The horses were in good wind and condition now; we had plenty of rations--flour, tea, and sugar.

There was no cart, but some good packhorses, just the same as if we were a regular station party on our own run.

Father had worked all that before we came.

We had the best of fresh beef and veal too--you may be sure of that--there was no stint in that line; and at night we were always sure of a yarn from Starlight--that is, if he was in a good humour.

Sometimes he wasn't, and then nobody dared speak to him, not even father.
He was an astonishing man, certainly.