While the Billy Boils · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for While the Billy Boils by Henry Lawson.
Chapter 1
Preface to the First Edition
The publishers acknowledge the various journals in which the stories first appeared, including the Sydney Bulletin, Sydney Worker, and others, and express gratitude to the press of Australia and New Zealand for their assistance in publishing the collection.
Chapter 2
While the Billy Boils
A collection of short stories and sketches depicting the harsh realities of bush life in Australia, focusing on themes of mateship, hardship, and the struggles of itinerant workers.
Chapter 3
An Old Mate of Your Father's
The narrator reflects on the visits of old mates from his father's past on the goldfields. These men, relics of a bygone era, would arrive unexpectedly, bringing gifts and stories of the diggings. They would walk with the father among old mine shafts, reminisce about past rushes and mates, and speak in hushed tones about the Eureka Stockade. The chapter explores the deep bond between these old mates and the father, contrasting their loyalty with the perceived shortcomings of the younger generation.
Chapter 4
Settling on the Land
Tom Hopkins, a former tradesman, attempts to become a farmer on a selection at Dry Hole Creek, facing relentless hardships including poor soil, floods, crop diseases, livestock epidemics, conflicts with squatters and dummies, and legal troubles, ultimately leading to his admission to a lunatic asylum.
Chapter 5
Enter Mitchell
Mitchell, a swagman, arrives at Redfern railway station and engages in a humorous exchange with a cabman about whether he needs a cab, ultimately taking one to get decent clothes.
Chapter 6
Stiffner and Jim
The narrator and his mate Bill, down on their luck and desperate for a drink, devise a scheme to outwit the formidable publican Stiffner. After running up a tab they cannot pay, they plan an escape. The narrator distracts Stiffner by pretending to repair his boot, secretly driving a nail through the sole, then bolts with their swags. Bill joins him in the bush, and they escape, though Bill later reveals he has saved nine shillings and sixpence from the night before.
Chapter 7
When the Sun Went Down
After a quarrel between brothers Tom and Jack Drew at a mining claim, Tom refuses to reconcile before sunset. When the mine shaft collapses and traps Jack, Tom frantically digs him out but suffers a fatal heart attack. The brothers reconcile in Jack's final moments as the sun sets.
Chapter 8
The Man Who Forgot
A mysterious swagman who claims to have forgotten his identity is taken in by Tom Marshall (The Oracle) at a shearing shed. Despite initial sympathy, the man, dubbed 'Smith,' is eventually discovered to be a thief who has been stealing from the men. The Oracle confronts him and recovers the stolen goods.
Chapter 9
Hungerford
The narrator describes the desolate border town of Hungerford, located on the New South Wales–Queensland frontier, marked by a rabbit-proof fence, scarce resources, poor water, and a general sense of barrenness and hardship. The chapter captures the absurdity of colonial governance, the grim humor of the locals, and the tough conditions faced by swagmen and workers.
Chapter 10
A Camp-Fire Yarn
Mitchell tells a yarn about proposing to an ugly girl out of pity, only to be rejected, then proposing to another as a joke who takes him seriously, forcing him to flee. His mate responds with a tale of a young carpenter forced into marriage by an older, determined woman.
Chapter 11
His Country-After All
A coach journey through New Zealand sparks a heated debate about patriotism and national identity, as an Australian-born traveler vehemently criticizes his homeland only to be moved by the sight and scent of gum trees, revealing a deep, conflicted attachment to Australia.
Chapter 12
A Day on a Selection
A detailed, humorous, and ironic depiction of a typical day on a struggling New South Wales selection, focusing on the harsh, monotonous labor of farming, the dilapidated state of the property, and the family's futile attempts at maintaining order while engaging in intellectual conversation about social and political issues.
Chapter 13
That There Dog o’ Mine
Macquarie the shearer, injured in a drunken brawl, refuses hospital treatment unless his dog Tally, also injured, is admitted. He delivers a passionate speech about the dog's loyalty and companionship over twelve hard years, ultimately convincing the staff to treat both.
Chapter 14
Going Blind
The narrator meets Jack Gunther, a blind bushman, at a cheap boarding house in Sydney. They bond over shared memories of the bush, and Jack recounts his gradual loss of sight and his hopes for a future despite his disability. His brother Joe arrives to take him home, providing a touching display of care and loyalty.
Chapter 15
Arvie Aspinall's Alarm Clock
A touching story about a poor boy named Arvie Aspinall who works at Grinder Bros factory. After being found asleep on the factory steps early one morning, a benevolent society lady (later revealed to be a daughter of the Grinder family) buys him an alarm clock. Despite being ill with a cold, Arvie insists on going to work to support his family. He sets the alarm, but the clock malfunctions or is tampered with by his mother, and Arvie dies in his sleep, his eyes staring upward.
