Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/78

 whether from the renewed vigour from the stream, or the scattering and delay of getting them over, we had not time to form them into a body before they made a retrograde attack. It was then the wonderful sagacity of our horses was most apparent. Immediately on the rush, all reins were loosened, and the horses, coming together into a close body, whirled round, forming a circuit after the herd. Never was charge of cavalry executed with greater order or precision than these half-wild horses, without whip, spur, or rein, manœuvred. Closing round the leaders of the herd ere they reached the stream, outflanking them, they succeeded in bringing them to their former position. It was really most astonishing to see how the horses watched any indication of a backward movement, and with what spirit they maintained the chase during the whole day.

Towards evening we approached the station, when we were joined by several herdsmen and dogs, who mingled amongst the horsemen, and assisted us to drive the whole within the stockade. My horse seemed as fresh as when I started, although I am certain of having gone more than sixty miles during the day, and most of that of hard and difficult riding. His saddle and bridle were taken off, and he was turned loose into a paddock, but it was several days ere I could get into the saddle again.

Most of the squatters' houses are on the same cottage plan, unless, indeed, some of recent date, which are of a more extensive style and pretension.