d
kept clear a passage between the huts, and for fifty yards on one side
to the creek, where through a hole in the ice we drew water for daily
use. Fortunately we had abundance of food and a mob of sheep had
previously been driven into one of the paddocks to be retained in case
of emergency. The confined life was trying. We read, played cards,
practised daily with the boxing gloves, and missed sorely the outdoor
exercise. One day, however, we had a benefit of the latter which was a
new experience to all of us.

The overseer was getting anxious about the sheep. Once or twice distant
bleating had been heard, but for some days it had ceased, and as he
wished to satisfy himself of the safety of his flocks, we decided to
make a party and go in search of them.

When last seen, before the heavy snow began to fall, the flocks of ewes
and lambs were two miles from the homestead on the lea of the great spur
forming the north extremity of the run, and it was in this direction the
bleating was heard.

We arranged our party as follows: Cook, Brabazon, and I, with two
station hands, were to start early the following morning, while two men
remained at the huts to be on the look out for us, and if we were late
in returning they had orders to follow up in our snow trail and meet us.

We each dressed as lightly as possible, and provided ourselves with
stout pine staffs to assist us in climbing and feeling our way over
dangerous localities. Each of us carried a parcel of bread and meat, and
a small flask of spirits was taken for use only in case of urgent
necessity.

An expedition of this kind is always attended with danger. Travelling
through deep snow is exceedingly tiring, and the glare and glistening
from its surface tends to induce sleepiness. Many a man has lost his
life from these causes combined when but a short distance from safety.

[Illustration: SEEKING SHEEP IN THE SNOW.]

We started in Indian file, the foremost man breaking the snow and the
others placing their feet in his tracks. When the leader, whose work was
naturally the heaviest, got tired, he stepped aside, and the next in
file took up the breaking, while the former fell into the rear of all,
which is, of course, the easiest.

Proceeding thus, we went on steadily for some hours, our route being by
no means straight, as we had to utilise our knowledge of the ground and
avoid dangerous and suspicious places. The aspect of a piece of country
considerably change