Rachel reached up and removed her stock hat to whip her brow with her forearm, the sweltering heat of summer causing beads of sweat to slither down her back beneath her shirt. Slick strode along confidently beneath her, unperturbed by the heat though patches of sweat stained his silver coat. It was around midday and the heat had gotten to its worst for the day. Reigning Slick in Rachel sent a piercing whistle across the mob of moving cattle. On que the stock-men and woman brought the group to a halt and waited her instructions.

“We should set up camp for the day, we’ll move out later when the heat slacks off.” She hollered, confident that the message would be passed on. She looked on as the message was hollered down the line, finally when all were informed they moved the cattle onwards to a well grassed plateau, the well known and oft used Paddy Rush’s Bogong. Once the fattened steers were grazing peacefully, little on their mind but graze and rest in this heat, Rachel and the stockmen moved over to the shade of the trees flanking the area. Hearing hoof beats Rachel glanced over her shoulder.

Harry urged Chance into a slightly faster lope, reaching Rachel’s side. He to removed his stock hat for a brief moment to swipe his brow. “So what do you think?” He asked, replacing his hat. He cracked a crooked smile as she looked askance at him. “You know what I mean.” He told her, both Chance and Slick falling in step and slowing to an amble. “Personally I think the steers look great, they’ve almost thrived on the fodder up here. Pop should get his money’s worth outta them.” He cast an approving glance back at the mob, beginning to fan out.

Rachel grunted non-committal like but her mouth curved slightly. She was also aware that Harry had been asking about the new Stock-girl, but he knew better than to push for an answer from her. Where was that girl anyway?