We proceeded manfully and had accomplished about half the distance when Cook, who had been exhibiting signs of weariness, suddenly “sat down in his tracks,” and asked for some grog, which was given him.  This revived him somewhat, and we again got under weigh, keeping him in the rear, but after a little while he again succumbed, and said he could go no further.  He was quite happy, only looked a bit dazed, said he was tired and sleepy, and begged us to go on, and send a man and horse for him.  This was what we feared.  He was too far gone to remember that a horse could not walk where we had come.  There was nothing for it but to carry, or assist him as best we could, and keep him moving, for if we had left him he would have frozen dead in half an hour.  With this fear we received new strength, and two by two, we half carried and half dragged him for some distance when we were met by the hut keeper, and the remaining station hand, an old man, by name Darby—­who, as agreed, had left to seek us, fearing some accident.  With this additional assistance Cook was carried the remaining distance, and laid, now quite asleep, on a cot, where we rubbed his extremities with snow, till circulation returned, and then let him sleep, which he did, and indeed which we all did, until very late the following day.

The same winter a sad accident occurred on a run south of Canterbury, belonging to two brothers, by name, I think, McKenzie.  They went alone to visit their sheep in the snow, and when returning, the elder got tired and could not proceed.  He contentedly sat down, desiring his brother to go on to the station and send him assistance.  The latter, fearing nothing, left him, and when the assistance arrived the man was found dead.

The close of winter was now coming on, and the snow was fast thawing from the mountains, while the river flats were almost clear where drifts had not formed.  With the thaw the Rangitata came down in great volume, a sea of yellow foaming water a quarter of a mile in width.

During the time we were snowed up the mob of horses came almost every day to the stock yard for rock salt and we now took the opportunity to retain three, as the ground was clear enough for riding.  I had brought with me from Christchurch a new purchase in the form of a big rawboned gelding, fresh off board ship from Melbourne, and had turned him to graze with the other horses on the run.  He was now in splendid condition.

When we were all mounted the gelding showed some inclination to buck, but went away quietly after all, and we cantered along to the bank of the river.  Returning, we wished to try the paces of our nags, and started for a race.  My animal then showed his temper, and after a few bucks, which did not unseat me, he fairly bolted.  I had only a light snaffle on him, while his mouth was like iron.  The bridle, too, was old as ill-luck would have it, or I might have succeeded in stopping him; but after a few moments of vain endeavour to do so, the rein broke at the ring of the snaffle, and he was free.  With a vicious shake of the head he threw the bit from his mouth and headed for the downs, where I knew there was a large tract of burnt “Irishman” scrub, into which, if he took me, I would be torn to pieces.