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The Gold Hunters' Adventures; Or, Life in Australia

by William Henry Thomes · English · Gutenberg #16050 · 1,662,994 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: The Gold Hunters' Adventures; Or, Life in Australia

Author: William Henry Thomes

Illustrator: James Wells Champney


        
Release date: June 13, 2005 [eBook #16050]
                Most recently updated: December 11, 2020

Language: English

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THE GOLD HUNTER'S ADVENTURES

Or, Life in Australia

by

WILLIAM H. THOMES
A Returned Australian

Illustrated by Champney

BOSTON:
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.
NEW YORK:
CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM.







[Illustration]




CONTENTS.


  INTRODUCTION

  CHAPTER I.
  FIRST THOUGHTS OF GOING TO AUSTRALIA.--DEPARTURE FROM CALIFORNIA.--LIFE
  ON BOARD SHIP.--ARRIVAL AT WILLIAMS
  TOWN.--DESCRIPTION OF MELBOURNE.--A CONVICT'S HUT.

  CHAPTER II.
  A MORNING IN AUSTRALIA.--JOURNEY TO THE MINES OF BALLARAT.--THE
  CONVICT'S STORY.--BLACK DARNLEY, THE BUSHRANGER.

  CHAPTER III.
  TRAVELLING IN AUSTRALIA.--AN ADVENTURE WITH SNAKES.--CARRYING
  THE MAILS.

  CHAPTER IV.
  EATING BROILED KANGAROO MEAT.--AUSTRALIAN SPEAKS AND
  AMERICAN RIFLES.

  CHAPTER V.
  THE SOLITARY STOCKMAN.--SHOOTING A KANGAROO.

  CHAPTER VI.
  ADVENTURE WITH A DOG.--THE MURDER IN THE RAVINE.--STORY
  OF AN OUTRAGED WOMAN.

  CHAPTER VII.
  BLACK DARNLEY'S VILLANY.--THE CONVICT STOCKMAN.

  CHAPTER VIII.
  AN EXPEDITION.--A FIGHT WITH BUSHRANGERS.--DEATH OF BLACK
  DARNLEY.

  CHAPTER IX.
  THE STOCKMAN'S DAUGHTER.--MOUNTED POLICE OF MELBOURNE.

  CHAPTER X.
  DESPERATE DEEDS OF TWO CONVICTS.--LIEUT. MURDEN'S STORY.

  CHAPTER XI.
  SAGACITY OF A DOG.--A NIGHT'S ADVENTURES.

  CHAPTER XII.
  DISCOVERY OF A MASONIC RING.--FUNERAL PYRE OF BLACK DARNLEY.

  CHAPTER XIII.
  THE STOCKMAN AND HIS PARROT.--DARING PLOT OF A ROBBER CHIEFTAIN.

  CHAPTER XIV.
  DISCOVERY OF STOLEN TREASURES IN THE STOCKMANS'S CELLAR.

  CHAPTER XV.
  DYING CONFESSION OF JIM GULPIN, THE ROBBER.

  CHAPTER XVI.
  A FORCED MARCH TOWARDS MELBOURNE.

  CHAPTER XVII.
  TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO MELBOURNE.

  CHAPTER XVIII.
  LARGE FIRE IN MELBOURNE.--ENGLISH MACHINES AT FAULT.

  CHAPTER XIX.
  PARDON OF SMITH AND THE OLD STOCKMAN.--GRAND DINNER AT
  THE GOVERNOR'S.

  CHAPTER XX.
  DUEL BETWEEN FRED AND AN ENGLISH LIEUTENANT.

  CHAPTER XXI.
  PREPARATIONS FOR THE SEARCH FOR GULPIN'S BURIED TREASURES.

  CHAPTER XXII.
  DEPARTURE FROM MELBOURNE.--FIGHT WITH THE NATIVES.

  CHAPTER XXIII.
  ARRIVAL AT THE OLD STOCKMAN'S HUT.--MYSTERIOUS INTERRUPTIONS DURING THE
  HUNT.

  CHAPTER XXIV.
  ROBBERY OF THE CART.--CAPTURE OF STEEL SPRING.

  CHAPTER XXV.
  STEEL SPRING'S HISTORY.

  CHAPTER XXVI.
  FINDING OF THE TREASURE.

