ed
the drays soon to arrive with the various stores and provisions he had
purchased. The elder ladies, Mrs Berrington especially, looked forward
with some alarm to this journey; although Mrs Hugh did not express her
feelings. Aunt Emily and the girls were, however, in good spirits, and
expected to enjoy it.

At last the preparations were completed. Three drays, each drawn by
four horses, to carry the ladies and children, were covered over and
fitted up internally as comfortably as circumstances would allow. The
other drays, laden with stores, were to be drawn by oxen. Reggy and
Hector rode on horseback, as they would assist in the arduous task of
driving the cattle. The captain, Mr Berrington, and Mr Hayward drove
the three drays, while Paul and Sandy--with the assistance of three
shepherds and hut-keepers--took charge of the sheep. There were three
spare saddle-horses that the young ladies might ride whenever they
wished. Thus arranged, they started early in the morning.

When the party moved forward, they had the appearance of a large tribe
migrating. The long line of drays, with the herds of cattle, the drove
of horses and flocks of sheep, with their numerous attendants, some
mounted, others on foot; the oxen lowing, the sheep bleating, the shouts
of the drivers, and the stockmen's whips sounding above all. The huge
drays were each dragged by twelve bullocks, the two polers and leaders
being steady old stagers, as were those immediately in front of the
polers.

Thus they moved forward, resting only on Sunday. The most difficult
part of their journey was surmounting the range, when even Mrs
Berrington preferred climbing up on foot to remaining in the dray. The
bright fresh air, and the necessity of exerting herself, seemed to do
her good; and by the time she reached the top, though somewhat fatigued,
she appeared a different person, being not a little proud of her
performance. Even the warmest admirers of the country, however, had to
confess that there was a great sameness in the scenery, and many of the
rivers and creeks they crossed had no water in them.

An ample supply of water was carried in the drays for the use of the
travellers; but often the horses, cattle, and sheep suffered greatly
from having to go a long way before a stream or a water-hole could be
reached.

The gentlemen's guns amply supplied the larder, so that it was necessary
only occasionally to kill a sheep, or one of the oxen.