ifso，persevereasbefore，andinabouttenminutesasinglesheepwillbeseeneyeingtheoppositebank，andevidentlymeditatinganattempttogainit。Pauseamomentthatyouinterruptnotaconsummationsodevoutlytobewished;thesheepboundsforwardwiththreeorfourjumpsintomidstream，iscarrieddown，andthenceontotheoppositebank;
immediatelythatonesheephasentered，letonemangetintotheriverbelowthem，andsplashwaterupatthemtokeepthemfromworkinglowerandlowerdownthestreamandgettingintoabadplace;letanotherbebringinguptheremainderofthemob，sothattheymayhavecomeupbeforethewholeoftheleadingbodyareover;ifthisbedonetheywillcrossinastringoftheirownaccord，andtherewillbenomoretroublefromthemomentwhenthefirstsheepenteredthewater。
Ifthesheepareobstinateandwillnottakethewater，itisagoodplantohauloneortwooverfirst，pullingthemthroughbythenearhindleg;thesewilloftenenticetheothers，orafewlambswillencouragetheirmotherstocomeovertothem，unlessindeedtheyimmediatelyswimbacktotheirmothers：thefirstwastheplanweadopted。
AsIsaid，oursheepweregotacrossthefirsttwostreamswithoutmuchdifficulty;thentheybecamecompletelysilly。Theawfulwind，sohighthatwecouldscarcelyhearourselvestalk，theblindingsand，thecoldglacierwater，renderedmorechillingbythestrongwind，which，contrarytocustom，wasverycold，allcombinedtomakethemquitestupid;thelittlelambsstuckuptheirbacksandshuttheireyesandlookedveryshakyontheirlegs，whilethebiggeronesandtheeweswoulddonothingbutturnroundandstareatus。Ourdogsknocked-upcompletely，andweourselvesweresomewhattiredandhungry，partlyfromnight-watchingandpartlyfromhavingfastedsinceearlydawn，whereasitwasnowfouro’clock。Stillwemustgetthesheepoversomehow，foraheavyfreshwasevidentlyabouttocomedown;theriverwasyetlow，andcouldwegetthemoverbeforedarktheywouldbeathome。Irodehometofetchassistanceandfood;thesearriving，byourunitedeffortswegotthemovereverystream，savethelast，beforeeighto’clock，andthenitbecamequitedark，andweleftthem。Thewindchangedfromverycoldtoveryhot——itliterallyblewhotandcoldinthesamebreath。
Raincamedownintorrents，sixclapsofthunder（thunderisveryrarehere）followedinsuccessionaboutmidnight，andveryuneasyweallwere。Nextmorning，beforedaybreak，wewerebytheriverside;thefreshhadcomedown，andwecrossedovertothesheepwithdifficulty，findingthemuptotheirbelliesinwaterhuddledupinamobtogether。
Weshiftedthemontooneofthenumerousislands，wheretheyweresecure，andhadplentyoffeed，andwithgreatdifficultyrecrossed，theriverhavinggreatlyrisensincewehadgotuponitsbed。Intwodays’
timeithadgonedownsufficientlytoallowofourgettingthesheepover，andwedidsowithoutthelossofasingleone。
IhardlyknowwhyIhaveintroducedthisintoanaccountofatripwithabullockdray;itis，however，acolonialincident，suchasmighthappenanyday。Inalifeofcontinualexcitementonethinksverylittleofthesethings。Theymay，however，servetogiveEnglishreadersaglimpseofsomeofthenumerousincidentswhich，constantlyoccurringinoneshapeorother，renderthelifeofacolonistnotonlyendurable，butactuallypleasant。
CHAPTERIX
PlantsofCanterbury——Turnip——Tutu——Ferns——TiPalm——Birds——ParadiseDuck——Tern——Quail——WoodHen——Robin——Linnet——Pigeon——Moa——NewParroquet——
Quadrupeds——Eels——Insects——Weta——Lizards。
Thefloraofthisprovinceisverydisappointing，andtheabsenceofbeautifulflowersaddstotheuninterestingcharacterwhichtoogenerallypervadesthescenery，saveamongthegreatSouthernAlpsthemselves。ThereisnoburstofbloomasthereisinSwitzerlandandItaly，andthetreesbeing，withfewinsignificantexceptions，allevergreen，thedifferencebetweenwinterandsummerischieflyperceptiblebythestateofthegrassandthetemperature。Idonotknowonereallyprettyflowerwhichbelongstotheplains;Ibelievethereareoneortwo，buttheyarerare，andformnofeatureinthelandscape。Ineveryetsawablueflowergrowingwildhere，norindeedoneofanyothercolourbutwhiteoryellow;iftherearesuchtheydonotprevail，andtheirabsenceissensiblyfelt。Wehavenosoldanellasandauriculas，andAlpinecowslips，nobrilliantgentiansandanemones。
Wehaveoneverystupidwhitegentian;butitis，tosaytheleastofit，uninterestingtoacasualobserver。Wehaveviolets，verylikethoseathome，buttheyaresmallandwhite，andhavenoscent。Wehavealsoadaisy，veryliketheEnglish，butnotnearlysopretty;wehaveagreatuglysortofMichaelmasdaisytoo，andanyamountofspaniard。I
donotsaybutthatbyhuntingonthepeninsula，onemightfindoneortwobeautifulspecies，butsimplythatonthewholetheflowersarefewandugly。TheonlyplantgoodtoeatisMaoricabbage，andthatisswedeturnipgonewild，fromseedleftbyCaptainCook。Somesayitisindigenous，butIdonotbelieveit。TheMaoriscarrytheseedaboutwiththem，andsowitwherevertheycamp。Ishouldratherwrite，USED
tosowitwheretheyCAMPED，fortheMaorisinthisislandarealmostathingofthepast。
Therootofthespaniard，itshouldbeadded，willsupportlifeforsomelittletime。
Tutu（pronouncedtoot）isaplantwhichaboundsupontheplainsforsomefewmilesneartheriver-beds;itisatfirstsightnotmuchunlikemyrtle，butisinrealityawhollydifferentsortofplant;itdiesdowninthewinter，andspringsupagainfromitsoldroots。Theserootsaresometimesusedforfirewood，andareverytough，somuchsoasnotunfrequentlytobreakploughs。Itispoisonousforsheepandcattleifeatenonanemptystomach。
NewZealandisrichinferns。Wehaveatree-fernwhichgrowsashighastwentyfeet。WehavealsosomeoftheEnglishspecies;amongthemI
believetheHymenophyllumTunbridgense，withmanyofthesametribe。I
seealittlefernwhich，tomyeyes，isourEnglishAspleniumTrichomanes。EveryEnglishfernwhichIknowhasavarietysomethinglikeithere，thoughseldomidentical。Wehaveonetocorrespondwiththeadder’stongueandmoonwort，withtheAdiantumnigrumandCapillusVeneris，withtheBlechnumboreale，withtheCeterachandRutamuraria，andwiththeCystopterids。IneversawaWoodsiahere;butIthinkthateveryotherEnglishfamilyisrepresented，andthatwehavemanymorebesides。Onthewhole，theBritishcharacterofmanyofthefernsisratherstriking，asindeedisthecasewithourbirdsandinsects;but，withafewconspicuousexceptions，theoldcountryhasgreatlytheadvantageoverus。
Thecabbage-treeortipalmisnotatruepalm，thoughitlookslikeone。Ithasnottheleastresemblancetoacabbage。Ithasatuftofgreenleaves，whichareratherpalmy-lookingatadistance，andwhichspringsfromthetopofapithy，worthlessstem，varyingfromonetotwentyorthirtyfeetinheight。Sometimesthestemisbranchedatthetop，andeachbranchendsinatuft。Theflaxandthecabbage-treeandthetussock-grassarethegreatbotanicalfeaturesofthecountry。Addfernandtutu，andforthebackcountry，spear-grassandIrishman，andwehavesummedupsuchprevalentplantsasstriketheeye。