  CHAPTER XXVII.
  CAPTURE OF ALL HANDS, BY THE BUSHRANGERS.

  CHAPTER XXVIII.
  OPPORTUNE ARRIVAL OF LIEUTENANT MURDEN AND HIS FORCE.--ROUT OF THE
  BUSHRANGERS.

  CHAPTER XXIX.
  REVENGE OF THE BUSHRANGERS.--FIRING OF THE FOREST.

  CHAPTER XXX.
  PERILOUS SITUATION DURING THE FIRE.--STEEL SPRING TURNS
  UP.

  CHAPTER XXXI.
  CAPTURE OF THE BUSHRANGERS, AND DEATH OF NOSEY.

  CHAPTER XXXII.
  RETURN TO THE STOCKMAN'S HUT.--SMITH IN LOVE.

  CHAPTER XXXIII.
  RECOVERY OF THE GOLD.--ARRIVAL AT BALLARAT.

  CHAPTER XXXIV.
  THE BULLY OF BALLARAT.--FRED FIGHTS A DUEL.

  CHAPTER XXXV.
  BALLARAT CUSTOMS, AFTER A DUEL.

  CHAPTER XXXVI.
  ARRIVAL AT BALLARAT.--MR. BROWN'S STORY.

  CHAPTER XXXVII.
  FINDING OF A 110 LB. NUGGET.--CAVING IN OF A MINE.

  CHAPTER XXXVIII.
  INCIDENTS IN LIFE AT BALLARAT.

  CHAPTER XXXIX.
  ATTEMPT OF THE HOUSEBREAKER.--ATTACK BY THE SNAKE.

  CHAPTER XL.
  DEATH OF THE BURGLAR BY THE SNAKE.

  CHAPTER XLI.
  VISIT TO SNAKES' PARADISE.

  CHAPTER XLII.
  FLIGHT FROM THE SNAKES.--ATTACKED BY THE BUSHRANGERS.

  CHAPTER XLIII.
  TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO BALLARAT, WITH THE BUSHRANGERS.

  CHAPTER XLIV.
  THRASHING A BULLY.

  CHAPTER XLV.
  A YOUNG GIRL'S ADVENTURES IN SEARCH OF HER LOVER.

  CHAPTER XLVI.
  A MARRIAGE, AND AN ELOPEMENT.

  CHAPTER XLVII.
  COLLECTING TAXES OF THE MINERS.

  CHAPTER XLVIII.
  MURDEN AND STEEL SPRING ARRIVE FROM MELBOURNE.

  CHAPTER XLIX.
  CATCHING A TARL AS WELL AS A CASSIOWARY.

  CHAPTER L.
  ARRIVAL OF SMITH.--ATTEMPT TO BURN THE STORE.

  CHAPTER LI.
  ATTEMPT TO BURN THE STORE.

  CHAPTER LII.
  THE ATTEMPT TO MURDER MR. CRITCHET.

  CHAPTER LIII.
  OPPORTUNE ARRIVAL OF MR. BROWN.--THEY SEND FOR STEEL SPRING.

  CHAPTER LIV.
  THE WAY THE COLONISTS OBTAIN WIVES IN AUSTRALIA.

  CHAPTER LV.
  ADVENTURES AT DAN BRIAN'S DRINKING-HOUSE.

  CHAPTER LVI.
  ADVENTURES CONTINUED.

  CHAPTER LVII.
  MORE OF THE SAME SORT.

  CHAPTER LVIII.
  CONVALESCENCE OF MR. CRITCHET, AND OUR DISCHARGE FROM THE
  CRIMINAL DOCKET.

  CHAPTER LIX.
  OUR TEAMSTER BARNEY, AND HIS WIFE.

  CHAPTER LX.
  MIKE FINDS THE LARGE "NUGGET."

  CHAPTER LXI.
  THE RESULT OF GROWING RICH TOO RAPIDLY.

  CHAPTER LXII.
  THE FLOUR SPECULATION.--MR. CRITCHET'S STORY.

  CHAPTER LXIII.
  THE SAME, CONTINUED.

  CHAPTER LXIV.
  MR. BROWN'S DISCHARGE FROM THE POLICE FORCE.--BILL SWINTON'S
  CONFESSION.

