# Macquarie — While the Billy Boils character guide

> Macquarie in While the Billy Boils by Henry Lawson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Macquarie⁠

**First appearance:** 0051-macquarie-s-mate

## Snapshot

An absent shearer whose name ignites a shanty brawl, defended by a ruined drunkard who insists his old mate was never a sneak or a liar.

## Who they are

Macquarie never appears in the bar of Stiffner's shanty, yet his reputation drives the men there to insults and near-blows, with Barcoo calling him a cheat and a blackguard. Old Awful Example, a sodden wreck who once partnered Macquarie, staggers up to defend him with the one point he can muster: Macquarie never talked about a man behind his back. The standoff that follows, and the quiet voice that finally breaks it, turns a missing man into the moral centre of the yarn.

## In the story

### [While the Billy Boils](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/while-the-billy-boils)

Known for refusing hospital treatment without his dog, highlighting the bond between man and animal.

### [That There Dog o’ Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/that-there-dog-o-mine)

Injured shearer who refuses hospital admission without his dog.

### [Rats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/rats)

A big shearer who supports Rats in the mock fight and hurries to see the supposed fight.

### [Macquarie's Mate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/macquarie-s-mate)

Absent shearer being discussed; later appears quietly to defend his mate.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/characters/macquarie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/characters