Chapter 16
Stragglers
The chapter depicts the harsh, impoverished lives of itinerant shearers and swagmen resting in a rough bush hut during the off-season. It describes the squalid conditions, the constant struggle for food and water, the camaraderie and lies exchanged among the men, and the desperate state of 'The Exception' and 'The Wreck.' The narrative emphasizes the necessity of constant walking to survive and the bleakness of their existence.
Chapter 17
The Union Buries Its Dead
The narrator recounts the funeral of a young Union labourer who drowned while swimming horses across a billabong. The funeral is a sparse, almost farcical affair, attended by strangers who drink, fight, and dance jigs before the hearse arrives. The procession is small, the burial hasty, and the dead man's identity uncertain—he is buried under the name James Tyson, though that is not his real name. The story reflects on the impersonal nature of death in the bush, the hollow rituals of Union solidarity, and the indifference of the living.
Chapter 18
On the Edge of a Plain
Mitchell tells his mate about returning home after eight years away, having been mistakenly reported dead. His family's mourning turns to joy, and he swears on the Bible never to leave again—but after a week, they start complaining he can't find work, so he leaves.
Chapter 19
In a Dry Season
The narrator describes the bleak, monotonous landscape of the New South Wales western line during a drought, the poverty and isolation of railway towns, and the hard lives of swagmen, shearers, and the unemployed. He encounters a boastful bush liar who is quickly put down by a quiet bushman, and observes the grim realities of bush life, including death as a cheerful contrast.
Chapter 20
He’d Come Back
A city bushman tells a yarn in a travellers' hut about deserting his wife, getting involved with another woman, struggling with drink, and eventually returning to his wife after years of guilt and hardship. His wife's simple, weary greeting—'Well, so you’ve come back'—leaves a deep impression on the listeners, though the narrator later deserts her again, this time intentionally.
Chapter 21
Another of Mitchell’s Plans for the Future
Mitchell outlines a detailed fantasy of returning to the farming districts along the Lachlan River, where he plans to charm a farmer's daughter, secure a job, shear the farmer's sheep, and eventually be pressured into marriage with the promise of a farm and a cash settlement.
Chapter 22
Steelman
Steelman is a relentless and manipulative deadbeat who imposes himself on old friends, particularly married ones who have settled down. He ignores all hints to leave, manipulates situations to stay, and even physically overpowers his host when confronted. The chapter illustrates his cunning and the helplessness of his victims.
Chapter 23
Drifted Back
A stranger returns to a small town after fifteen years, hoping to reconnect with old friends, only to find that most have died, moved away, or changed beyond recognition. He learns that Ben Hake is dead, the M'Lachlans are gone, Jimmy Nowlett is unknown, and Mary Wild is married. Disheartened, he declines an invitation to stay for Christmas and drifts back out of town.
Chapter 24
Remailed
This chapter reflects on the old Australasian custom of remailing newspapers between mates, detailing the careful process of reading, folding, addressing, and sending papers across great distances. It explores the emotional and intellectual connections maintained through this practice, including marking articles that support old arguments or recall shared memories, such as a past love named Lily King.
Chapter 25
Mitchell Doesn’t Believe in the Sack
Mitchell declares that if he ever gets a job again, he will stick to it indefinitely and refuses to accept being sacked. He outlines a plan to ignore his boss's dismissal and continue working and eating at the job until the boss gives in and finds him regular work.
Chapter 26
Shooting the Moon
Jack Mitchell tells a yarn about a time he and a stranger named Tom had to sneak out of a pub without paying, only to be caught by the landlord who, instead of punishing them, offered them food, drink, and money. The story highlights themes of mateship and the unexpected kindness of strangers.
Chapter 27
His Father's Mate
The chapter follows Tom Mason, a silent and hard-working fossicker haunted by a tragic past involving the loss of his brother and son to the law, and his present life with his young son Isley on the goldfields. Through flashbacks, we see his brother taken for manslaughter, his son arrested for robbery, his wife's death from shame, and his current struggle to protect Isley from a similar fate. The narrative also introduces Long Tom Hopkins, a one-eyed, good-natured digger who befriends Isley, and culminates in a tragic accident where Isley falls down the mine shaft.
Chapter 28
An Echo from the Old Bark School
The schoolmaster calls the roll on the first Monday after the holidays, and when he calls the name of Mary Wild, a solemn hush falls over the class. Janet Wild sobs heartbrokenly, and the master regretfully acknowledges his mistake. The galoot of the school breaks the silence by cheerfully answering 'Dead—sir!' and later asks what 'D' stands for, earning a sharp rebuke from Jim Bullock.
