1863, Edward Palmer (years
afterwards M.L.A. for Carpentaria), who was in charge of his uncle's
station "Eureka," four miles from "Stanton Harcourt," started with the
sheep depasturing there for the Gulf country. He eventually settled at
Canobie, on the Williams River, a tributary of the Cloncurry.

In September one of the new shepherds absconded, leaving his sheep in
the yard at an out-station. I was instructed by my uncle to take out a
summons, and applied to Mr. W. H. Gaden, a neighbouring squatter, for
it. The summons was sent to Maryborough for service. In due time I had
to appear as prosecutor. The man had engaged a solicitor, who, when the
case was called on, applied for a discharge, as the summons did not
state it was sworn to, but only signed W. H. Gaden, J.P. The man was
discharged on these grounds. I was not sorry. He was useless as a
shepherd, but through him I had obtained an enjoyable ride to
Maryborough with all expenses paid.

My uncle in the meantime had again started out to seek new country for
the sheep, and engaged Mr. Walter Carruthers, of Carruthers and Wood,
Rocky Springs station, Auburn River, to take charge of the mob of
12,000, leaving instructions that they were to start before the end of
1864.

Great preparations were required to equip the party. We were taking 30
saddle horses, two bullock teams, and one horse team. In addition to the
stores, we had to provide all sorts of tools, etc., to build and form a
new station.

I preferred to drive one of the bullock teams. My duties on arrival at
camp were to erect a tent and two iron stretchers for Carruthers and
myself, take my watch every night from three to daylight, and then to
muster the bullocks. In the case of dry stages I also had to take water
to the men.

When passing through Gayndah I purchased tobacco from John Connolly (who
died lately at the very great age of 102 years), and for which I had to
pay L1 per pound.

When we came to the Dawson River, near Mrs. McNabb's station, it was in
flood. We felled a big tree across the stream, and with boughs and other
timber, improvised a bridge. For three days we were working in our
shirts only, getting the sheep and--when the water fell--the teams
across. Mosquitoes, sandflies, and a hot sun made us nearly raw. Along
this road Carruthers had his favorite horse "Tenby" stolen. He had hung
the animal up to the verandah post of a wayside public house, to see the
sheep and teams pass. After t