, and he lifted his companion OF
and handed her the mug.
"We're travelin, mate" exclaimed he
as / helped him to unsaddle. eve got
pushed atween here an the Bokhira. It's
a bit o. id bad country"
They had not come from that direction
at all But it was no business of mine So
passed no remark. They had plenty of
tucker with them, and | slung the billy
again.
he was IL fresh looking, pleasant faced
girl, OF about - or -, bush born and bred
/ one could see that ut II glance, and prob
ably able to ride ike centaur.
lie was one OF type knew well. a
cattle man all over, from the long curved
legs OF him to the lean, sharp eyed resolute
lace; also from MS saddle noticed hang
ing stockwhlp with curiously carved
handle After supper l offered them the
use or the tent, which was thankfully nc
cepted. Ihe mlssls, SAID he, " III be
only too glad OF the chance. We've had to
lie out TINS last couple o. nights. Sothey
took their swags inside, while lay at the
hre' with pack saddle Tor pillow and
the dog at my feet.
when l awoke, as most bushmen do,
about midnight, clouds were sailing over
the moon and the air felt chilly. Throw
ing more wood on the fire. stood warm
ing myself while filled my pipe.
could hear the bells not very FAR off in
the scrub, and knew by their steady tin
king tnat the animals had found good
patch and were contented.
Suddenly loud neigh broke the still
ness, followed bV the rumblinU WlinuV