Chapter 29
The Shearing of the Cook’s Dog
The shearers play a prank on the cook, Curry, by shearing his poodle dog, leaving it with only a moustache and a tuft on its tail. The cook is deeply offended and delivers a heartfelt complaint, but eventually reveals his real concern: that people in Bourke will think he is a flash man for having a trimmed dog.
Chapter 30
“Dossing Out” and “Camping”
This chapter contrasts the harsh reality of sleeping on Sydney's streets ('dossing out') with the relative freedom of camping in the Australian bush. It describes the degradation, hunger, and constant police surveillance faced by the urban unemployed, and tells the story of a kind man who secretly left food parcels for a shadowy figure, only to discover it was an old mate. The chapter ends with a vivid sketch of an old man carefully preparing his ragged clothes before sleeping on the pavement.
Chapter 31
Across the Straits
The narrator recounts a rough sea voyage across Cook's Straits from Wellington to Picton on an old, poorly maintained steamer. He describes losing a half-sovereign, the discomfort of the journey, and the grim conditions aboard. The chapter ends with his arrival in Picton, where he wires a friend for money and writes the sketch.
Chapter 32
The Drover’s Wife
A bushwoman and her four children face the threat of a snake that has hidden under their isolated slab house. While her husband is away droving, she must protect her family alone, drawing on her past experiences of fighting fire, flood, and other dangers. Through the long night, she keeps watch on the kitchen table, reflecting on her harsh life and the loneliness of the bush, until at dawn the snake emerges and she and her dog kill it.
Chapter 33
Steelman's Pupil
Steelman takes the hapless Smith under his wing, attempting to teach him the art of 'battling round' and cadging. After a series of lessons and staged performances, Smith eventually shows some improvement, but later relapses, leading Steelman to express disgust and reluctantly give him money. The chapter ends with Smith pawning Steelman's overcoat and proudly claiming to have reformed, while Steelman takes credit for teaching him.
Chapter 34
An Unfinished Love Story
Brook returns to his childhood selection after fifteen years in the city, where he meets Lizzie, a plain, serious girl studying to be a schoolteacher. Over a few days, a tentative romance develops between them, marked by awkward silences, physical intimacy, and a brief emotional goodbye. Brook leaves, and Lizzie is said to have broken her heart afterward.
Chapter 35
Board and Residence
The narrator describes the grim experience of an unemployed man living in a boarding house run by Mrs. Jones, highlighting the poor food, the landlady's incessant chatter, and the oppressive atmosphere of poverty and hopelessness.
Chapter 36
His Colonial Oath
The narrator encounters an old schoolmate upcountry who has changed greatly, with a bristly red beard and a terse, repetitive manner of speaking. The conversation is stilted, with the schoolmate responding almost exclusively with 'My oath!' and 'My blooming oath!' The narrator tries to bridge the gap by adopting a rough bush vernacular, but the exchange remains awkward. The schoolmate mentions that Mr. B. finished his education, and the narrator reflects on how out of touch he has become with the bush after living in the city for years.
Chapter 37
Some Day
Mitchell, in a rare sentimental mood, recounts a lost love from his youth—a girl named Edie Brown who clearly loved him but whom he failed to pursue due to his own insecurity and poverty. Years later, still tramping the roads with no prospects, he reflects bitterly on the 'some day' promises that never come true, embodying the despair and resignation of a life worn down by hardship.
Chapter 38
A Visit of Condolence
Bill Anderson visits the home of Arvie Aspinall to warn him about his job, only to discover that Arvie has died. He offers awkward condolences to Mrs. Aspinall, reflecting on shared poverty and loss.
Chapter 39
In a Wet Season
The narrator describes a grim train journey through the Australian outback during relentless rain, observing the desolate landscape, swagmen, and impoverished travelers. After a long wait for a cattle train pass, the narrator endures a miserable night in a damp compartment before finally reaching the clearer weather of Orange and Sydney.
Chapter 40
Rats
Three shearers—Sunlight, Macquarie, and Milky—come upon an old man named Rats who appears to be fighting his own swag. They humor him by staging a mock boxing match between Rats and the swag, which Rats wins. Afterward, Rats fishes imaginatively on dry land, catching imaginary cod and bream. The shearers give him food and money before leaving him still fishing and later quarreling with his swag again.
Chapter 41
Mitchell: A Character Sketch
Mitchell, a self-assertive and diplomatic swagman, successfully negotiates with a station manager for rations by outsmarting the cook and taking a hindquarter of mutton instead of the offered forequarter, demonstrating his resourcefulness and charm.
