two more himself and his followers are under weigh for some
district where he can purchase stock cheapest and make a good start for
another market.

MAGNITUDE OF THEIR OPERATIONS.

The magnitude of the operations of the Overlanders would scarcely be
credited; a whole fortune is risked, and in the wilderness: its safety
depends upon good guidance; yet far from being intimidated by the thought
the adventurers are only stimulated to a greater degree of activity. The
stock of an Overlander is the capital which he has invested in a single
speculation; and to give an idea of the amount of this I will show, at a
moderate estimate, the value of a herd, the property of an Overlander who
arrived in Adelaide in the month of March 1840 from the district of
Illawarra, New South Wales.

HORNED CATTLE.

260 Cows, many broken in.
230 Bullocks, 3 1/2 years old and upwards.
190 Steers, 2 1/2 years old and upwards.
39 Steers, 1 1/2 years old and upwards.
70 Heifers, two to three years old.
32 Heifers, one to two years old.
9 Bulls.
5 Calves.
20 Working Bullocks, two shafters.

855 Total head of Horned Cattle.

HORSES.

22 Mares, all in foal, 3 to 5 years old.
5 do., 5 to 8 years old.
7 Fillies, do., 2 to 3 years old.
3 do., rising 3 years, not in foal.
5 do., rising 2 years, not in foal.
10 Saddle and Draught Horses.
5 Colts, rising 4 years old.
1 Colt, rising 3 years old.
1 Colt, rising 2 years old.
1 Blood Stallion.
1 Draught entire Horse.
1 Entire Pony.

62 Total number of Horses.

900 Fat Wethers.

AMOUNT OF STOCK VENTURES.

Now, striking a low average, the value in pounds of this herd of cattle,
horses, and sheep, in South Australia, was:

Horned Stock 8,550.
Horses 3,720.
Wethers 1,575.

Total: 13,845 pounds.

But between this and an ordinary mercantile risk no parallel can be
drawn. A merchant insures his cargo so that his total loss can but be a
small portion of the whole. The Overlander cannot do this with his stock
and runs a far greater proportionate risk. It must also be borne in mind
that the statement of the herd, which I have above given, does not
include all that started for South Australia, but only the survivors,
who, after traversing so many hundred miles, reached in safety the
destined mart.

INFLUX OF STOCK TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

When the Overlanders drive sheep alone, without horned stock or horses,
the number of heads is much increased, as from 8000 to 12,000 sheep are
brought over