  CHAPTER LXV.
  THE EXPEDITION AFTER BILL SWINTON'S BURIED TREASURES.

  CHAPTER LXVI.
  JOURNEY AFTER THE BURIED TREASURE.

  CHAPTER LXVII.
  THE HUNT FOR THE BURIED TREASURE.

  CHAPTER LXVIII.
  THE ISLAND GHOST.--NARROW ESCAPE OF MR. BROWN.

  CHAPTER LXIX.
  CAPTURE OF THE GHOST.

  CHAPTER LXX.
  THE GHOST AND THE BUSHRANGERS.

  CHAPTER LXXI.
  SAM TYRELL AND THE GHOST.

  CHAPTER LXXII.
  FINDING THE BURIED TREASURE.

  CHAPTER LXXIII.
  THE ESCAPE FROM THE FIRE.

  CHAPTER LXXIV.
  ARRIVAL AT MR. WRIGHT'S STATION.

  CHAPTER LXXV.
  SUPPER.--RETURN OF MR. WRIGHT'S SCOUTS.

  CHAPTER LXXVI.
  MIKE TUMBLES INTO THE RIVER.--ARRIVAL OF THE BUSHRANGERS.

  CHAPTER LXXVII.
  CAPTURE OF THE BUSHRANGERS.

  CHAPTER LXXVIII.
  PUNISHING THE BULLY.

  CHAPTER LXXIX.
  MR. WRIGHT'S FARM.--DEATH OF KELLY.

  CHAPTER LXXX.
  JOURNEY BACK TO BALLARAT.

  CHAPTER LXXXI.
  STEEL SPRING IN THE FIELD.--ATTEMPT OF THE COMMISSIONER TO
  CONFISCATE OUR HORSES.

  CHAPTER LXXXII.
  SAME CONTINUED.--DEATH OF ROSS.

  CHAPTER LXXXIII.
  ARREST OF FRED.--TRIP TO MELBOURNE, AND ITS RESULTS.




INTRODUCTION.


Since my return from Australia, I have been solicited by a number of
friends to give them a history of my adventures in that land of gold,
where kangaroos are supposed to be as plenty as natives, and jump ten
times as far, and where natives are imagined to be continually lying in
ambush for the purpose of making a hearty meal upon the bodies of those
unfortunate travellers who venture far into the interior of the
country--where bushrangers are continually hanging about camp fires,
ready to cut the weasands of those who close their eyes for a
moment--and lastly, where every other man that you meet is expected to
be a convict, transported from the mother country for such petty crimes
as forgery, house-breaking, and manslaughter in the second degree.

My friends have all desired to hear me relate these particulars, and
have honored me with a large attendance at my rooms, and sat late at
night, and drank my wine and water, and smoked my cigars, with a relish
that did me great credit, as it showed that I am something of a
connoisseur in the choice of such luxuries. And then they laughed so
loudly at my jokes, no matter how poor they were, that, for a few days
after my arrival home, I really thought the air of Australia had
improved and sharpened my wit.

I should, no doubt, have continued feasting those who listened so
patiently to my yarns, had not a sudden idea entered my head, one night,
when the company were the most boisterous. I was in the act of raising a
glass of wine to my mouth, when it occurred to me that before I left
this country for Australia, via California, scarcely one of those
present had assembled on the dock to bid me farewell.

I placed the untasted wine upon the table again, lighted a cigar, and
was soon buried in smoke and reflection. I thought of the time when I
had not money enough to pay my passage to the Golden State--of the
exertions I had made to raise the amount necessary, and the many
refusals that I had met with at the hands of those who now professed to
be my friends.

I blew aside the smoke that enveloped my head, and fixed my eyes upon
one red-faced cousin, who owned bank shares, and bought stocks when low,
and sold them when a rise had taken place. He had laughed at me for my
impertinence in supposing that he could loan me money, and now he was
seated at my table, chuckling at my jokes, and swearing, while he helped
himself to liquor, that I was the best fellow alive, and that there was
nothing but what he would do for me.

Could it be possible that the possession of fifty or sixty thousand
dollars had wrought such a change? I was forced to believe it, and I
grew sad at the thought, and no more jokes escaped my lips that night;
but the company remained as late as usual, and declared by a unanimous
vote that they would meet again at the same place the next evening, and
hear further particulars.

