shown all the operations taking place on the farm. As they gave
diligent attention to everything they saw, they rapidly acquired a
sufficient knowledge of agriculture and of the management of sheep and
cattle, as practised in Australia, to enable them, with their previous
experience as farmers in England, to commence farming on their own
account.

While, however, they were in search of a station to suit them, Mr
Prentiss received an application to find a gentleman capable of taking
the management of a sheep and cattle farm, about a hundred and fifty
miles off. "Quite in our neighbourhood, as we measure distances in this
country," he remarked. He proposed to the young Gilpins that they
should accept the post. "You will be allowed to keep a proportion of
sheep and cattle on your own account, and receive wages for looking
after those of your employer, so that you will gain in both ways. You
will find also an established system by which, if it prove a good one,
time and labour may be saved. I would gladly find you employment, but
this will be far more to your advantage. It was hoped, I believe, that
one of my own sons would take it."

The brothers at once agreed to accept the offer.

CHAPTER THREE.

The Gilpins no longer felt like newly arrived immigrants when they found
themselves on their way to Warragong, the station of which they had
undertaken charge. They were far, however, from being over-confident of
success, or of pleasing their employers; but they had resolved to make
up by diligence and perseverance for their want of experience, and Mr
Prentiss assured them that he had no doubt of their doing well. Sam
Green had thrown in his lot with them, and though receiving good wages
from Mr Prentiss, he begged that he might be allowed to accompany them
on the chance of their being able to give him permanent employment.
Knowing by this time the value of a thoroughly trustworthy servant in
Australia, they were very glad to accept his offer. They, as well as
Sam, had been furnished with excellent horses; and, much to his own
satisfaction as well as theirs, Larry Killock was sent with a light cart
to convey their luggage and various luxuries, which had been provided
through the kindness of Mrs Prentiss. A native black, partly
civilised, and able to speak broken English, accompanied them as guide,
and formed the fifth person of this party. He either travelled in the
cart or ran on foot beside it.

"I shou