On arriving at Dunedin we found that Legge had already disposed of the dray satisfactorily, and Smith finding a purchaser for his horse he parted with him, thus placing us all in funds.  It was decided then that Smith and Legge should take the coasting steamer to Port Lyttelton, while I proceeded overland with my own horse and “Jack the Devil,” arranging to meet at Christchurch.  Fowler left us at Dunedin, and we saw him no more.

My journey back was uneventful, but happening to meet with Bains, of the Post, the original owner of my horse, we exchanged mounts for a consideration of L5 transferred from his pocket to mine.  He wanted his harness horse back, while I needed only a saddle horse, so the exchange was a satisfactory one in every way, and enabled me to hasten my journey to Christchurch, where I found Legge and Smith awaiting me.

We sold Jack for twice what he cost us, and squared accounts for the trip, which, although it did not fulfill the brilliant expectations with which we started upon it, was nevertheless an interesting and pleasant experience, and one which we would have been sorry to have missed.

I found home letters awaiting me, with renewed requests from my father to return while there was time to resume my studies, and offering me further assistance if I needed it.  I declined all, feeling that I could not now renounce the life I had chosen, and it would not be right of me, in opposition to his opinion, to accept any financial assistance even had I needed it, which was not the case.  I had tried most phases of a colonial life, had gained a great deal of experience, and knew that I could always obtain remunerative employment, and after I had enjoyed a little more rambling and freedom I could decide on some fixed line to settle down upon.  In the meantime there was no immediate hurry, and I was very young.

CHAPTER XIV.

     LEAVE FOR MESOPOTAMIA—­ROAD MAKING—­SHEEP MUSTERING—­DEATH OF
     DR. SINCLAIR—­ROAD CONTRACTS ON THE ASHBURTON—­WASHED DOWN STREAM.

I had only been a few days in Christchurch when I met a Mr. Butler whom I had once before seen up-country.  He immediately offered me a post on his run at L60 a year, with all expenses paid, which I could hold for as long or short time as I needed.  This exactly suited me in my present circumstances.  I accepted his offer and started the following day for Mesopotamia, as he had quaintly named his station; it lay between two rivers.

[Illustration:  MESOPOTAMIA STATION.]

Mr. Samuel Butler was a grandson of the late famous Bishop Butler.  He had come to New Zealand about a year previously with a small fortune which, as he said, he intended to double and then return home, and he did so in a remarkably short time.  Immediately he landed he made himself acquainted with the maps and districts taken up, and rode many hundreds of miles prospecting for new country.  His energy