Before sunset the next day I had changed my apartments, and taken
private lodgings with a friend who had visited me but once since my
return, and had then refused to accept of the hospitalities that I was
disposed to offer him. He had lent me money without security--he had
declined taking interest for the same--he had welcomed me on my arrival
as warmly as I expected--he did not ask me how much dust I had brought
back and he never said a word about his wish to be repaid the few
hundred dollars that he had advanced me when I left home to seek my
fortune. When I did offer him the money, and thrust a diamond ring upon
his finger as a token of my esteem, he blushed like a young school girl,
and declared that he didn't deserve it.

At his house, then, I took up my abode; and while his family treat me
with respect, they possess none of the fawning which characterizes my
other friends. As the latter have frequently expressed their sorrow for
my sudden removal, and their anxiety to know what events befell me in
the mines of Australia, I have come to the conclusion that I would put
them in print; and now those who used to drink my liquor and feast at my
table will learn how I acquired my fortune, and then, if so disposed,
they can follow in my footsteps and gain a competence for themselves.

This much I have told the reader in confidence, and with the hope that
it will not be repeated, as my red-faced cousin, who every day is to be
seen on 'Change, might be seriously angry if he was suspected of
mercenary motives. With this introduction I will commence my narrative.




LIFE IN AUSTRALIA;

OR,

A GOLD HUNTER'S ADVENTURES.




CHAPTER I.

FIRST THOUGHTS OF GOING TO AUSTRALIA.--DEPARTURE FROM CALIFORNIA.--LIFE
ON BOARD SHIP.--ARRIVAL AT WILLIAMS TOWN.--DESCRIPTION OF MELBOURNE.--A
CONVICT'S HUT.


It was as hot an afternoon on the banks of the American Fork as ever
poor mortals could be subjected to and still retain sufficient vitality
to draw their breath. Under a small tent, stretched upon their backs,
with shirt collars unbuttoned, boots off, and a most languid expression
upon their faces, were two men--both of them of good size, with a fair
display of muscle, broad-chested, hands hard and blackened with toil,
yet not badly formed; for had they been but covered with neat fitting
gloves, and at an opera, ladies might have thought they were small.

These two men, one of whom was reading a newspaper, while the other was
trying to take a _siesta_, were Frederick Button, and his faithful
companion, the writer of these adventures, whom we will distinguish by
the name of Jack, as it is both familiar and common, and has the merit
of being short.

As I was reading the paper, the contents of which interested me, I paid
but little attention to my friend, until I suddenly laid it down, and
said,--

"Fred, let's go to Australia."

"Go to the d----l," he replied, turning on his side, his back towards
me, and uttering a long w-h-e-w, as though he had found it difficult to
catch his breath, it was so hot.

"We should find it hotter in the regions of his Satanic Majesty than
here; but that is something that concerns you alone, as no doubt you are
fully aware."

Fred uttered a grunt--he was too warm to laugh, and I again returned to
the charge.

"Gold mines have been discovered in Australia, and ships are up at San
Francisco for Melbourne. A party of twenty left there last week, and
more are to follow."

There was no reply, and I continued:--

"It is stated in this paper that a man took out a lump of gold weighing
one hundred and twenty pounds, and that he had been but ten days in the
mines when he found it."

"What?" cried Fred, suddenly sitting up, and wiping the perspiration
from his brow.

I repeated the statement.

"It's a d----d lie," cried Fred.

"Then let's go and prove it so."

"How's the climate in that part of the world--hot or cold?"

"About the same as here."

Fred meditated for a few minutes, lighted his pipe, and smoked on in
silence; and as there was nothing better to do. I joined him.

"We are not making a fortune here in California, and if we don't do any
thing in Australia, we shall see the country, and that will be worth
something," I said.

"Then let's go," cried Fred, refilling his pipe; and that very evening
we commenced selling our stock of superfluous articles to our numerous
neighbors, saving nothing but tent, revolvers, rifles, and a few other
articles that would stand us in need when we reached Australia.

A week from the day that we made up our mind to try what luck there was
in store for us in Australia, we were on board of a clipper ship, and
with some two dozen other steerage passengers (for Fred and myself were
determined to be economical) we were passing through the Golden Gate on
our way to a strange land, where we did not possess a friend or
acquaintance that we knew of.

