Up the Country: A Saga of Pioneering Days

One of the biggest mobs of cattle that had ever been seen up the country presently took the overland route. Upwards of a thousand head were driven forward from the flats to take the edge of the Great Plains on their southward way. It took some plucky riding to get the herd over the bush-lined bank and into the stream that was swollen with spring rains. As a protesting bellowing rent the heavens, the fierce cattle-dogs scarified the heels of the beasts, the cruel whips cut their hides. Those beasts at the rear drove the leaders forward, and in they went; the bellowing ceased, and then there was the magnificent sight of the expanse of water alive with heads crowned with horns as the cattle contested the swift current. Subdued by the immersion, they set off tractably through the township. They went right past Three Rivers homestead and the family climbed on to the roof of the cowsheds to get a good view. Away towards the red eye of the setting sun they went, the rattle of their horns and the crackling of their fetlocks making a stirring music as they swept past.

The stockmen hung on to the mob while their employers' sons had a last few lingering words with the beauty at Three Rivers back gate.