My father was a kind master, and we always felt that, in case of need, we could rely upon them just as upon ourselves.

In those days it was next to impossible to get hired hands for, as there was plenty of land for anyone to squat upon, comparatively close to the port, the men who came out generally set up for themselves, at once.
"One day I had been out on horseback, to look for a couple of bullocks which had strayed away; and was on my way back when, ahead of me, I heard the cooey of the blacks.

I didn't think much of it, because they were common enough at that time, and a party had made a sort of encampment at a stream, about a mile from the house; but when, a minute later, I heard a gun fired, I guessed that there was mischief.
"The sound seemed to come from away towards the right, where I knew that one of our men was out, herding the bullocks; so I clapped spurs to my horse, and rode in that direction.

When I got near, I saw the cattle running wildly about, and a mob of black fellows among them.

I could see no signs of our man, and guessed that he must have gone down; and that I had best ride and warn them, at the house.
"The blacks saw me, and started at a run in my direction, but I soon left them behind.