buried was that of my only brother; and 'tis in a country like this that one knows how to value a brother. We were bringing cattle over from the Sydney side not long after the road was opened, and what with the anxiety and deprivations we under-went, poor Tom fell into a bad way with dysentery. One day, when the poor fellow was well nigh exhausted, for we pushed on, hoping to fall in with some men who we knew were before us, he desired me not to trouble about him, but to go ahead with the cattle, and leave him to make the best of his way after us. I would not have left a cur in such a fix, let alone a true-hearted brother; so I told Tom that I would not part from him come what would. I little thought then the poor fellow would so soon part from me. Well, not to make you as dismal as these thoughts do me, I'll cut my story short. We halted for several days, but Tom grew worse and worse, and I tried to cheer him up and to convince him and myself that he would get over his sickness; but he always said he should not. Well, the night he died,—poor fellow, he was wandering a little bit,—'Giles,' said he, with a languid smile, if there's only two things in the world would do me any good; one is, if I could look upon our old home in England and grasp the hands of those dear friends who made it home—how different from this, dear Giles; and yet I ought not to complain whilst I see your face beside me and can feel your faithful heart beating against my breast,—how hard it beats too! 'The poor fellow was laying in my arms. 'Tis beating,' said I, 'with hope. Come, cheer up, we may live to return yet: but what is the other thing you desire?' 'Let me think' he said, 'I'm very weak here, I can scarcely draw breath' laying his hands upon his breast, 'give me some brandy with an egg in it;' and it is my firm belief," Dodge said, "that he would have been alive now could I by any possibility have gratified his
