in due course at Brisbane.

The city, as it was in 1862, has so often been described, that it is
unnecessary for me to say anything as to its appearance. All I need say
is that it did not enter my mind to anticipate its growth and
importance.

Our ship's surgeon was Dr. Margetts, who, for many years afterwards,
practised his profession at Warwick. It is to his credit that we had no
deaths on the voyage, but immediately after landing, a little girl
passenger died. I helped to dig her grave on the ridges somewhere out
towards Fortitude Valley. My destination was "Stanton Harcourt," 55
miles north-west from Maryborough, which my uncle held as a station. He
was taking an active part in the great developments which, at this time,
were being carried out by the squatters. I was directed by my uncle's
agents, George Raff and Co., to engage five or six of the immigrants as
shepherds. These accompanied me to Maryborough by the old steamer
"Queensland." On arrival at Maryborough the shepherds were taken charge
of by the local agents, and I was instructed to ride on to the station.
I left Maryborough alone the same afternoon, but had not gone far when I
found I was bushed. Riding back I struck the main road, and followed it
to the public house at the Six-mile, which was a favourite camping place
for carriers. My new-chum freshness immediately attracted the attention
of the bullock-drivers camped there, who told me of the dangers I would
meet from the blacks, unless I propitiated them by generous gifts of
tobacco.

These stories so much impressed me that I bought a large quantity of
tobacco from the publican. After that, when I saw any blacks, even if
off the road, I would ride over and give some tobacco, which surprised
and amused them considerably. I arrived at the public house, at a place
known as "Musket Hat," in time for dinner. A gentleman who knew my uncle
happened to be there, and whilst waiting for dinner, said, "Come out,
and I will show you a good racehorse." Outside a horse was being groomed
by a man, who took some pains to describe his good points. I appreciated
the man's kindness, and on leaving handed him a shilling to buy a drink.
This he took with a smile, and thanked me. I felt somewhat small when my
friend told me that I had tipped the owner of the horse himself, and
that he would tell the joke in such a way that it would be long before I
forgot it, and this proved to be so.

Towards sundown, my friend left m