midday
At one time it ran down a gully that was almost a ravine , to mount straight up the opposite side among boulders that reached to the belly-bands . At others , it led through a reedy swamp , or a stony watercourse ; or it became a bog ; or dived through a creek . Where the ground was flat and treeless , it was a rutty , well-worn track between two seas of pale , scant grass . More than once , complaining of a mouth like sawdust , Purdy alighted and limped across the verandah of a house-of-accommodation ; but they did not actually draw rein till , towards midday , they reached a knot of weatherboard verandahed stores , smithies and public-houses , arranged at the four Corners of two cross-roads . Here they made a substantial luncheon ; and the odour of fried onions carried far and wide . Mahony paid his three shillings for a bottle of ale ; but Purdy washed down the steak with cup after cup of richly sugared tea . In the early afternoon they set off again , revived and refreshed .