Our journey is continued – We join a party of Bush Rangers – A friend offers to take charge of my property – I meditate a new escape, but the person from whom I seek assistance, scornfully refuses it, in consequence of my having saved his life.

It was now broad day, and we were not yet in sight of the place of our destination. The horses were jaded, and advanced but slowly; and this circumstance elicited a display of Mr. Rafferty’s temper and accomplishments, which was hardly wanted, to enable me to form a proper estimate of his character. He swore most blasphemously, and beat the poor beast on which he rode, so unmercifully, that its master was obliged more than once to interfere. His first representations were not attended to; but those subsequently addressed to him, produced a volley of abuse, with a string of curses, imprecated both on him and on his horse, the latter being denominated ‘dog’s meat,’ by Mr. Rafferty, to which he prefixed an adjective, which was in great request with him, and which, not untruly, described the said dog’s meat, to be in a bleeding state. A reflection of this sort, cast on a part of his stud, in addition to the outrages previously sustained, was more than the man could bear, and he now, with great fluency, returned the foul language he had received, with a very handsome addition, by way of compliment, or interest, on the blackguard capital, advanced by Mr. Rafferty. He finished, by telling the latter, that if he did not clap on his muzzle, he would give him a pelt on the cocoa, ⁷² which should not leave him mag ⁷³ enough for a last dying speech.