Dan, the Dandy, the Quiet Stockman,
ourselves, every horse-"boy" that could be mustered, a numerous staff of
camp "boys" for the Dandy's work, and an almost complete complement of
dogs, Little Tiddle'ums only being absent, detained at the homestead this
time with the cares of a nursery.
A goodly company all told as we sat
among the camp fires, with our horses clanking through the timber in
their hobbles: forty horses and more, pack teams and relays for the whole
company and riding hacks, in addition to both stock and camp horses for
active mustering; for it requires over two hundred horses to get through
successfully a year's work on a "little place like the Elsey."
Every one of the company had his special work to attend to; but every
one's work was concerned with cattle, and cattle only. The musterers were
to work every area of country again and again, and the Dandy's work began
in the building of the much-needed yard to the north-west.
We breakfasted at the Springs all together, had dinner miles apart, and
all met again at the Stirling for supper. Dan and ourselves dined also
at the Stirling on damper and "push" and vile-smelling blue-black tea.
The damper had been carried in company with some beef and tea, in Dan's
saddle-pouch; the tea was made with the thick, muddy, almost putrid water
of the fast-drying water hole, and the "push" was provided by force of
circumstances, the pack teams being miles away with the plates, knives,
and forks.
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