ost trouble, but the dogs hung on to the animals, some
catching them by the nose, others by the heels or tails, not ceasing to
worry them until they took the required direction.

As we were riding along, after we had got free of the bush, a huge bull
made a dash out, attempting to escape. I galloped after him,
belabouring him with my whip, and in spite of his continuing to try and
toss me, turned him back into the herd.

"Well done, Maurice," exclaimed Hector, "you'll make a first-rate
stockman, but you must practise with your whip before you can become as
expert as is necessary."

We visited, in the course of a day or two, other camps in which the wild
cattle were collected in the same fashion; when, led by the coaches, the
whole were driven into the yards, as they are called, situated at the
head station. Here they were allowed to remain until next morning when
the operation of mustering and branding commenced. The yard was so
divided that the cattle required for the various purposes were driven
into different compartments; the calves into one, the cattle to be
slaughtered into another, and those to be turned loose again, into a
third, while the stockmen from two or three neighbouring stations
attended to claim any of their masters' cattle which had got in among
Mr Strong's.

A calf having been lassoed, it was hauled up and its head held down by a
plank, when a hot brand was handed to a man standing ready to press it
against the creature's skin, where an indelible mark was left, when the
little bellower was allowed to rise and make its escape into another
pen.

Guy and I were not of much use, but we saw everything going forward, and
lent a hand whenever we could.

"Now, my lads," said Mr Strong to us the next day; "I see the stuff you
are made of. You'll do, and if you like to remain with me to learn all
you ought to know, you are welcome; after that you can decide what
course you will follow."

We had been some days at the station when a person arrived who had
occasionally been spoken of as Mr Kimber. He acted as tutor to our
host's younger sons as he did also to another family in the
neighbourhood. He was a graduate of one of our leading universities,
and had been found by Mr Strong in the humble capacity of hut-keeper on
a neighbouring station, a situation he was compelled to take in
consequence of having expended the whole of his means. His present
occupation was more in accordance with his tastes,