Asforthebirds，theyappearatfirstsightveryfewindeed。Ontheplainsoneseesalittlelarkwithtwowhitefeathersinthetail，andinotherrespectsexactlyliketheEnglishskylark，savethathedoesnotsoar，andhasonlyalittlechirrupinsteadofsong。Therearealsoparadiseducks，hawks，terns，red-bills，andsand-pipers，seagulls，andoccasionally，thoughveryrarely，aquail。
Theparadiseduckisaverybeautifulbird。Themaleappearsblack，withwhiteonthewing，whenflying：whenontheground，however，heshowssomedarkgreysandglossygreensandrussets，whichmakehimveryhandsome。Heistrulyagoose，andnotaduck。Hesays\"whiz\"throughhisthroat，anddwellsalongtimeuponthe\"z。\"Heisaboutthesizeofafarmyardduck。Theplumageofthefemaleisreallygorgeous。Herheadispurewhite，andherbodybeautifullycolouredwithgreensandrussetsandwhite。Shescreams，anddoesnotsay\"whiz。\"Hermateismuchfonderofherthansheisofhim，forifsheiswoundedhewillcometoseewhatisthematter，whereasifheishurthisbasepartnerfliesinstantlyoffandseeksnewwedlock，affordingafreshexampleofthesuperiorfidelityofthemaletothefemalesex。Whentheyhaveyoung，theyfeignlameness，liketheplover。Ihaveseveraltimesbeenthustrickedbythem。Onesoon，however，becomesanoldbirdoneself，andisnottobecaughtwithsuchchaffanymore。Welookaboutfortheyoungones，clipoffthetopjointofonewing，andleavethem;thus，inafewmonths’time，wecangetprimeyoungducksfortherunningafterthem。Theoldbirdsareverybadeating。Iratherbelievetheyareawareofthis，fortheyareverybold，andcomeveryclosetous。Therearetwothatconstantlycomewithintenyardsofmyhut，andIhopemeantobuildintheneighbourhood，fortheeggsareexcellent。Beinggeese，andnotducks，theyeatgrass。Theyoungbirdsarecalledflapperstilltheycanfly，andcanberundowneasily。
Thehawkissimplyalargehawk，andtotheunscientificnothingmore。
Thereisasmallsparrow-hawk，too，whichisverybold，andwhichwillattackamanifhegoesnearitsnest。
Theternisabeautifullittlebirdabouttwiceasbigasaswallow，andsomewhatresemblingitinitsflight，butmuchmoregraceful。Ithasablacksatinhead，andlavendersatinandwhiteovertherestofitsbody。Ithasanorangebillandfeet;andisnotseen4inthebackcountryduringthewinter。
Thered-billis，Ibelieve，identicalwiththeoyster-catcheroftheCornishcoast。Ithasalongorangebill，andorangefeet，andisblackandwhiteoverthebody。
Thesand-piperisverylikethelarkinplumage。
Thequailisnearlyexterminated。Itisexactlylikeasmallpartridge，andismostexcellenteating。Tenyearsagoitwasveryabundant，butnowitisveryrarelyseen。Thepoorlittlethingisentirelydefenceless;itcannottakemorethanthreeflights，andthenitisdoneup。Somesaythefireshavedestroyedthem;somesaythesheephavetrodontheireggs;somethattheyhaveallbeenhunteddown：myownopinionisthatthewildcats，whichhaveincreasedsoastobeverynumerous，havedriventhelittlecreaturesnearlyoffthefaceoftheearth。
Therearewoodhensalsoontheplains;but，thoughveryabundant，theyarenotmuchseen。Thewoodhenisabirdratherresemblingthepheasanttribeinplumage，butnotsohandsome。Ithasalong，sharpbillandlongfeet。Itisaboutthesizeofahen。Itcannotfly，butsticksitslittlebob-tailupanddownwheneveritwalks，andhasacuriousPaul-Pry-likegait，whichisratheramusing。Itisexceedinglybold，andwillcomesometimesrightintoahouse。Itisanarrantthief，moreover，andwillstealanything。Iknowofacaseinwhichonewasseentotakeupagoldwatch，andrunoffwithit，andofanotherinwhichanumberofmen，whowerecampingout，lefttheirpannikinsatthecamp，andontheirreturnfoundthemallgone，andonlyrecoveredthembyhearingthewoodhenstappingtheirbillsagainstthem。Anythingbrightexcitestheirgreed;anythingred，theirindignation。Theyarereckonedgoodeatingbysome;butmostpeoplethinkthemexceedinglyrankandunpleasant。Fromfatwoodhensagooddealofoilcanbegot，andthisoilisveryvaluableforalmostanythingwhereoiliswanted。
Itissovereignforrheumatics，andwoundsorbruises;itemforsofteningone’sboots，andsoforth。Theeggisaboutthesizeofaguineafowl’s，dirtilystreaked，andspottedwithaduskypurple;itisoneofthebesteatingeggsIhaveevertasted。
Imustnotomittomentionthewhitecrane，averybeautifulbird，withimmensewings，ofthepurestwhite;andtheswamphen，withatailwhichitisconstantlybobbingupanddownlikethewoodhen;ithasagooddealofbluishpurpleaboutit，andisveryhandsome。
Thereareotherbirdsontheplains，especiallyabouttheriver-beds，butnotmanyworthyofnotice。
Inthebackcountry，however，wehaveaconsiderablevariety。Ihavementionedthekakaandtheparroquet。
Therobinisaprettylittlefellow，inbuildandmannersverylikeourEnglishrobin，buttamer。Hisplumage，however，isdifferent，forhehasaduskyblacktailcoatandapalecanary-colouredwaistcoat。Whenoneiscampingout，nosoonerhasonelitone’sfirethanseveralrobinsmaketheirappearance，pryingintoone’swholeproceedingswithtruerobin-likeimpudence。Theyhaveneverprobablyseenafirebefore，andareratherpuzzledbyit。Iheardofonewhichfirstlightedontheembers，whichwerecoveredwithashes;findingthisunpleasant，hehoppedontoaburningtwig;thiswasworse，sothethirdtimehelightedonared-hotcoal;whereat，muchdisgusted，hetookhimselfoff，Ihopeescapingwithnothingbutablisteredtoe。Theyfrequentlycomeintomyhut。Iwatchedonehopinafewmorningsago，whenthebreakfastthingswereset。Firsthetriedthebread——thatwasgood;
thenhetriedthesugar——thatwasgoodalso;thenhetriedthesalt，whichheinstantlyrejected;and，lastly，hetriedacupofhottea，onwhichheflewaway。Ihaveseenthemlightonacandle（notalightedone）andpeckthetallow。Ifear，however，thatthesetameonesaretoooftenkilledbythecats。ThetomtitislikeitsEnglishnamesakeinshape，butsmaller，andwithaglossyblackheadandbrightyellowbreast。
Thewrenisabeautifullittlebird，muchsmallerthantheEnglishone，andwithgreenaboutitsplumage。
Thetuiorparson-birdisastarling，andhasasmalltuftofwhitecravat-likefeathersgrowingfromhisthroat。Truetohisstarlingnature，hehasadeliciousvoice。
Wehaveathrush，butitisratherrare。ItisjustliketheEnglish，savethatithassomeredfeathersinitstail。
Ourtealis，ifnotthesameastheEnglishteal，solikeit，thatthedifferenceisnotnoticeable。
OurlinnetisalittlelargerthantheEnglish，withaclear，bell-likevoice，asofablacksmith’shammeronananvil。Indeed，wemightcallhimtheharmoniousblacksmith。
ThepigeonislargerthantheEnglish，andfarhandsomer。Hehasmuchwhiteandglossygreenshotwithpurpleabouthim，andisoneofthemostbeautifulbirdsIeversaw。Heisveryfoolish，andcanbenoosedwithease。Tieastringwithanooseattheendofittoalongstick，andyoumayputitroundhisneckandcatchhim。Thekakas，too，willletyoudothis，andinafewdaysbecomequitetame。
