We thought
nothing of it, and, returning to the dray, found the bullocks, put them
to, and started on our way; but when we came above the gully, at the
bottom of which the hut lay, we were obliged to give in. There was a
very bad creek, which we tried in vain for an hour or so to cross. The
snow was falling very thickly, and driving right into the bullocks'
faces. We were all very cold and weary, and determined to go down to
the hut again, expecting fine weather in the morning. We carried down a
kettle, a camp oven, some flour, tea, sugar, and salt beef; also a novel
or two, and the future towels of the establishment, which wanted
hemming; also the two cats. Thus equipped we went down the gulley, and
got back to the hut about three o'clock in the afternoon. The gulley
sheltered us, and there the snow was kind and warm, though bitterly cold
on the terrace. We threw a few burnt Irishman sticks across the top of
the walls, and put a couple of counterpanes over them, thus obtaining a
little shelter near the fire. The snow inside the hut was about six
inches deep, and soon became sloppy, so that at night we preferred to
make a hole in the snow and sleep outside.
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