"Well," said Fred, as he stood on deck at the close of the day, and saw
the mountains of California recede from view, "it's precious little fun
I've seen in that country; and if our new home is not more exciting, I
shall be like the Irishman who pined away because he couldn't get up a
fight."

"Don't give yourself any uneasiness on that score," replied the mate,
who chanced to overhear the remark. "I'll warrant that you'll see as
many musses as you'll care to mix in."

"Then, Australia, thou art my home," cried Fred, with a theatrical wave
of his hand, as though bidding adieu to the Golden State forever.

Fred was one of the most peaceable men in the world, and never commenced
a quarrel; but when once engaged in a conflict, he was like a lion, and
would as soon think of yielding as the royal beast.

For nearly fifty days did we roll on the Pacific, amusing ourselves by
playing at "all fours," speculating on the chances of our arrival, and
making small wagers on the day that we should drop anchor; and after we
had all lost and won about an equal amount, we were one morning
overjoyed by the sight of land. Standing boldly in towards a low coast,
with no signs of a harbor, it was not until we were within half a mile
of the shore that we discovered a narrow entrance that opened into
Hobson's Bay; when we dropped anchor opposite to a town consisting of a
dozen or twenty houses, and over one of them floated the flag of
England.

"Well, Mr. Mate," asked Fred, as the men went aloft to furl sails, "do
you call that densely-populated city Melbourne?"

"That!" replied the mate, with a look of contempt at the scattered
houses. "That be d----d. That's Williams Town. Melbourne is a fine city,
seven miles from here, and where all the luxuries of life can be
obtained; but tobacco is the dearest one--so be careful of your weed."

As the officers of the custom house were even then coming on board, we
thanked him for the hint, and put ours out of their reach.

Williams Town is situated at the mouth of the River Zarra, on Hobson's
Bay, and at one time actually threatened to become a place of
considerable importance; but the water for domestic use was too bad to
be tolerated, and most of those who had settled there were glad to
retrace their steps to Melbourne, where a better sort of article exists.

"How are the mines? Do they still hold out?" I inquired of one of the
crew of the custom house boat, who was leaning against the rail in a
languid manner, as though he had been overworked for the past six
months.

"Yes, I s'pose so," he answered; and he spoke as though each word cost
him an immense amount of labor.

"Then, Fred, we are in luck," I cried, turning to my partner who stood
near at hand.

"Intend going to the mines?" the man asked, with a sudden show of
interest.

"Such is our intention," I replied.

"'Mericans, I suppose," he inquired.

"Yes."

"Then don't go if you want to keep the number of your mess," the boatman
said.

"Why not?" Fred ventured to inquire.

"'Cos they kill Yankees at the mines. Jim," he continued, turning to a
comrade, "how many 'Mericans were killed week afore last at Ballarat?"

"O, I don't know," replied the individual referred to. "A dozen or
twenty, I believe. Might have been more or less. I'm not 'ticular within
a man or two."

"Thank you for your information," cried Fred. "And now one question
more. Can you tell me how many Englishmen were killed by those same
Americans, before they died?"

This question appeared to astonish the men; for they looked at each
other, and then examined Fred with scrutinizing glances.

"I guess he'll do," they said, at length; and finding that we were not
to be frightened, they turned their attention to passengers more
credulous, and actually made some of them believe what they said was
true.

The next morning we hired a boat to take our luggage to the wharf, where
the steamers, which ply between Sydney, Geelong, and Melbourne, stop.
Our traps did not amount to much, as we had no money to spare for
freighting, and when we first stepped upon the soil of Australia, our
worldly possessions consisted of four shirts, do. pants, two pairs of
boots, blankets, tents, &c., the whole weighing just one hundred and
fifty pounds--not a large amount, but sufficient for two men, whose
wants were easily supplied.

There were a dozen rough, loaferish looking men, whiling away their time
upon the wharf; but as they confined themselves to simply asking a few
questions as to what part of the world we came from, and received
satisfactory answers, they soon lost all interest in us, and began to
speculate what time the steamer would arrive.

She did not reach the dock until noon; and as we had seen enough of
Williams Town, we readily embarked, and in an hour's time were at
Melbourne, gazing with interest at every thing that met our view.