Besidesthese，thereisanowlortwo。Theseareheardoccasionally，butnotseen。Oftenatnightonehearsasolemncryof\"Morepork！morepork！morepork！\"Ihaveheardpeopletalk，too，ofalaughingjackass（nottheAustralianbirdofthatname），butnoonehaseverseenit。
Occasionallywehearrumoursofthefootprintofamoa，andtheNelsonsurveyorsfoundfreshfoot-tracksofabird，whichweremeasuredforfourteeninches。Ofthistherecanbelittledoubt;butsinceawoodhen’sfootmeasuresfourinches，andawoodhendoesnotstandhigherthanahen，fourteeninchesishardlylongenoughforthetrackofamoa，thelargestkindofwhichstoodfifteenfeethigh。Weoftenfindsomeoftheirboneslyinginaheapupontheground，butneveraperfectskeleton。Littleheapsoftheirgizzardstones，too，areconstantlyfound。Theyconsistofverysmoothandpolishedflintsandcornelians，withsometimesquartz。Thebirdgenerallychoseratherprettystones。
Idonotrememberfindingasinglesandstonespecimenofamoagizzardstone。Thoseheapsareeasilydistinguished，andverycommon。Fewpeoplebelieveintheexistenceofamoa。Ifoneortwobeyetliving，theywillprobablybefoundontheWestCoast，thatyetunexploredregionofforestwhichmaycontainsleepingprincessesandgoldintonblocks，andallsortsofgoodthings。AgentlemanwholivesattheKiakoraspossessesamoa’segg;itisteninchesbyseven。ItwasdiscoveredinaMaorigrave，andmusthavebeenconsideredpreciousatthetimeitwasburied，fortheMaoriswereaccustomedtoburyaman’svaluableswithhim。
Ireallyknowoffewotherbirdstotellyouabout。Thereisagoodsprinklingmore，buttheyformnofeatureinthecountry，andareonlyinterestingtothenaturalist。Thereisthekiwi，orapteryx，whichisaboutaslargeasaturkey，butonlyfoundontheWestCoast。Thereisagreengroundparrottoo，calledthekakapo，anightbird，andhardlyeverfoundontheeasternsideoftheisland。Thereisalsoaveryrareandasyetunnamedkindofkaka，muchlargerandhandsomerthanthekakaitself，ofwhichIandanothershotoneofthefirst，ifnottheveryfirst，observedspecimen。Beinghungry，farfromhome，andwithoutmeat，weatetheinterestingcreature，butmadeanoteofitforthebenefitofscience。Sincethenithasfounditswayintomoreworthyhands，andwas，afewmonthsago，senthometobenamed。Altogether，I
amacquaintedwithaboutseventyspeciesofbirdsbelongingtotheCanterburysettlement，andIdonotthinkthattherearemanymore。Twoalbatrossescametomywool-shedaboutsevenmonthsago，andadeadonewasfoundatMountPeelnotlongsince。Ididnotseetheformermyself，butmycook，whowasasailor，watchedthemforsometime，andhiswordmaybetaken。Ibelieve，however，thattheircomingsofarinlandisaveryrareoccurrencehere。
AsforthequadrupedsofNewZealand，theyareeasilydisposedof。
Therearebuttwo，akindofrat，whichisnowbanishedbytheNorwayrat，andananimalofeithertheotterorbeaverspecies，whichisknownratherbyrumourthanbyactualcertainty。
Thefishes，too，willgiveuslittletrouble。Thereareonlyasortofminnowandaneel。Thislastgrowstoagreatsize，andisabundantevenintheclear，rapid，snow-fedrivers。Ineverycreekonemaycatcheels，andtheyareexcellenteating，iftheybecookedinsuchamannerastogetridoftheoil。
Trythemspitchcockedorstewed，They’retoooilywhenfried，asBarhamsays，withhisusualgoodsense。IamtoldthattheothernightagreatnoisewasheardinthekitchenofagentlemanwithwhomI
havethehonourtobeacquainted，andthattheservants，gettingup，foundaneelchasingacatroundabouttheroom。Ibelievethisstory。
Theeelwasinabucketofwater，anddoomedtodieuponthemorrow。
Doubtlessthecathadattemptedtotakelibertieswithhim;onwhichasuddenthoughtstrucktheeelthathemightaswelleatthecatasthecateathim;andhewaspreparingtosuittheactiontothewordwhenhewasdiscovered。
Theinsectsareinsignificantandugly，and，liketheplants，devoidofgeneralinterest。Thereisoneratherprettybutterfly，likeourEnglishtortoiseshell。Thereisasprinklingofbeetles，afewants，andadetestablesandfly，that，onquiet，cloudymornings，especiallynearwater，ismoreirritatingthancanbedescribed。Thislittlebeastisrathervenomous;and，forthefirstfortnightorsothatIwasbittenbyit，everybiteswelleduptoalittlehardbutton。Soon，however，onebecomescase-hardened，andonlysufferstheimmediateannoyanceconsequentuponitsticklingandpricking。Thereisalsoalargeassortmentofspiders。Wehave，too，oneoftheugliest-lookingcreaturesthatIhaveeverseen。Itiscalled\"weta，\"andisoftawnyscorpion-likecolourwithlongantennaeandgreateyes，andnastysquashy-lookingbody，with（Ithink）sixlegs。Itisakindofanimalwhichnoonewouldwishtotouch：iftouched，itwillbitesharply，somesayvenomously。Itisverycommon，butnotoftenseen，andliveschieflyamongdeadwoodandunderstones。IntheNorthIsland，Iamtoldthatitgrowstothelengthofthreeorfourinches。HereIneversawitlongerthananinchandahalf。Theprincipalreptileisanalmostubiquitouslizard。
Summingup，then，thewholeofthevegetableandanimalproductionsofthissettlement，Ithinkthatitisnottoomuchtosaythattheyaredecidedlyinferiorinbeautyandinteresttothoseoftheoldworld。
YouwillthinkthatIhaveaprejudiceagainstthenaturalhistoryofCanterbury。IassureyouIhavenosuchthing;andIbelievethatanyone，onarrivinghere，wouldreceiveasimilarimpressionwithmyself。
CHAPTERX
ChoiceofaRun——Boundaries——Maoris——Wages——Servants——Drunkenness——
Cooking——Wethers——ChoiceofHomestead——Watchfulnessrequired——BurningtheCountry——YardsforSheep——EwesandLambs——LambingSeason——WoolSheds——SheepWashing——PuttingupaHut——Gardens——Farewell。
Inlookingforarun，somedistancemustbetraversed;thecountrynearChristChurchisalreadystocked。Thewastelandsare，indeed，saidtobewhollytakenupthroughoutthecolony，wherevertheyarecapableofsupportingsheep。Itmay，however，beamatterofsomesatisfactiontoanewsettlertoexaminethispointforhimself，andtoconsiderwhatherequiresintheprobableeventofhavingtopurchasethegoodwillofarun，withtheimprovementsuponit，whichcanhardlybeobtainedunder150poundsper1000acres。
Ariverboundaryismostdesirable;thepointaboveorbelowtheconfluenceoftworiversisstillbetter，astherearethenonlytwosidestoguard。Stonygroundmustnotbeconsideredasanimpediment;
grassgrowsbetweenthestones，andadraycantraveluponit。Englandmusthavebeenamostimpracticablecountrytotraversebeforemetalledroadsweremade。Herethesurfaceisalmosteverywhereacompactmassofshingle;itisforthemostpartonlyneartheseathattheshingleiscoveredwithsoil。Forestandswamparemuchgreaterimpedimentstoajourneythanafargreaterdistanceofhardgroundwouldprove。A
