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Anonymous - 'A Boundary Rider' by 'Back Blocker', ca. 1898, together with an introductory paragraph in the hand of J. F. Archibald - p6ca. 1898

by Anonymous
Transcript: 

wakened generally by my trousers, sometimes my leg catching in the ends of the wire at a figure ‘8’ splice. I pull myself together, have a look behind to see I missed no sheep hanging on the fence & if Old Snip is there & then on I go again.
“With a heart that is well nigh to bursting on the long lonely miles on the plain 
I think of the pleasure of taking the hand of a lady again” [A.B. Paterson, 'The Man from Snowy River', 1890]
By the time I have been to the [Forks] & get home, it is generally three o’clock. Another feed of Tea etc., then a ride to some Tank or other in another paddock & back home once more. The old mare has done her work & after a roll in the dust, walks leisurely along the old beaten pad to the Tank. Another feed the same as Breakfast, perhaps with the addition of some boiled rice & dried apples. The latter when supplied, I generally noticed indicated a rise in [Wools]. By the time I have washed up & if baking day is tomorrow set the dough in the bucket near the fire it is 7 o’clock.