we returned to Davis's, where we found the bullocks had
arrived the night before, and Davis, after a laugh at our misadventures,
returned us the L25, and the same evening we left for Dunedin. We camped
some ten miles further down the Waitaki, with a very eccentric personage
in the form of an old retired clergyman of the Church of England. He
lived like a hermit in a small hut under the hills, which he had built
himself, as well as some outbuildings and a capital little bakery, which
he was very proud of. He cultivated a small plot of ground, where he
grew potatoes and other vegetables and kept a cow, and he possessed
several cats and a couple of fine collie dogs. He gave food--especially
bread--to any traveller passing who needed it, and free quarters for the
night. He showed us a small canoe in which he was in the habit of
paddling himself across the river, and was always ready to obey a call
to any, even distant, station where his services were needed in a case
of illness, death, or marriage. He was a most entertaining host, and we
enjoyed the night we spent with him in his curious and lonely
habitation. We heard that he had suffered some severe domestic calamity,
which drove him to his present lonely life, but he spent his days in
doing all the good that lay in his power, and doubtless many a passing
traveller was the better in more ways than one for meeting the old
recluse.

On arriving at Dunedin we found that Legge had already disposed of the
dray satisfactorily, and Smith finding a purchaser for his horse he
parted with him, thus placing us all in funds. It was decided then that
Smith and Legge should take the coasting steamer to Port Lyttelton,
while I proceeded overland with my own horse and "Jack the Devil,"
arranging to meet at Christchurch. Fowler left us at Dunedin, and we saw
him no more.

My journey back was uneventful, but happening to meet with Bains, of the
Post, the original owner of my horse, we exchanged mounts for a
consideration of L5 transferred from his pocket to mine. He wanted his
harness horse back, while I needed only a saddle horse, so the exchange
was a satisfactory one in every way, and enabled me to hasten my journey
to Christchurch, where I found Legge and Smith awaiting me.

We sold Jack for twice what he cost us, and squared accounts for the
trip, which, although it did not fulfill the brilliant expectations with
which we started upon it, was nevertheless an interesting and pleasant