In both brothel and pub the men found friends. There were other sailors ashore, there were many swagmen just in from the bush—some with "stakes" they had earned on the ranches out in the country ... and in their good, simple hearts they were not averse to "standing treats."
As if by previous appointment, one by one we drifted together, we cattlemen of the South Sea King—we drifted together and found each other in the fine park near the Queensland House of Parliament.
We had, all of us, already over-stayed our shore-leave by many hours. We grouped together in informal consultation as to what should be done—should we go back to the ship or not?
"We might run into a typhoon ... with all them crazy cattle on board!" voiced one....
Nevertheless, perhaps because it was, after all, the line of least resistance, because there regular meals awaited us, and a secure place of sleep, by twos and threes we drifted back, down the long, hot, dusty road, to where the South Sea King lay waiting for us ... the mate, the captain, and the cattle-boss furious at us for our over-stayed shore-leave....
The cattle had been there these many hours, bellowing and moving restlessly in their land-pens, the hot sun blazing down upon them.