Catching "Brumbies”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 282, 28 November 1936, Page 12

Catching "Brumbies”

(The following narrative is a truelife experience of by brothers. •'Brumbies'* are wild horses. "Madcap. > CHAPTER I. Moonlight and mountains and a camp far from the haunts oi everyday people. In the camps sleepmg the sleep of the wear.', and. shall wo say, "the just" also lay six men. But a few hours previously a great activity had prevailed, Hands had wrought and fashioned and longues had wagged for on the day drawing near to its dawning something was to be attempted, something done, the very thought oi which had quickene I the heartbeats of those quiet sleepers and had made their blood surge with anticipation. Ere night came again they would have experience d all tin* thrills of tiie chase. Not just the thrills of an ordinary chase when picturesquciy-clad human efficiency mounted, and packs ol yelping dogs cruelly and relentlessly hunted to death gaunt insignificant hairs and poor, frightened bunme? merely for amusement, but something entirely different. Theirs would be a hunt with more than a wanton killing in view, and equally exciting and every hit as risky if not more so for the wild horse.-, commonly called "brumbies.” that roamed at will over the plains were the quarry they sought, and it meant reckless and fast “BILLY BEETLE." MAKING ’ RIENDS OF BIRDS. Dear Wendy, I am writing to tell you about the birds about here. The kingfishers that were her-' have gone, except one. It is very interesting and is becoming tame. The thru.'h by the school is always singing in the morning. It has two perches, one in a Hoheri tree near the school and another further away. The>e are the only perches 1 have heard them in. There are hundreds of sparrows here. Every morning when I long down a’ the willow tree I see dozens oi them. I get some crumbs and throw them out for th» .n. 1 do this every ne-rnmg and niglit. In tm* morning when 1 go to school a pip;’. oi ground lark, hops along in front <•? me. H doc.-n'; seem to be airaid at to bring crumbs tor it. 'l'nce a other birds such as Marlines, magpies and many others, wh’rh I shall describe later. - From "BILLY BEETLE." Taihape. I am pleased, dear, that you have devoted such a lot of vour time to a study of the birds. You will find your hobby very interesting indeed. The birds soon learn to he not afraid of those who never seek to harm them.Wendy. IX)OK WHO’S HERE I QLKS! IT S OCR LONG-ABSENT "LOLA." Dear Wendy. I >upr *•• \.>u .*. .. get a .'hock when you -• <■ ■.!’.<> •.< , letter is from, as 1 have not wtitien to you for what 'eom.s ;.■•*.: have a craze for vvidm, iett O' t. night. I don’t know v am . u: •. I hope w <* < an - ■: •>. t .* ■> pages back again. heea'i.'e we , ju,. v i 1 a ’.n . ) miu - h. 1 wish 1 ha : nm been over 12 year' an i then I would have been able to .. • in to: th- N.M.C competition. We have had wonderful weather here lately. We have a little fox-terrier and it is a lovely dug. Well, Wendy, there i.> no more new.' low so I w ill close. Wishing you best jf luck. From-"LOLA. ■’ Ta.hap?. I am ever so hap;-y, dear, that a letter-writing mood has cap! used you. f did wonder w hat could have become of you this long while. Our N.M.C. competition was a tremendous success indeed. I am pleased you have a nice little doggie for a pet. Wendy.

riding and no little skill to capture these alert and elusive animals and bring them in alive. But to-morrow was to-morrow and jn the meantime the inmates a* the camp slept quietly on perchance they dreamed, but not one I there was who snored. The mystic hour of midnight passed, lime sped on unchecked and nights darkened hours had almost flown. Faint pearly tints in the eastern sky. Tis four o’clock in the morning! A morning crisp and cold with a silvery moon still shining with quiet radienc? upon a frost-white world. Hark! A movement inside the camp, then ai sudden clamour as a volly of words | shattered the peace ami silence. "Babbler! Babbler! Babbler," in a 'harp "criscendo." “say. are you going to sleep pH day?" Instantly the slumberers are startled awake, but there is no need for alarm. It was only the "boss" of ihe outfit letting the cook know it was time for breakfast. While this was being prepared the rest of the men busy themselves with their mounts for the day feeding, brushing, and saddling them ready to make a start as soon as it is daylight. Breakfast is satisfying though far from! elaborate, consisting of venison slew, bread ami butter, washed down with I mi Ik less tea for milk is a luxury ’way ’ out in the Kaimanawa Ranges. (To be Continued).