making a start, when a woman appeared on the scene. “Don’t let the gentleman go on such a night as this, John,” said she, “he is sure to lose his way, and will be out on the plains all night; let him stay here and we will make him as comfortable as we can.” “All right,” said the man, “I’m quite willing; jump off the horse, sir, and I’ll put the hobbles on him.” I did so, and went into the hut, which was small, but neat and tidy. The woman bustled about to get me something to eat, and in a few minutes I was seated before a nice cold beefsteak-pie, and didn’t I enjoy it. She apologised for such poor fare, but I couldn’t have asked for anything better, and told her so. About two hours afterwards, tea was ready, and I sat down with them. I had a revolver with me; the children had not seen one before, and were very anxious for me to fire it off, which I promised to do next morning, but did not, and for a very good reason—I had no ammunition. I was cogitating in my mind what I could give these people for their kindness to me. I did not like to offer them money, when all at once I remembered my purchase at Eden—the woollen jacket. Capital idea. I took it out of my saddle-bag and presented it to the eldest boy, a lad about sixteen or seventeen; they were all delighted with it; just the thing he wanted. After tea a dirty pack of cards were brought out. I played “all fours” with the youngsters, then showed them some tricks, which astonished them not a little. Before bedtime I had become quite one of themselves. I had a most comfortable bed made up on a sort of bush sofa, nice clean sheets, pillow case, &c. The boys of the family slept on the floor of the room I was in, and the girls in that occupied by the father and mother; in fact I had a capital night’s rest, and was on the road next morning by eight o’clock. My journey lay across stony plains. I paced slowly along till mid-day, when I got to the Wool Pack Inn, where I fed my horse, had a bit to eat myself, and rested for an hour; then made a fresh start. About six o’clock I reached H———’s station, Woolway. The owner of this station I found was member for the Monaro district. I rode up to the house—a nice, comfortable-looking building. A man came out to meet me. I asked if Mr. H——— was at home. He replied, “No; he is in Sydney attending the sessions.” He took my horse and asked me to walk into the house. I did so. A female servant came in, lit a fire, and bustled about to get me some tea. I found myself in most comfortable quarters. The servant came in and informed me there was no one at home, that Mrs. H——— had accompanied her husband to Sydney, and that Mr. K———, the overseer, was at Twofold Bay. She showed me into a bedroom, saying, “This will be your room.” I had a wash, by which time tea was ready. I sat down alone to quite a sumptuous repast, but I had scarcely commenced when Mr. K———, the overseer, put in an appearance. He had just come up from Twofold Bay,
