In a short time he returned with them to the
station, and made them disgorge the stolen property, all but the tea,
sugar, mutton, and damper, which were not returnable. He gave them
some stirring advice with his stockwhip, and ordered them to start
for a warmer climate. He then directed Hyde to return to his sheep,
and not let those blank blacks humbug him out of clothes any more.
But nothing would induce the shepherd to remain another day; he
forswore pastoral pursuits for the rest of his life. His courage had
been tried and found wanting; he had been covered--or, rather,
uncovered--with disgrace; and his dignity--at least in Riverina
--was gone for ever. In other scenes, and under happier auspices,
he might recover it, but on Robinson's station he would be subjected
to the derision of the station hands as long as he stayed.
How he lived for some time afterwards is unknown; but in 1853 he was
a policeman at Bendigo diggings. At that time any man able to carry
a carbine was admitted into the force without question. It was then
the refuge of the penniless, of broken-down vagabonds, and unlucky
diggers. Lords and lags were equally welcomed without characters or
references from their former employers, the Masters' and Servants'
Act having become a dead letter. Hyde entered the Government
service, and had the good sense to stay there.
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