" He had found that the last eighty-pound tea-chest contained
tinware when he opened it to replenish his teacaddy. Tea had been
ordered, and the chest was labelled tea clearly enough, to show that the
fault lay in Darwin; but that was poor consolation to us, the sufferers.
The necessities of the bush are few; but they are necessities; and Billy
Muck was sent in to the Katherine post-haste, to beg, borrow, or buy tea
from Mine Host. At the least a horseman would take six days for the
trip, irrespective of time lost in packing up; but knowing Billy's
untiring, swinging stride, we hoped to see him within four days.
Billy left at midday, and we drank our last cup of tea at supper; the
next day learned what slaves we can be to our bodies. Because we lacked
tea, the interest went out of everything. Listless and unsatisfied, we
sat about and developed headaches, not thirsty - for there was water in
plenty but craving for the uplifting influence of tea. Never drunkards
craved more intensely for strong drink! Sam made coffee; but coffee only
increased the headaches and cravings, and so we sat peering into the
forest, hoping for travellers; and all we learnt by the experience was
that tea is a necessary of life out-bush.
