The Three Drunk Shearers
The names of the three drunk shearers are unknown. Although not a part of the funeral procession, they are bystanders to the funeral procession. In spite of their inebriation, two of the shearers immediately pay their respects by “covering their right ears with their hats.” However, the third shearer has to be physically reminded to pay respects with the help of a kick. The narrator notes that the third drunk made a great effort to gather his composure and show his respects. The third drunk did indeed gain his composure as his took off his hat and placed it atop his foot.
The Priest
The Priest is another anonymous figure who has no name. The narrator describes the Priest as a “quiet young fellow.” Another member of the funeral party calls him the “Devil.” The Priest is similarly characterized as being passive, dismissive, or nonchalant as one of the funeral goers blatantly disrespects the funeral procession.
The Publican
This character is a fellow funeral goer. According to the narrator, he has a big bull neck and heavy features. Although he is an important figure in the community, many of the men hold him in contempt for his desire to curry favor with the church, represented at the funeral by his insistence on holding the priest's hat over his head to shield him from the non-existent sunlight.
The Narrator
Much about the narrator is unknown. The narrator never reveals his name or any other identifying information about himself. All that is known about the narrator is that he briefly met and interacted with the deceased shortly before the deceased’s untimely death.
James John Tyson
James Tyson is the supposed name of the man whose funeral dominates the plot of the story. The narrator and his friends first meet this character in the initial scene of the text, when he is attempting to drive horses across the Darling River. Later, the man dies in this effort. He is identified only by the union card found in his belongings; he has no other sentimental possessions. This name, however, is later discovered to be incorrect. The true identity of the deceased remains unknown at the end of the story.
The Narrator's Friend
The narrator describes his walking companion as a "tall, sentimental drover," who cynically quotes verses and makes dark wisecracks as the funeral party proceeds. It is the narrator's friend who points out the name on the coffin—James John Tyson—and reminds the narrator that they met the deceased in life only the day before.
The Strange Horseman
Along the route of the funeral procession, the men come across a horseman, who is assumed to have just returned from a long trip herding livestock. The horseman initially follows the funeral procession down the dusty road, but eventually realizes what is going on, and turns around. He is described as "a stranger to the whole show."
