Not to be master of all around him seemed to him to be misery.

The merchants at Brisbane who took his wool and supplied him with stores had advanced money when he first bought his run, and he still owed them some thousands of pounds.

The injury which a great fire would do him would bring him to such a condition that the merchants would demand to have their money repaid.

He understood it all, and knew well that it was after this fashion that many a squatter before him had been ruined.
"Speak a word to me about it," his wife said to him, imploringly, when they were alone together that night.
"My darling, if there were a word to say, I would say it.

I must be on the watch, and do the best I can.