He was a young squatter, well known west of the Mary River, in Queensland.

Harry Heathcote of Gangoil, who owned 30,000 sheep of his own, was a magistrate in those parts, and able to hold his own among his neighbors, whether rough or gentle; and some neighbors he had, very rough, who made it almost necessary that a man should be able to be rough also, on occasions, if he desired to live among them without injury.

Heathcote of Gangoil could do all that.
Men said of him that he was too imperious, too masterful, too much inclined to think that all things should be made to go as he would have them.

Young as he was, he had been altogether his own master since he was of age--and not only his own master, but the master also of all with whom he was brought into contact from day to day.

In his life he conversed but seldom with any but those who were dependent on him, nor had he done so for the last three years.