The Jehu then pointed out that his prophecy had
proved correct, and the misty rain had blown off, leaving a clear sky
and fine weather, so a start was made _en masse_ for the scene of the
ploughing operations. A slight lameness on the part of one of the steeds
made it necessary for the smaller coach to return for change of animals
after a few hundred yards. The Wild Man occupied the few minutes of this
delay to the best possible advantage. The owner of the house and
chattels was away, and The Wild Man, stimulated by The Chaperon made a
very productive tour of the rooms and verandah, resulting in great
satisfaction to himself.
When the coach was ready with fresh horses, and The Wild Man had
satisfied himself that nothing of value had escaped his observation,
another move forward was made, and on arriving at the ground the smaller
party found that the occupants of the first coach were already on the
plough, having ousted the colonists for the time being. This plough was
working on rough virgin ground, turning over more land in one hour than
two men and four horses can do in England in a whole day. Each member of
the party took their turn on the plough, and enjoyed the pleasure
derived from turning over the untouched soil, and of feeling that they
were helping to start the development of Nature's truest source of
wealth.
Pages:
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236