Page:Rambles in Australia (IA ramblesinaustral00grewiala).pdf/115

Rh the subject. Cunningham, what was the size of that farm that Colonel Burns got rid of last autumn?"

"I can't quite tell you the size," said Dr. Cunningham, after assumed cogitation. "It was pretty big. There were about a quarter of a million sheep with it."

The American looked from one to the other, and expectorated at the stove in a discontented manner. After a minute or two he started in again.

"We get a good figure for our stock hereabouts," he observed; "we breed for quality. I guess wool is your strong suit. Now what about is your figure per sheep over there?"

Again Deakin referred to Cunningham, the authority.

"What was it Murray of Adelaide was asking for that merino ram of his, Cunningham—it was called Lion II, I believe?"

"I don't know what he was asking," returned Cunningham swiftly, "but I can tell you what he got for it. He took eleven hundred guineas."

The American looked from one to the other and swallowed hard.

"Thunder!" he said. "Give me cattle!"

Well, we didn't see the quarter of a million