riversuchastheCamorOusewouldbefarmoredifficulttocrosswithoutbridgesthantheRakaiaorRangitata，notwithstandingtheirvolumeandrapidity;theformeraredeepinmud，andrarelyhaveconvenientplacesatwhichtogetinorout;whilethelatteraboundinthem，andhaveastonybedonwhichthewheelsofyourdraymakenoimpression。Thestonygroundwillcarryasheeptoeachacreandahalfortwoacres。Suchdiseasesasfoot-rotareunknown，owingprobablytothegenerallydrysurfaceoftheland。
TherearefewMaorishere;theyinhabitthenorthisland，andareonlyinsmallnumbers，anddegenerateinthis，somaybepassedoverunnoticed。Theonlyeffectualpolicyindealingwiththemistoshowaboldfront，and，atthesametime，dothemagoodturnwheneveryoucanbequitecertainthatyourkindnesswillnotbemisunderstoodasasymptomoffear。Therearenowildanimalsthatwillmolestyoursheep。
InAustraliatheyhavetowatchtheflocksnightanddaybecauseofthewilddogs。Theyards，ofcourse，arenotproofagainstdogs，andtheAustralianshepherd’shutisbuiltcloseagainsttheyard;herethisisunnecessary。
Havingsettledthatyouwilltakeupyourcountryorpurchasetheleaseofit，youmustconsidernexthowtogetadrayontoit。Horsesarenottobethoughtofexceptforriding;youmustbuyadrayandbullocks。Theriversherearenotnavigable。
Wagesarehigh。PeopledonotleaveEnglandandgotoliveattheantipodestoworkforthesamewageswhichtheyhadathome。Theywanttobetterthemselvesaswellasyoudo，and，thesupplybeinglimited，theywillaskandgetfrom1poundto30s。aweekbesidestheirboardandbillet。
Youmustrememberyouwillhavearoughlifeatfirst;therewillbeagooddealofcoldandexposure;agooddealoftentwork;possiblyafeverortwo;tosaynothingoftheseedsofrheumatismwhichwillgiveyousomethingtomeditateuponhereafter。
YouandyourmenwillhavetobeonratheradifferentfootingfromthatonwhichyoustoodinEngland。There，ifyourservantwereinanyrespectwhatyoudidnotwish，youwerecertainofgettingplentyofotherstotakehisplace。Here，ifamandoesnotfindyouquitewhathewishes，heiscertainofgettingplentyofotherstoemployhim。Infact，heisatapremium，andsoonfindsthisout。Onreallygoodmenthisproducesnoothereffectthanademandforhighwages。Theywillberespectfulandcivil，thoughtherewillbeaslightbutquiteunobjectionabledifferenceintheirmannertowardyou。Badmenassumeanairofdefiancewhichrenderstheirimmediatedismissalamatterofnecessity。Whenyouhavegoodmen，however，youmustrecognisethedifferentpositioninwhichyoustandtowardthemascomparedwiththatwhichsubsistedathome。Thefactis，theyaremoreyourequalsandmoreindependentofyou，and，thisbeingthecase，youmusttreatthemaccordingly。Idonotadviseyouforonemomenttosubmittodisrespect;thiswouldbeafatalerror。AmanwhoseconductdoesnotsatisfyyoumustbesentabouthisbusinessascertainlyasinEngland;
butwhenyouhavemenwhoDOsuityou，youmust，besidespayingthemhandsomely，expectthemtotreatyouratherasanEnglishyeomanwouldspeaktothesquireofhisparishthanasanEnglishlabourerwouldspeaktohim。Thelabourmarketswillnotbesobadbutthatgoodmencanbehad，andaslongasyouputupwithbadmenitservesyourighttobetheloserbyyourweakness。
Somegoodhandsareveryimprovident，andwillforthemostpartspendtheirmoneyindrinking，averyshorttimeaftertheyhaveearnedit。
TheywillcomebackpossiblywithaDEADHORSETOWORKOFF——thatis，adebtattheaccommodationhouse——andwillworkhardforanotheryeartohaveanotherdrinkingboutattheendofit。Thisisathingfatallycommonhere。Suchmenareoftenfirst-ratehandsandthoroughlygoodfellowswhenawayfromdrink;but，onthewhole，savingmenareperhapsthebest。Commendyourselftoagoodscrewforashepherd;ifheknowsthevalueofmoneyheknowsthevalueoflambs，andifhehascontractedthehabitofbeingcarefulwithhisownmoneyhewillbeapttobesowithyoursalso。Butinjusticetotheimprovident，itmustbeownedtheyareoftenadmirablemensaveintheonepointofsobriety。
Theirpoliticalknowledgeisabsolutelynil，and，werethecolonytogivethempoliticalpower，itmightaswellgivegunpowdertochildren。
Howmanyhandsshallyouwant？
Wewillsayacoupleofgoodbushhands，whowillputupyourhutandyardsandwool-shed。Ifyouareinahurryandhaveplentyofmoneyyoucanhavemore。Besidestheseyouwillwantabullockdriverandshepherd，unlessyouareshepherdyourself。Youmustmanagethecookingamongyouasbestyoucan，andmustbecontenttowashupyourself，takingyourfullpartintheculinaryprocesses，oryouwillsoonfinddisaffectioninthecamp;butifyoucanaffordtohaveacook，haveonebyallmeans。Itisagreatnuisancetocomeinfromalongroundaftersheepandfindthefireoutandnohotwatertomaketea，andtohavetosettoworkimmediatelytogetyourmen’ssupper;fortheycannotearntheirsupperandcookitatthesametime。Thedifficultyisthatgoodboysarehardtoget，andamanthatisworthanythingatallwillhardlytaketocookingasaprofession。Henceitcomestopassthatthecooksaregenerallyindolentanddirtyfellows，whodon’tlikehardwork。Yourcollegeeducation，ifyouhavehadone，willdoubtlesshavemadeyoufamiliarwiththeartofmakingbread;youwillnowproceedtodiscoverthemysteriesofboilingpotatoes。Theusesofdrippingwillbegintodawnuponyou，andyouwillsoonbecomeexpertinthemanufactureoftallowcandles。Youwillwashyourownclothes，andwilllearnthatyoumustnotboilflannelshirts，andexperiencewillteachyouthatyoumusteschewthepromiscuoususeofwashingsoda，temptingthoughindeeditbeifyouareinahurry。Ifyouusecollars，IcaninformyouthatGlenfieldstarchistheonlystarchusedinthelaundriesofourmostgraciousSovereign;Itellyouthisinconfidence，asitisnotgenerallyadvertised。
Toreturntotheculinarydepartment。Yournaturalpoetryofpalatewillteachyouthepropertreatmentoftheonion，andyouwillerelongbeabletohandlethatinestimablevegetablewiththebreadthyetdelicacywhichitrequires。Manyotherthingsyouwilllearn，whichforyoursakeaswellasmyownIwillnotenumeratehere。Lettheabovesufficeforexamples。
Atfirstyourwetherswillrunwithyourewes，andyouwillonlywantoneshepherd;butassoonasthemobgetsuptotwoorthreethousandthewethersshouldbekeptseparate;youwillthenwantanothershepherd。Assoonasyouhavesecuredyourrunyoumustbuysheep;
otherwiseyoulosetime，astherunisonlyvaluableforthesheepitcarries。Bringsheep，shepherd，men，stores，allatoneandthesametime。Somewethersmustbeincludedinyourpurchase，otherwiseyouwillrunshortofmeat，asnoneofyourownbreedingwillbereadyfortheknifeforayearandahalf，tosaytheleastofit。Nowethershouldbekilledtillitistwoyearsold，andthenitismurdertokillananimalwhichbringsyouinsuchgoodinterestbyitswool，andwouldevenbebetterifsufferedtolivethreeyearslonger，whenyouwillhavehaditsvalueinitssuccessivefleeces。Itwill，however，payyoubettertoinvestnearlyallyourmoneyinewes，andtokillyourownyoungstock，thantosinkmorecapitalthanisabsolutelynecessaryinwethers。
