e of the downs approached by a
cutting from the flat, and was most comfortably situated and well
sheltered, as it needed to be, the weather being often exceedingly
severe in that elevated locality.

Butler was a literary man, and his snug sitting-room was fitted with
books and easy chairs--a piano also, upon which he was no mean
performer.

The station hands comprised a shepherd, bullock driver, hutkeeper, and
two station hands employed in fencing in paddocks, which with Cook, the
overseer, Butler, and myself made up the total.

At daybreak we all assembled in the common kitchen for breakfast, after
which we separated for our different employments.

At 12 noon we met again for dinner, and again about 7 p.m. for supper,
which meal being over, Butler, Cook, and I would repair to the sitting
room, and round a glorious fire smoked or read or listened to Butler's
piano. It was the most civilised experience I had had of up-country life
since I left Highfield and was very enjoyable. I did not, however,
remain very long at Mesopotamia at that time.

There was a proposal on foot to improve the track leading from the
Ashburton to the Rangitata on which some heavy cuttings were required to
be made. I applied for the contract and obtained it at rates which paid
me very well. My supervisor was a man called Denny, who had been a
sailor, and I knew him to be a capable and handy fellow, as most sailors
are. He was quite illiterate--could not even read or write, but he was
clever and intelligent and had seen a great deal of colonial life and
some hard times. Every night when supper was over and we sat by the fire
in our little hut, I read aloud, to his great delectation, and his
remarks, pert questions, and wonderful memory were remarkable.

This work paid well, and I was soon in a position to make my first
investment of L100 in sheep, which I placed on terms on Butler's run. To
explain this transaction: I purchased one hundred two tooth ewes at a
pound each, upon these I was to receive 45 per cent. increase yearly in
lambs, half male and half female, and a similar rate of percentage of
course on the female increase as they attained to breeding age. In
addition I was to receive L12 10s. per hundred sheep for wool annually.
It was a good commencement, and I decided to stick to contract work if
possible, and increase my stock till I had sufficient to enable me to
obtain a small partnership on a run.

Just at this time there arrive