was the worst part of the journey for the horses, so we had easy
consciences in dismounting and waiting an hour when we reached that
most charming and hospitable of houses. I had just time for one
turn round the beautiful garden, where the flowers and shrubs of old
England grew side by side with the wild and lovely blossoms of our
new island home, when the expected coo-e rang out shrill and clear
from the rose-covered porch. It was but little past mid-day when we
made our second start, and set seriously to work over fifteen miles
of fairly good galloping ground. This distance brought us well up
to the foot of a high range, and the last six miles of the journey
had to be accomplished in single file, and with great care and
discretion, for the track led through bleak desolate vallies, round
the shoulder of abutting spurs, through swamps, and up and down
rocky staircases. Mr. C. H--- and his cob both knew the way well
however, and my bay mare Helen had the cleverest legs and the wisest
as well as prettiest head of her race. If left to herself she
seldom made a mistake, and the few tumbles she and I ever had
together, took place only when she found herself obliged to go my
way instead of her own. We entered the gorges of the high mountains
between us and the west, and soon lost the sun; even the brief
winter twilight faded away more swiftly than usual amid those dark
defiles; and it was pitch dark, though only five o'clock, when we
heard a sudden and welcome clamour of dog voices.

These deep-mouthed tones invariably constitute the first notes of a
sheep-station's welcome; and a delightful sound it is to the belated
and bewildered traveller, for besides guiding his horse to the right
spot, the noise serves to bring out some one to see who the
traveller may be. On this occasion we heard one man say to the
other, "It's the boss:" so almost before we had time to dismount