Chapter 42
The Bush Undertaker
On a scorching Christmas Day, an old shepherd and his dog Five Bob discover the mummified corpse of a man he identifies as Brummy. The old man, acting as an impromptu undertaker, wraps the body in bark and carries it home, reflecting on Brummy's wasted life and his own luck in finding a nearly full bottle of rum.
Chapter 43
Our Pipes
Jack Mitchell and the narrator, exhausted after a long, hot tramp, camp under the moon and share a reflective conversation about smoking. Mitchell recounts his youthful attempts to smoke in secret, his mother's persistent efforts to stop him, and the eventual bond he formed with his father over a quiet pipe.
Chapter 44
Coming Across—A Study in the Steerage
The chapter describes the experiences of steerage passengers on a voyage from Australia to New Zealand, focusing on the hardships, social pretenses, and camaraderie among the travelers. It highlights the plight of grass widows, the shame of poverty, and the bittersweet farewell to Australia, while also depicting drunken arguments, storytelling, and the underlying anxiety about finding work in a new land.
Chapter 45
Two Dogs and a Fence
Mitchell uses the behavior of dogs on opposite sides of a fence as an allegory for human conflict, exploring how pride, misunderstanding, and the inability to retaliate can escalate trivial disagreements into full-blown hostility, while noting that the same parties might become friends if they met under different circumstances.
Chapter 46
Jones's Alley
This chapter portrays the desperate life of Mrs. Aspinall, a haggard woman living in Jones's Alley who works tirelessly cleaning offices and washing to support her sickly children while living in fear of her second husband's return. Her landlord refuses repairs until a ceiling collapse injures her child, leading to a dispute over repair bills and mounting debts. She encounters Bill, a newsboy, who shares his own hard-luck story and offers advice.
Chapter 47
Brummy Usen
An old swagman tells stories of bushmen who were reported dead but later turned up alive, including Billy Nowlett, Joe Swallow, and Brummy Usen. The tale of Brummy Usen involves a case of mistaken identity after a bushranger is shot and buried, only for the real Brummy to reappear and be disbelieved. The narrator and his companion are unsettled when the old man reveals a tattoo matching the one described in the story.
Chapter 48
Bogg of Geebung
The chapter tells the story of Bogg, a drunkard and 'well-known character' in Geebung, who is revealed to have been a classical scholar. After a group of larrikins spy on him and see him tenderly handling mementos of a lost love, they decide to leave him alone. Bogg is later found drowned, presumed suicide, and the local paper reports it with detached indifference.
Chapter 49
She Wouldn’t Speak
Two rough shearers, the narrator and his mate Dave, enter a pub dining room where a well-dressed group of jackaroos is being served by a pretty servant girl. Despite the girl's cheerful demeanor with the swells, she refuses to speak a single word to the two dusty swaggies. Dave takes it as a challenge and tries various conversational gambits and even excessive tea-drinking to provoke a response, but the girl remains silent throughout. After drinking an absurd amount of tea, the men finally give up and leave, the girl having never spoken to them.
Chapter 50
The Geological Spieler
Steelman, posing as a geologist named Mr. Stoneleigh, and his accomplice Smith con a railway work crew into offering them free accommodation. Steelman delivers a pseudo-scientific lecture on geology, while Smith entertains the men, and they are welcomed into the camp for the night.
Chapter 51
Macquarie's Mate
In Stiffner's shanty, a group of men disparage the absent shearer Macquarie, calling him a scoundrel and a bully. Old Awful Example, a drunken wreck, defends Macquarie as his mate, insisting he was not a sneak or liar. The tension escalates as Awful Example reveals Macquarie is dead, then declares his mate is still alive. A scuffle breaks out, but Macquarie himself quietly appears and stops the fight, causing Barcoo to flee.
Chapter 52
Baldy Thompson
A portrait of Baldy Thompson, a squatter of the old order who has experienced every stage of bush life from new chum to bank victim. Known for his gruff demeanor, political obsessions, and contradictory generosity, he is a hard case who grumbles about the country yet provides tucker and work to swagmen, especially those who engage him in political argument. The chapter recounts anecdotes of shearers pranking him, a jackaroo mistaking him for a rouseabout, and the narrator's own successful appeal for a sovereign by feigning agreement with his views.
Chapter 53
For Auld Lang Syne
The narrator reflects on the departures of his mates from the 'mountain push' as they leave Sydney for better opportunities elsewhere, starting with the first mate who sails for Maoriland. The chapter captures the deep bonds of mateship, the shared hardship of unemployment, and the ritual of farewells marked by drink, song, and small gifts. One by one, the mates leave—some to escape debt and sorrow, others to seek fortune—until the narrator himself contemplates emigration, hoping to find his mates waiting for him 'over there.'
