is course of drunkenness."

"I am aware," said John, "such is his present feeling; and I have met
with many like him, but have succeeded in persuading, not a few, to
practise a life of frugality; and I am convinced, with a little
admonition, that that man could be induced to adopt a similar course."

"Well, perhaps, he could," replied Smithers; "but, for my part, if those
fellows feel inclined to spend their money foolishly, I don't think it
is our interest to prevent them. If we induced all the men in the
country to save their wages, or take them in sheep, we would have the
colony overrun with a set of "stringy bark squatters," who would be so
infesting our lands that our runs would be cut up into innumerable small
parts, just to serve vagabonds."

"You must admit," replied John, "that if a provident spirit were to be
infused into the people, it would be the means of stocking the country
by an industrious and thrifty population; and be far more beneficial to
the colony than allowing the lands to remain in the hands of a few
wealthy squatters."

"Oh, pooh! pooh!" cried Smithers; "but I'm not going to argue with you;
we had better start in the morning soon after daylight; so, now, let's
take a snooze." With this the young men entered the hut, and, rolling
themselves in their blankets, settled for sleep; which they enjoyed
uninterruptedly until an early hour in morning. They then arose; and,
after taking a matin ablution in the creek, returned to the hut to
partake of their breakfast, which was being prepared by Joey; while Bob
Smithers' stock-man brought in the horses.

It may, no doubt, appear strange to the reader that horses should be
turned out loose in the bush, with only the simple precaution of
"hobbling" their fore-feet, without the danger of the animals being lost
to their owners; but such is rarely to be apprehended, except in the
case of some incorrigible beasts who are not to be trusted. We certainly
have known horses, so hobbled, make off in a sort of shambling gallop,
by drawing up the two confined feet together, and progressing in short
leaps; but, in general, a horse so turned out at night, after a day's
hard ride, has a sort of tacit understanding with his master that he is
to be at hand when required: or at least his natural instinct prompts
him to make the most use of his leisure time, and occupy the period of
his release in diligently administering to his own wants, and satisfying
the calls of hu