severe as it was, saved me, and in three weeks I was
myself again.

When I was convalescent I found letters from home awaiting me. My father
sent a little money, but wished me to utilise it in paying my passage
home, and appeared to have lost faith in my doing any good in New
Zealand; but I was more determined than ever to remain. Was I not
accumulating colonial experiences, and always found employment of some
kind awaiting me? and I was still very young--only a little over
eighteen. The free life I had spent for nearly two years had had its
effect, and I could not consent to throw it up, at any rate not just
yet.

The doctors who had attended me expressed their opinions that I had
overtaxed my strength at work to which I was not accustomed, and forbade
my undertaking anything of the kind for a while. This of course was
nonsense, but I saw no reason why I should not enjoy a holiday for a
month or so in Christchurch till I had settled future plans.

Just at this time I received a letter from Smith, informing me that the
run he had charge of was sold, and having thereby lost his appointment,
he was coming to Christchurch _en route_ for Otago on a voyage of
enterprise, and invited me to join him. This was excellent; the
wandering disposition was again strong upon me, and I looked forward to
such a trip to a new part of the country in company with my old friend
with the keenest delight. I agreed to his proposal at once, and
immediately he arrived we set to work to make preparations for our
journey south, although where that journey was to lead us or of what
might be before us we were profoundly ignorant; but that knowledge or
want of knowledge enhanced the glory of the movement. We were a couple
of free lances starting to seek what might turn up, and eventually we
were led into a new and very interesting experience, even if it did not
turn out a remunerative one.

After paying my expenses in Christchurch, I possessed about L50 in cash
and a valuable and well-bred mare. Smith's possessions were about on an
equivalent. We decided to travel with one pack horse, and for this
purpose we purchased between us for L15, a notorious buckjumper, called
"Jack the Devil," and if ever deformity of temper and the lowest vice
were depicted in an animal's face and bearing, this beast possessed them
in an eminent degree. Although small and not beautiful to look at, he
was very powerful, and had he been less vicious his price would have