was impossible to cross unless we made a sound road. We
had passed two teams camped, but as I was within 15 miles of my
destination, I determined to push on. My drivers and I cut down
saplings, and made a corduroy, across which we sledged the twelve tons
of loading. This was rather risky, as we had a quantity of dynamite on,
the explosive caps of which were inserted in 50lb. bags of flour. During
our work, which took three days to complete, the other teamsters would
frequently ride past and say, "That's right, boys, make a good road for
us," but did not offer to help. This riled me and my men.

Sub-Inspector O'Connor, knowing we were close, rode over with his
troopers to give us a hand. When we had got the last of the waggons
through, and put the loads on again, it was quite dark. After supper I
said it would serve the other fellows right if we took up the saplings
and burnt them. The idea caught on with the men, and by the aid of the
troopers, we took up every stick and, with some trouble, made a huge
bonfire of them. As they were saturated with water it was difficult
setting them alight, and the rain continued the whole time. However, by
about midnight we completed our job, tired out, wet through, and no dry
blankets to sleep in. Next morning, we were yoking to move on when the
owner of the other teams came up and threatened us with revenge for
burning the timber. When he saw O'Connor and his troopers he calmed
down, and returned to his teams, regretting he had not assisted us. He
now had to do as we had done, but with all the saplings which had been
in close proximity cut down. The next day we reached our destination,
and formed a good camp at the Blacksoil to enjoy our Christmas dinner
and a well-earned rest.

I now began to feel a tinge of rheumatism in my arms through wearing wet
clothing continuously. About the new year one of my saddle horses came
into the camp with a portion of a spear stuck in his rump. We threw him
and cut out the barbed head of the spear, but the wound afterwards
remained a running sore. I caught the camp horse, which we always kept
hobbled, and started in search of the others. In following the tracks, I
found where the blacks had rounded them up--killing two, one my
favourite hack--and had taken away the meat for consumption.

After mustering the others, I reported the matter to O'Connor, who had
just received the information of the murder of two packers, and was
preparing for a long patr