Startyourdray，then，fromtownandjoinitwithyoursheeponthewayup。Yoursheepwillnottravelmorethantenmilesadayifyouaretodothemjustice;soyourdraymustkeeppacewiththem。Youwillgenerallyfindplentyoffirewoodonthetrack。Youcancampunderthedrayatnight。Inaboutaweekyouwillgetontoyourrun，andverygladyouwillfeelwhenyouaresafelycometotheendofyourjourney。
Seethehorsesproperlylookedtoatonce;thensetupthetent，makeagoodfire，putthekettleon，outwiththefrying-panandgetyoursupper，smokethecalumetofpeace，andgotobed。
Thefirstquestionis，Whereshallyouplaceyourhomestead？Youmustputitinsuchasituationaswillbemostconvenientforworkingthesheep。Thesearetherealmastersoftheplace——therunistheirs，notyours：youcannotbearthisinmindtoodiligently。Allconsiderationsofpleasantnessofsitemustsuccumbtothis。Youmustfixonsuchasituationasnottocutuptherun，bysplittingoffalittlecornertoosmalltogivethesheepfreescopeandroom。Theywillfightrathershyofyourhomestead，youmaybecertain;sothehomesteadmustbeoutoftheirway。YouMUST，however，havewaterandfirewoodathand，whichisagreatconvenience，tosaynothingofthesavingoflabourandexpense。
Therefore，ifyoucanfindabushnearastream，makeyourhomesteadontheleesideofit。Astreamisaboundary，andyourhut，ifbuiltinsuchaposition，willinterferewithyoursheepaslittleaspossible。
Thesheepwillmakeforrisinggroundandhill-sidetocampatnight，andgenerallyfeedwiththeirheadsupthewind，ifitisnottooviolent。Asyourmobincreases，youcanputanout-stationontheothersidetherun。
Inordertopreventthesheepstrayingbeyondyourboundaries，keepeverhoveringatadistanceroundthem，sofaroffthattheyshallnotbedisturbedbyyourpresence，andevenbeignorantthatyouarelookingatthem。Sheepcannotbetoocloselywatched，ortoomuchlefttothemselves。Youmustremembertheyareyourmasters，andnotyoutheirs;youexistforthem，nottheyforyou。Ifyoubearthiswellinmind，youwillbeabletoturnthetablesonthemeffectuallyatshearing-time。Butifyouoncebegintomakethesheepsuittheirfeeding-hourstoyourconvenience，youmayaswellgiveupsheep-farmingatonce。Youwillsoonfindthemobbegintolookpoor，yourpercentageoflambswillfalloff，andinfactyouwillhavetopayveryheavilyforsavingyourowntrouble，asindeedwouldbethecaseineveryoccupationorprofessionyoumightadopt。
Ofcourseyouwillhavetoturnyoursheepbackwhentheyapproachtheboundaryofyourneighbour。Beready，then，attheboundary。Youhavebeenwatchingthemcreepingupinalargesemicircletowardtheforbiddenground。Aslongastheyareontheirownrunletthemalone，givethemnotamoment’sanxietyofmind;butdirectlytheyreachtheboundary，showyourselfwithyourdoginyourmostterrificaspect。
Startlethem，frightenthem，disturbtheirpeace;dosoagainandagain，atthesamespot，fromtheveryfirstday。Letthemalwayshavepeaceontheirownrun，andnoneanywhereoffit。Inamonthortwoyouwillfindthesheepbegintounderstandyourmeaning，anditwillthenbeveryeasyworktokeepthemwithinbounds。If，however，yousufferthemtohavehalfanhournowandthenontheforbiddenterritory，theywillbeconstantlymakingforit。Thechancesarethatthefeedisgoodonorabouttheboundary，andtheywillbeseducedbythistocross，andgoonandontilltheyarequitebeyondyourcontrol。
Youwillhaveburntalargepatchoffeedontheoutset。Burnitinearlyspring，onadaywhenrainappearstobeathand。Itisdangeroustoburntoomuchatonce：alargefiremayrunfartherthanyouwish，and，beingnorespecterofimaginaryboundaries，willcrossontoyourneighbour’srunwithoutcompunctionandwithoutregardtohissheep，andthenheavydamageswillbebroughtagainstyou。Burn，however，youmust;sodoitcarefully。Lightonestripfirst，andkeepputtingitoutbybeatingitwithleafybranches，Thiswillformafireproofboundarybetweenyouandyourneighbour。
Burntfeedmeanscontentedandwell-conditionedsheep。Thedelicatelygreenandjuicygrasswhichspringsupafterburningisfarbetterforsheepthantherankanddrygrowthofsummerafterithasbeenwitheredbythewinter’sfrosts。Yoursheepwillnotramble，foriftheyhaveplentyofburntpasturetheyarecontentedwheretheyare。Theyfeedinthemorning，bunchthemselvestogetherinclustersduringtheheatoftheday，andfeedagainatnight。
Moreover，onburntpasture，nofirecancomedownuponyoufromyourneighboursoastohurtyoursheep。
Thedaywillcomewhenyouwillhavenomoreoccasionforburning，whenyourrunwillbefullystocked，andthesheepwillkeepyourfeedsocloselycroppedthatitwilldowithoutit。Itiscertainlyamortificationtoseevolumesofsmokerisingintotheair，andtoknowthatallthatsmokemighthavebeenwool，andmighthavebeensoldbyyoufor2s。apoundinEngland。Youwillthinkitgreatwaste，andregretthatyouhavenotmoresheeptoeatit。However，thatwillcometopassintime;andmeanwhile，ifyouhavenotmouthsenoughuponyourruntomakewoolofit，youmustburnitoffandmakesmokeofitinstead。Thereissuretobeagooddealofroughscrubandbrushwoodontherun，whichisbetterdestroyed，andwhichsheepwouldnottouch;
therefore，fortheultimatevalueofyourrun，itisaswellorbetterthatitshouldbefiredthanfedoff。
Theveryfirstworktobedoneafteryourarrivalwillbetomakeayardforyoursheep。Makethislargeenoughtoholdfiveorsixtimesasmanysheepasyoupossessatfirst。Itmaybesquareinshape。Placetwogoodlargegatesatthemiddleofeitherofthetwooppositesides。
Thiswillbesufficientatfirst，but，asyourflocksincrease，asomewhatmorecomplicatedarrangementwillbedesirable。
Thesheep，wewillsuppose，aretobethoroughlyoverhauled。Youwish，forsomereason，toinspecttheircasefullyyourself，oryoumusttailyourlambs，inwhichcaseeverylambhastobecaught，andyouwillcutitstailoff，andear-markitwithyourownearmark;or，again，youwillseefittodraftoutallthelambsthatarereadyforweaning;oryoumaywishtocullthemob，andsellofftheworst-woolledsheep;oryourneighbour’ssheepmayhavejoinedwithyours;orformanyotherreasonsitisnecessarythatyourflockshouldbecloselyexamined。Withoutgoodyardsitisimpossibletodothiswell——theyareanessentialofthehighestimportance。
Select，then，asiteasdryandstonyaspossible（foryoursheepwillhavetobeputintotheyardovernight），andatdaylightinthemorningsettowork。
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FilltheyardBwithsheepfromthebigyardA。TheyardBwewillsupposetoholdabout600。FillCfromB：Cshallholdabout100。
WhenthesheepareinthatsmallyardC（whichiscalledthedrafting-
yard），youcanoverhaulthem，andyourmencancatchthelambsandholdthemuptoyouovertherailoftheyardtoear-markandtail。Therebeingbut100sheepintheyard，youcaneasilyrunyoureyeoverthem。
