CHAPTER V.

"How gaily is at first begun
Our life's uncertain race!
Whilst yet that sprightly morning sun,
With which we just set out to run,
Enlightens all the place."

COUNTESS OF WINCHELSEA.

When William Ferguson received his brother's letter, he immediately
collected the draft of sheep with which they were to commence their
station, and started with them for Fern Vale, in company with Joey and
two shepherds. The route he intended to adopt, in his migration, was
somewhat the same as that taken by his brother and himself on their
first journey to Brompton. He was induced to make choice of this,
partly to enable him to renew the acquaintance of Mr. Dawson; but
principally on account of its leading him through a part of the country
little frequented, by which he would be enabled to prosecute his journey
with less chance of molestation. He therefore communicated his intention
to Mr. Dawson by post, which (though taking a more circuitous route than
he) would reach Barra Warra long before he made his appearance with his
flock. With a large number of sheep in charge, the travelling was
necessarily slow and tedious; and some time had been consumed ere the
young man approached the station of his acquaintance. No circumstance
worth recording had marked the passage thus far; all things seemed
propitious; and as William left his sheep in the charge of his
employees, encamped within sight of Barra Warra, he felt certain of a
successful termination to his journey.

Upon reaching the house of Mr. Dawson, he was disappointed to find that
gentleman from home (having been suddenly called away to town on
business); though he left word with his good lady, to express his
regrets at the circumstance that prevented his having the pleasure of
meeting his young friend, and his hope that William would make Barra
Warra his resting-place as long as he could conveniently do so. Mrs.
Dawson expressed her happiness to see him, and also pressed her
husband's invitation; while the children, who speedily remembered him,
uttered their welcomes in tones of joyous gratulation.

William thanked the kind-hearted lady, and accepted the invitation with
pleasure; though the visit, he said, would necessarily be short, as he
required to urge on the sheep, and he did not like resigning the
responsibility to either of the men. He was sorry, he said, that his
visits hitherto had been such flying ones