cessary deeds of transfer when they
were ready for execution. He then took his leave of the family,
intending to go down to Moreton Bay, whence a steamer plied to Sydney,
and on thence to superintend his business there and select the
necessaries for forming the station; at the same time that his brother
and Joey returned to New England, to wait there until John had so far
perfected his plans, as to be able to bring up his supplies and prepare
the station for the reception of the sheep.

It is unnecessary to trace the peregrinations of John Ferguson, or to
tire the reader with a detail of William's every day life at Acacia
creek; we will simply say that in the course of about six weeks John
returned to Brisbane, and wrote to his brother to muster their sheep and
start with them for the station as soon as possible. He stated that he
had engaged drays to take up their loading, and that he intended to
precede them himself; so that he would in all probability reach the
station some weeks before either the supplies or the sheep, and would
engage some bush carpenters as he went up, to prepare the place for
their reception. To carry out this intention, he made all speed for his
destination; and arriving at Alma, the nearest township to his place, on
the fourth day, he there engaged two men, to whom he gave directions to
meet him at Brompton, and pushed on himself for that station.

Alma and Brompton lay about equidistant from his own place; but his
inability to describe sufficiently clearly to the understanding of the
men the _locale_ of the new station, and his rations having been left at
the latter place, it was necessary for him to proceed there first. Upon
his appearance at Mr. Smithers', he was welcomed with much cordiality;
and every assistance was given him by the kind proprietor, though he had
been quite disinterested in the arrangements between Bob and the
Fergusons. Yet such was his kindly disposition, that considerations of
interest weighed very little with him, and he freely and kindly tendered
any aid that lay in his power. He recommended John to go over to the
run, and, if he had not done so already, to select a site for his
station; and for that purpose he offered him the services of one of his
own men; while he promised to have the carpenters directed to the place
whenever they made their appearance.

The run had been originally called Fern Vale by Bob Smithers, when he
tendered for it to the government; and J