Shouldyoubedraftingoutsheeportakingyourramsout，letthesheepwhichyouaretakingoutbeletintotheyardsDandE。Or，itmaybe，youaredraftingtwodifferentsortsofsheepatonce;thentherewillbetwoyardsinwhichtoputthem。Whenyouhavedonewiththesmallmob，letitoutintotheyardF，takingthetallyofthesheepastheypassthroughthegate。Thisgate，therefore，mustbeasmallone，soasnottoadmitmorethanoneortwoatatime。ItwouldbetediousworkfillingthesmallyardCfromthebigoneA;forinthatlargespacethesheepwillrunabout，anditwilltakeyousomefewminuteseverytime。
FromthesmalleryardB，however，Cwilleasilybefilled。Amongtheothergreatadvantagesofgoodyards，thereisnonegreaterthanthetimesaved。Thisisofthehighestimportance，fortheeweswillbehungry，andtheirlambswillhavesuckedthemdry;andthen，assoonastheyareturnedoutoftheyards，themotherswillraceoffafterfeed，andthelambs，beingweak，willlagbehind;andtheMerinoewebeingabadmother，thetwomaynevermeetagain，andthelambwilldie。
Thereforeitisessentialtobeginworkofthissortearlyinthemorning，andtohaveyardssoconstructedastocauseaslittlelossoftimeaspossible。Iwillnotsaythattheplangivenaboveistheverybestthatcouldbedevised，butitiscommonouthere，andanswersallpracticalpurposes。TheweakestpointisintheapproachtoBfromA。
Assoonasyouhavedonewiththemob，letthemout。Theywillraceoffhelter-skeltertofeed，andsoonbespreadoutinanever-wideningfan-
likeshape。Thereforehavesomeonestationedagoodwayofftochecktheirfirstburst，andstaythemfromgoingtoofarandleavingtheirlambs;afterawhile，asyousit，telescopeinhand，youwillseetheewescomebleatingbacktotheyardsfortheirlambs。Theyhavesatisfiedthefirstcravingsoftheirhunger，andtheirmotherlyfeelingsarebeginningtoreturn。Now，ifthesheephavenotbeenkeptalittletogether，thelambsmayhavegoneoffaftertheewes，andsomefewwillthenbeprettycertainnevertofindtheirmothersagain。Itisratheraprettysighttositonabankandwatchtheewescomingback。Thereissuretobeamobofagoodmanylambsstickingneartheyards，andeweafterewewillcomebackandrushupaffectionatelytoonelambafteranother。Agoodfewwilltrytopalmthemselvesoffuponher。Ifsheisyoungandfoolish，shewillbeforashorttimeindoubt;ifsheisolderandwiser，shewillbuttawaythelittleimpostorswithherhead;buttheyareveryimportunate，andwillsticktoherforalongwhile。Atlast，however，shefindshertruechild，andiscomforted。Shekissesitsnoseandtailwiththemostaffectionatefondness，andsoonthelostlambisseenhelpinghimselflustily，andfrolickingwithhistailintheheightofhiscontentment。
Ihaveknown，however，manycunninglambsmakeapracticeofthievingfromthemoreinexperiencedewes，thoughtheyhavemothersoftheirown;
andIrememberoneverybeautifulandfavouritelambofmine，who，tomygreatsorrow，lostitsmother，butkeptitselfaliveinthismanner，andthroveandgrewuptobeasplendidsheepbymereroguery。Suchacaseisanexception，notarule。
Youmayperhapswonderhowyouaretoknowthatyoursheepareallright，andthatnonegetaway。YoucannotbeQUITECERTAINofthis。
Youmaybeprettysure，however，foryouwillsoonhavealargenumberofsheepwithwhomyouarepersonallyacquainted，andwhohave，fromtimetotime，forcedthemselvesuponyourattentioneitherbypeculiarbeautyorpeculiarugliness，orbyhavingcertainmarksuponthem。Youwillhaveablacksheeportwo，andprobablyalong-tailedoneortwo，andasheepwithonlyoneeye，andanotherwithawartonitsnose，andsoforth。Thesewillbeyourmarkedsheep，andifyoufindallofthemyoumaybesatisfiedthattherestaresafealso。Youreyewillsoonbecomeveryaccurateintellingyouthenumberofamobofsheep。
Whenthesheeparelambingtheyshouldnotbedisturbed。Youcannotmeddlewithamoboflambingeweswithoutdoingthemmischief。Someoneortwolambs，orperhapsmanymore，willbelosteverytimeyoudisturbtheflock。Theyoungsheep，untiltheyhavehadtheirlambsafewdays，andlearnttheirvalue，willleavethemupontheslightestprovocation。
Thenthereisaseriousmoralinjuryinflictedupontheewe：shebecomesfamiliarwiththecrimeofinfanticide，andwillbeapttoleavehernextlambascarelesslyasherfirst。If，however，shehasoncerearedalamb，shewillbefondofthenext，and，whenold，willfaceanything，evenadog，forthesakeofherchild。
When，therefore，thesheeparelambing，youmustrideorwalkfartherround，andnoticeanytracksyoumaysee：anythingratherthandisturbthesheep。Theymustalwayslambonburntorgreenfeed，andagainstthebestboundaryyouhave，andthentherewillbethelessoccasiontotouchthem。
Besidestheyardsabovedescribed，youwillwantoneortwosmalleronesforgettingthesheepintothewool-shedatshearing-time，andyouwillalsowantasmallyardforbranding。Thewool-shedisaroomycoveredbuilding，withalargecentralspace，andanaisle-likepartitiononeachside。Theselastwillbeforholdingthesheepduringthenight。
Theshearerswillwanttobeginwithdaylight，andthedewwillnotyetbeoffthewoolifthesheepareexposed。Ifwoolispackeddampitwillheatandspoil;thereforeasufficientnumberofsheepmustbeleftundercoverthroughthenighttolasttheshearerstillthedewisoff。
Inawool-shedtheaisleswouldbecalledskilions（whencethenameisderivedIknownot，norwhetherithastwol’sinitorone）。Allthesheepgointotheskilions。Theshearersshearinthecentre，whichislargeenoughtoleaveroomforthewooltobestowedawayatoneend。
Theshearerspullthesheepoutoftheskilionsastheywantthem。Eachpickstheworstsheep，i。e。thatwiththeleastwooluponit，thathappenstobeathandatthetime，tryingtoputthebest-woolledsheep，whichareconsequentlythehardesttoshear，uponsomeoneelse;andsotheheaviest-woolledandlargestsheepgetshornthelast。
Agoodmanwillshear100sheepinaday，someevenmore;but100isreckonedgoodwork。Ihaveknown195sheeptobeshornbyonemaninaday;butIfancythesemusthavebeenfromanoldandbaremob，andthatthisnumberofwell-woolledsheepwouldbequitebeyondoneman’spower。
Sheeparenotshornsoneatlyasathome。Butsupposingamanhasamobof20，000，hemustgetthewoolofftheirbacksasbesthecanwithoutcarpingatanoccasionalsnipfromasheep’scarcass。Ifthewoolistakencloseoff，andonlynowandthenasheepsnipped，therewillbenocausetocomplain。
Thenfollowsthedrayingofthewooltoport，andthebullockscomeinfortheirfullshareofwork。Itisapleasantsighttoseethefirstloadofwoolstartdown，butafarpleasantertoseethedrayreturningfromitslasttrip。
Shearingwelloverwillbeaweightoffyourmind。Thisisyourmostespeciallybusyandanxioustimeofyear，andwhenthewoolissafelydownyouwillbegladindeed。
