kes. We then tipped the dray up, thinking the ropes had
been burnt through, and that the bales of wool would roll off, when we
could deal with them. This was not the case, and the wind getting
underneath so fanned the flame that soon the wool was burning as
fiercely as the wood. The police investigated the matter, and found that
the man I gave the drink to had travelled down with this team, and had a
grievance about the payment of his wages. The Police Magistrate
committed him to the Supreme Court for trial for arson. I was subpoenaed
as principal witness, and had to ride back some 70 miles to give
evidence. The jury found the man guilty, and he was sentenced to two
years' hard labour. As he was leaving the Court, in passing me, he said,
"You have only two years to live," but in this he did not prove a true
prophet.

About this time I first made the acquaintance of the gentleman now known
as Sir Robert Philp. He has a reputation throughout this country, to
which, if I attempted to add anything would be simply gilding refined
gold. But in 1870 the name of Bob Philp, accountant for James Burns, was
throughout North Queensland a synonym for business ability, integrity
of character, and kindness of heart. This reputation has not been dimmed
by the passing of years. It is something of a pleasure to know Sir Robt.
Philp, but it is a matter of pride to have known Mr. Philp "Lang Syne,"
when men of ability, character, and generosity were not rare or
difficult to find.

I have alluded several times to "partners," or "mates," which was the
more popular term. These partnerships were quite common amongst carriers
and diggers in bygone days. It was simply chums, owning and sharing
everything in common, and without any agreement, written or otherwise.
There were many such partnerships involving large sums of money and
valuable property which existed only on a complete trust in mates.

Among others on the Gilbert and Etheridge, were the mateship of Steel,
Hunt and O'Brien. There were several such partnerships on the Palmer,
notably that of Duff, Edwards and Callaghan. Of the high characters and
generosity of all these men many interesting stories could be told. I
doubt if their prototypes now exist. In my own case, in carrying and in
business, I carried on with partners for many years without any
agreement. The partnerships were based on mutual trust. When it was felt
between the partners for some reason or other--generally a mere l