Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/413

395 Mr. Brockman. The fence is a quarter of a mile, running back from the river, and cost £10, being of only posts and two rails at present. A ditch and bank at the bottom is required to make it a complete fence against sheep; it now is sufficient against cattle, being about 4ft. 6in. high to the top of the post. The natives have speared my poor friend Weenat very badly at Guildford. I have sent him an invitation to come here and I will support him till he recovers. He is to come in a boat. I have got five bales of wool ready to send off, and expect four more from Ellen's Brook.

Oct. 12th.—I rode up this morning to the farm on Ellen's Brook to see the men shearing the sheep, but some rain having come on they had to desist, and I got the flock driven down here, so that I have now in the fold upwards of 700 sheep, and a rare bleating they keep up, as their lambs were left behind to be weaned.

There came a rumour to Perth the other day that 150 sheep were driven off from the grant next mine at York by the natives. There was quite a consternation; but it appears that they were all found again about two miles off, and as no natives were seen, it is supposed that a dog may have scattered the flock, as 200 were missed at first, and 50 came back of themselves at night.

There was another performance of private theatricals last night, when "The Spectral Bridegroom" and the "Irish Tutor" were given. W, in the latter, distinguished himself in the part of Dr. O'Toole.

Oct. 19th.—There was a very violent wind yesterday from the south. It nearly unroofed my barn, and this day I hear that the Shepherd was near being on shore again, and the Elizabeth actually driven on shore. I have finished packing all the wool. I have eleven packages. I cannot call them all bales, for one is only a bag, and another about three-fourths full. Began hay harvest to-day; have three scythes at work.