Itmayhavebeenamatterofquestionwithyou，ShallIwashmysheepbeforeshearingornot？Ifyouwashthematall，youshoulddoitthoroughly，andtakeconsiderablepainstohavethemclean;otherwiseyouhadbettershearinthegrease，i。e。notwash。Woolinthegreaseweighsaboutone-thirdheavier，andconsequentlyfetchesalowerpriceinthemarket。Whenwoolfalls，moreover，thefalltellsfirstupongreasywool。Stillmanyshearinthegrease，andsomeconsideritpaysthembettertodoso。Itisamootedpoint，butthegeneralopinionisinfavourofwashing。
Assoonasyouhaveputuponeyard，youmaysettoworkuponahutforyourselfandmen。Thisyouwillmakeofsplitwoodenslabssetuprightintheground，andnailedontoawall-plate。Youwillfirstplantlargepostsateachofthecorners，andoneateithersideeverydoor，andfourforthechimney。Atthetopoftheseyouwillsetyourwall-
plates;tothewall-platesyouwillnailyourslabs;ontheinsideoftheslabsyouwillnaillightrodsofwood，andplasterthemoverwithmud，havingfirst，however，putuptheroofandthatchedit。Threeorfourmenwillhavesplitthestuffandputupthehutinafortnight。
Wewillsupposeittobeabout18feetby12。
Byandby，asyougrowricher，youmayburnbricksatyourleisure，andeventuallybuildabrickhouse。Atfirst，however，youmustroughit。
Youwillsetaboutagardenatonce。Youwillbringupfowlsatonce。
Pigsmaywaittillyouhavetimetoputuparegularstye，andtohavegrownpotatoesenoughtofeedthem。Twofatandwell-tendedpigsareworthhalfadozenhalf-starvedwretches。Suchneglectedbrutesmakeaplacelookveryuntidy，andtheirexistencewillbeaburdentothemselves，andaneyesoretoyou。
Inayearortwoyouwillfindyourselfverycomfortable。Youwillgetalittlefruitfromyourgardeninsummer，andwillhaveaprospectofmuchmore。Youwillhavecows，andplentyofbutterandmilkandeggs;
youwillhavepigs，and，ifyouchooseit，bees，plentyofvegetables，and，infact，mayliveuponthefatoftheland，withverylittletrouble，andalmostaslittleexpense。Ifyougrudgethis，yourfarewillberatherunvaried，andwillconsistsolelyoftea，mutton，bread，andpossiblypotatoes。Forthefirstyear，theseareallyoumustexpect;thesecondwillimprovematters;andthethirdshouldseeyousurroundedwithluxuries。
Ifyouareyourownshepherd，whichatfirstismorethanprobable，youwillfindthatshepherdingisoneofthemostprosaicprofessionsyoucouldhaveadopted。Sheepwillbetheoneideainyourmind;andasforpoetry，nothingwillbefartherfromyourthoughts。Youreyewilleverbestrainingafteradistantsheep——yourearslisteningforableat——infact，yourwholeattentionwillbedirected，thewholedaylong，tonothingbutyourflock。Wereyoutoshepherdtoolongyourwitswouldcertainlygowool-gathering，evenifyouwerenottemptedtobleat。Itis，however，agloriouslyhealthyemployment。
Andnow，gentlereader，Iwishyouluckwithyourrun。Ifyouhavetolerablygoodfortune，inaveryshorttimeyouwillbearichman。
Hopingthatthismaybethecase，thereremainsnothingformebuttowishyouheartilyfarewell。
CrossingtheRangitataSupposeyouweretoaskyourwayfromMr。Phillips’sstationtomine，I
shoulddirectyouthus：\"Workyourwaytowardsyondermountain;passunderneathitbetweenitandthelake，havingthemountainonyourrighthandandthelakeonyourleft;ifyoucomeuponanyswamps，goroundthemor，ifyouthinkyoucan，gothroughthem;ifyougetstuckupbyanycreeks——acreekisthecolonialtermforastream——you’llverylikelyseecattlemarks，byfollowingthecreekupanddown;butthereisnothingtherethatoughttostickyouupifyoukeepoutofthebigswampatthebottomofthevalley;afterpassingthatmountainfollowthelaketillitends，keepingwellonthehill-sideaboveit，andmaketheendofthevalley，whereyouwillcomeuponahighterraceabovealargegully，withaverystrongcreekatthebottomofit;getdowntheterrace，whereyou’llseeapatchofburntground，andfollowtheriver-
bedtillitopensontoaflat;turntoyourleftandkeepdownthemountainsidesthatrunalongtheRangitata;keepwellnearthemandsoavoidtheswamps;crosstheRangitataoppositewhereyouseealargeriver-bedcomingintoitfromtheotherside，andfollowthisriver-bedtillyouseemyhutsomeeightmilesupit。\"PerhapsIhavethusbeenbetterabletodescribethenatureofthetravellingthanbyanyother。
Ifonecangetanythingthatcanbemanufacturedintoafeatureandbedignifiedwithanameonceinfiveorsixmiles，oneisverylucky。
Well，wehadfollowedthesedirectionsforsomeway，asfarinfactastheterrace，when，therivercomingintofullview，IsawthattheRangitatawasveryhigh。Worsethanthat，IsawMr。Phillipsandapartyofmenwhoweretakingadrayovertoarunjustontheothersideoftheriver，andwhohadbeenpreventedfromcrossingfortendaysbythestateofthewater。Amongthem，tomyhorror，Irecognisedmycadet，whomIhadleftbehindmewithbeefwhichhewastohavetakenovertomyplaceaweekandmoreback;whereonmymindmisgavemethatapoorIrishmanwhohadbeenleftaloneatmyplacemightbeinasoreplight，havingbeenleftwithnomeatandnohumanbeingwithinreachforaperiodoftendays。Idon’tthinkIshouldhaveattemptedcrossingtheriverbutforthis。Underthecircumstances，however，I
determinedatonceonmakingapushforit，andaccordinglytakingmytwocadetswithmeandtheunfortunatebeefthatwasalreadyputrescent——
ithadlainonthegroundinasackallthetime——westartedalongunderthehillsandgotoppositetheplacewhereIintendedcrossingbyaboutthreeo’clock。Ihadclimbedthemountainsideandsurveyedtheriverfromthencebeforeapproachingtheriveritself。Atlastwewerebythewater’sedge。Ofcourse，Iledtheway，beingasitwerepatronusoftheexpedition，andhavingbeenoutsomefourmonthslongerthaneitherofmycompanions;still，havingnevercrossedanyoftheriversonhorsebackinafresh，havingneverseentheRangitatainafresh，andbeingutterlyunabletoguesshowdeepanystreamwouldtakeme，itmaybeimaginedthatIfeltacertainamountofcautiontobenecessary，andaccordingly，foldingmywatchinmypocket-handkerchiefandtyingitroundmyneckincaseofhavingtoswimforitunexpectedly，Istrictlyforbadetheothertwotostirfromthebankuntiltheysawmesafelyontheotherside。NotthatIintendedtoletmyhorseswim，infactIhadmadeupmymindtoletmyoldIrishmanwaitalittlelongerratherthandeliberatelyswimforit。MytwocompanionswereworsemountedthanIwas，andtherushingwatermightonlytooprobablyaffecttheirheads。Minehadalreadybecomequiteindifferenttoit，thoughithadnotbeensoatfirst。Thesetwomen，however，hadbeenonlyaweekinthesettlement，andIshouldhavedeemedmyselfhighlyculpablehadIallowedthemtoswimariveronhorseback，thoughIamsurebothwouldhavebeenreadyenoughtodosoifoccasionrequired。
