should any of them charge us, as they were apt
to be vicious, and Toby might have a difficulty in escaping. "You need
not hurry yourselves," they added, "but when you hear the sound of our
stock whips, you had better mount and be ready to start."

Guy and I agreed that it was very fortunate we had fallen in with our
cousins, who seemed to be wonderfully hardy fellows, and we hoped might
prove good companions.

We waited a short time, when we heard, coming from some distance,
apparently, the sharp report of the whips, like the sound of crackers.
Now the sounds, mingled with a chorus of lowing and bellowing, reached
us from one side, now from the other, every moment approaching nearer,
so that we agreed that it would be wise to catch our horses and mount.
We were quickly in our saddles, when several bulls burst out of the
scrub a short distance from us. We rode forward to get out of their way
as they looked very much inclined to charge us. Presently others
appeared in different directions, and then our two young cousins,
cracking their long whips, followed, rounding up the cattle in the most
scientific manner, and turning several cows which with their calves were
evidently intent on bolting back into the scrub.

We soon got excited with the scene, and although our horses were
somewhat tired and we had no stock whips, we managed so effectually to
turn the cattle with our ordinary riding-whips, that our cousins
declared we assisted them very much. The mob once collected went on
steadily until we got them into the paddock, an enclosure half a mile in
extent, into which, some bars being removed, most of them eagerly
rushed. A few however tried to bolt, but were sent back by the stock
whips, and all were fortunately turned in; some to be used for beef,
others for branding, while the cows were wanted for milking.

"Where is the station?" I asked. "I can see only this immense
paddock."

"There!" answered Hector, pointing to where I caught sight of the roofs
of several low buildings. "We shall soon be there."

We put our horses into a canter, and in a short time arrived before a
collection of buildings like Indian bungalows, the centre of which was
the dwelling house, which had slab walls and shingled roof, with a
pretty verandah in front.

A stout gentleman, a few grey hairs sprinkling his head and large bushy
beard, came out to meet us, and on hearing from Hector who we were,
welcomed us cordially.

Our cousi