"The poor brutes get terribly tangled by these wild growths, and sheep are not very wise, sir.

They're poor, helpless sort of creatures.

As soon as they are helped out of one difficulty they get into another." "Yes, I suppose so," said Nic, speaking as if he thoroughly understood sheep; though his knowledge of the popular old useful animal consisted in the facts that when they were young they were lambs, that they grew wool, and that when they were killed they became mutton.
They have so many diseases, too, sir, and so many enemies.
"What, the dingoes ?" said Nic.
"Yes, they play the part of the wolf in Europe.

It's astonishing how they have overrun the country." Nic stared again, but averted his eyes for fear the man should notice it.

This did not seem the Leather he had seen so much of on his way home and since.
"Are there no wolves, then, here ?" he asked.
"No, sir, fortunately for the squatters; and it's a pity they introduced these dogs." "They?
Who did ?" "Impossible to say, sir.