AsIsaidbefore，atlastwewereonthewater’sedge;arushingstreamsomesixtyyardswidewasthefirstinstalmentofourpassage。Itwasaboutthecolourandconsistencyofcreamandsoot，andhowdeep？Ihadnottheremotestidea;theonlythingforitwastogoinandsee。Sochoosingaspotjustaboveaspitandarapid——atsuchspotsthereissuretobeaford，ifthereisafordanywhere——Iwalkedmymarequicklyintoit，havingperfectconfidenceinher，and，Ibelieve，shehavingmoreconfidenceinmethansomewhohaveknownmeinEnglandmightsuppose。Inwewent;inthemiddleofthestreamthewaterwasonlyalittleoverherbelly（sheissixteenhandshigh）;alittlefarther，bysittingbackonmysaddleandliftingmyfeetupImighthaveavoidedgettingthemwet，hadIcaredtodoso，butIwasmoreintentonhavingthemarewellinhand，andonstudyingtheappearanceoftheremainderofthestreamthanonthinkingofmyownfeetjustthen;afterthatthewatergrewshallowerrapidly，andIsoonhadthefelicityoflandingmymareontheshelvingshingleoftheoppositebank。Sofarsogood;I
beckonedtomycompanions，whospeedilyfollowed，andweallthenproceededdownthespitinsearchofagoodcrossingplaceoverthenextstream。Weweresoonbesideit，andveryuglyitlooked。Itmusthavebeenatleastahundredyardsbroad——Ithinkmore，butwaterissodeceptivethatIdarenotaffixanycertainwidth。Iwassooninit，advancingveryslowlyaboveaslightlydarkerlineinthewater，whichassuredmeofitsbeingshallowforsomelittleway;thisfailing，I
soonfoundmyselfdescendingintodeeperwater，firstovermybootsforsomeyards，thenoverthetopofmygaitersforsomeyardsmore。ThiscontinuedsolongthatIwasinhopesofbeingabletogetentirelyover，whensuddenlythekneeagainstwhichthestreamcamewasentirelywet，andthewaterwasrushingsofuriouslypastmethatmypoormarewasleaningovertremendously。Alreadyshehadbeguntosnort，ashorsesdowhentheyareswimming，andIknewwellthatmycompanionswouldhavetoswimforiteventhoughImyselfmighthavegotthrough。
SoIverygentlyturnedherheadrounddownstreamandquietlymadebackagainforthebankwhichIhadleft。Shehadgotnearlytotheshore，andIcouldagaindetectadarkerlineinthewater，whichwasnownotoverherknees，whenallofasuddendownshewentuptoherbellyinaquicksand，inwhichshebeganflounderingaboutinfinestyle。Iwasoffherbackandintothewaterthatshehadleftinlesstimethanittakestowritethis。Ishouldnothavethoughtofleavingherbackunlesssureofmyground，foritisacanoninrivercrossingtosticktoyourhorse。Ipulledhergentlyout，andfollowedupthedarklinetotheshorewheremytwofriendswereonlytoogladtoreceiveme。Bytheway，allthistimeIhadhadacompanionintheshapeofacatinabag，whichIwastakingovertomyplaceasanantidotetotherats，whichweremostunpleasantlyabundantthere。Inursedheronthepommelofmysaddleallthroughthislaststream，andsaveintheepisodeofthequicksandshehadnotbeenintheleastwet。Then，however，shediddropinforasousing，andmewedinamannerthatwenttomyheart。I
amveryfondofcats，andthisoneisaparticularlyfavourablespecimen。ItwaswithgreatpleasurethatIheardherpurringthroughthebag，assoonasIwasagainmountedandhadherinfrontofmeasbefore。
SoIfailedtocrossthisstreamthere，but，determinedifpossibletogetacrosstheriverandseewhethertheIrishmanwasaliveordead，weturnedhigherupthestreamandbyandbyfoundaplacewhereitdivided。BycarefullyselectingaspotIwasabletocrossthefirststreamwithoutthewatersgettinghigherthanmysaddle-flaps，andthesecondscarcelyoverthehorse’sbelly。Afterthatthereweretwostreamssomewhatsimilartothefirst，andthenthedangersofthepassageoftherivermightbeconsideredasaccomplished——thedangers，butnotthedifficulties。TheseconsistedinthesluggishcreeksandswampygroundthicklyovergrownwithIrishman，snow-grass，andspaniard，whichextendoneithersidetheriverforhalfamileandmore。Buttocutalongstoryshortwegotoverthesetoo，andthenwewereontheshinglyriver-bedwhichleadsuptothespotonwhichmyhutismadeandmyhousemaking。Thisriverwasnowabrawlingtorrent，hardlylessdangeroustocrossthantheRangitataitself，thoughcontainingnotatitheofthewater，thebouldersaresolargeandthewatersopowerful。
Initsordinaryconditionitislittlemorethanalargebrook;now，thoughnotabsolutelyfresh，itwasasunpleasantaplacetoputahorseintoasoneneedwish。Therewasnothingforit，however，andwecrossedandrecrosseditfourtimeswithoutmisadventure，andfinallywithgreatpleasureIperceivedatwinklinglightontheterracewherethehutwas，whichassuredmeatoncethattheoldIrishmanwasstillinthelandoftheliving。Twoorthreevigorous\"coo-eys\"broughthimdowntothesideofthecreekwhichboundsmyrunupononeside。
Footnotes：
{1}ProjectGutenbergnote：theeditionofthebookfromwhichthiseTextwastranscribedcontainedanumberofother，unrelated，pieces。
ThesehavebeentranscribedandareavailableasseparateeTexts。ThepiecesonDarwinareintheeText\"PiecesonDarwin\"andtheminorpieceswrittenwhilstButlerwasatCambridgeUniversity，England，areintheeText\"CambridgePieces\"。——DP。
{2}SeePreface。
{3}August，1862。——Sincewritingtheabove，mattershavesomewhatchanged。Firstly，Ewesarefullyworth30s。ahead，andarenottobehadunder。Secondly，ThediggingsinOtagohavecausedthevalueofwetherstorise，andastheyarenowsellingat33s。ontherunsoftheOtagostation（IquotetheLytteltonTimes，whichmaybedependedupon），andthoserunsareonlyverypartiallystocked，thesupplytheremustinallprobabilityfallshortofthedemand。Thepriceofsheepinthissettlementisthereforeraisedalso，andlikelytocontinuehigh。AlldependsuponwhatthisnextspringmaybringforthupontheOtagogold-
fields。Iftheykeepupthereputationwhichtheysustaineduntilthewintercausedthediggerstoretreat，thepricewillbehighforsomefewyearslonger;iftheyturnoutafailure，itMUSTfallbeforeverylong。Still，thereisalargeandincreasingpopulationinCanterbury，andasitssheep-feedingareaisasnothingcomparedwiththatofAustralia，wedonotexpectsheephereevertofallaslowastheydidtherebeforethediggings。Indeed，theyhardlycandoso;foroursheeparelargerthantheAustralian，andclipamuchheavierfleece，sothattheirfleece，andskins，andtallowmustbeofgreatervalue。Shouldmeansbefoundofconvertingthemeatintoportablesoup，thecarcaseofthesheepought，evenatitslowestvalue，tobeconsiderablyhigherthan10s。Nothingisheardaboutthisyet，forthecountryisnotnearlystocked，sothatthethingisnotneeded;butonewould，apriori，beundertheimpressionthatthereshouldultimatelybenoinsuperabledifficultyinrescuingthemeatfromwaste。ItisamatterwhichmightwellattracttheattentionofscientificmeninEngland。Weshouldallbeexceedinglyobligedtothemiftheywouldkindlycausesheeptobeashighas15s。or17s。sevenyearshence，andIcanseenoreasonwhy，ifthemeatcouldbemadeuseof，theyshouldfalllower。
Inotherrespects，whatIhavewrittenaboutsheepontermsistruetothepresentday。
{4}Theaboveistruetothepresentday（August，1862），savethatahigherpricemustbegivenforthegoodwillofarun，andthatsheeparefully30s。ahead。Say8000poundsinsteadof6000pounds，andtherestwillstand。8000poundsshoulddothethinghandsomely。