[End of original text.]

About the author:

Henry Lawson was born near Grenfell, New South Wales, Australia on
17 June 1867. Although he has since become Australia's most acclaimed
writer, in his own lifetime his writing was often "on the side"--his
"real" work being whatever he could find. His writing was frequently
taken from memories of his childhood, especially at Pipeclay/Eurunderee.
In his autobiography, he states that many of his characters were
taken from the better class of diggers and bushmen he knew there.
His experiences at this time deeply influenced his work, for it is
interesting to note a number of descriptions and phrases that are
identical in his autobiography and in his stories and poems. He died at
Sydney, 2 September 1922. He is most famous for his short stories.

"On the Track" and "Over the Sliprails" were both published at Sydney
in 1900, the prefaces being dated March and June respectively--and so,
though printed separately, a combined edition was printed the same
year (the two separate, complete works were simply put together in one
binding); hence they are sometimes referred to as "On the Track and Over
the Sliprails".

. . . . .

An incomplete Glossary of Australian terms and concepts which may prove
helpful to understanding this book:

Anniversary Day: Alluded to in the text, is now known as Australia
Day. It commemorates the establishment of the first English
settlement in Australia, at Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), on 26
January 1788.

Billy: A kettle used for camp cooking, especially to boil water for
tea.

Cabbage-tree/Cabbage-tree hat: A wide-brimmed hat made with the
leaves of the cabbage tree palm (Livistona australis). It was a
common hat in early colonial days, and later became associated with
patriotism.

Gin: An aboriginal woman; use of the term is analogous to "squaw"
in N. America. May be considered derogatory in modern usage.

Graft: Work; hard work.

Humpy: (Aboriginal) A rough or temporary hut or shelter in the bush,
especially one built from bark, branches, and the like. A gunyah,
wurley, or mia-mia.

Jackeroo/Jackaroo: At the time Lawson wrote, a Jackeroo was a "new
chum" or newcomer to Australia, who sought work on a station to
gain experience. The term now applies to any young man working as a
station hand. A female station hand is a Jillaroo.

Jumbuck: A sheep.

Larrikin: A hood