The city was full of life and business: heaps of goods were exposed
ready for transportation to the mines, and large, lumbering carts of
English build were crawling slowly through the streets, drawn by five
and six yoke of oxen, while the drivers, armed with whips, the lashes of
which were of immense length, though the stock or handle was barely two
and a-half feet long, whirled them over the frightened animals' heads,
and whenever they struck the poor brutes, a small, circular piece of
skin was taken out, leaving the quivering flesh exposed to the sun, and
a prey for the numerous insects that hovered in the air.

We carried our stuff on shore, and then considered what was necessary to
get to the mines; and while we rested upon our bundles, and ate a
portion of the salt junk and biscuit that the cook of the ship had
insisted upon our taking with us, we took a calm survey of
Melbourne--its advantages and disadvantages. The city occupies two sides
of a valley, called East Hill and West Hill, and is well laid out.

The streets are broad, unpaved, and formed so that during the heavy
rains the water will centre into the gutters, which are flagged with a
substantial kind of stone to prevent the sidewalks from washing away
during the rainy season, when the gutters resemble small mountain
torrents, and enough head is obtained to carry half a dozen sawmills.

At the place where we landed there is barely sufficient room for the
steamer to turn round for the bay, or arm, of the River Zarra is small,
and the water shoal. Every available place near the landing was crowded,
however, with crafts of all descriptions, from the light-draughted
schooner to huge launches, with loads of goods which they had received
from ships lying in Hobson's Bay. Altogether, the scene reminded one
very much of San Francisco; and so our spirits rose as we contemplated
the bustle going on.

"Well, my men, are you in want of work?" asked a well-dressed elderly
gentleman, who had arrived in a carriage driven by a coachman in livery,
and a footman, dressed in the same garb. He appeared to own every thing
that he looked at; for we had seen half a dozen men take his orders, and
then proceed to obey them with alacrity.

"We thought we'd try the mines first," I replied, in answer to his
question.

"Hard work--hard work," he said, with a smile. "Americans, I see--smart
men in that country. Hope you'll do well here. Afraid not if you go to
the mines. Want men to help get these goods under shelter. Like to
employ you;" and off he bustled.

"A pretty good sort of man, I guess," remarked Fred.

"I say, stranger," I asked, turning to a person with a cartman's frock
on, who was seated on a box smoking a pipe, "can you tell me who that
gentleman is?"

"I didn't see any gentleman," he answered, without even taking his pipe
from his mouth.

"Why, I mean the one who just spoke to us--the man with the white vest
and gold buttons."

"Him--he's a ticket-of-leave man, and has more money than half of the
merchants in Melbourne," replied the cartman.

"What, that man a convict?" I asked, with surprise.

"Just so--transported for fourteen years for house-breaking. Behaved
himself, and so got liberty to enter into business; and now he is at the
top of the heap. In two years his time will be out, and then he can stay
or go where he pleases."

After this piece of news the convict became an object of curiosity to
us, and we watched him until he entered his carriage and drove off, his
coachman treating him with as much respect as he would the governor
general.

"I say," asked Fred of our new acquaintance, "do all convicts get rich?
Because if they do I want to become one as soon as possible."

"Not all," replied the man; "but some blunder into luck, and others are
shrewd and look after the chances. I don't suppose I shall ever be rich,
although I am doing pretty well."

"And are you a--"

I didn't like to say convict, and so I hesitated.

"O, yes; I was sentenced to ten years' transportation for writing
another man's name instead of my own on a piece of paper."

"That is forgery."

The convict smiled, as much as to say, you have hit it, and continued to
smoke his pipe with infinite satisfaction.

"I should like to know if the company we are likely to meet in the mines
are of the same class?" muttered Fred.

"Most of them," replied the man, who appeared to be a man of education;
"and you'll find them more honest than those never sentenced, because
they know that their freedom depends upon their reputation."

We sat staring at our informant for some time; but after a while he
knocked the ashes from his pipe, and arose as though going.

"If you want your traps taken to the mines at a reasonable rate, I'll do
it for you, as I start to-morrow with a load of goods for Ballarat," he
said, after a moment's hesitation.

"Is that mine productive?" we asked.

"It's as rich as any of them. You may sink a shaft and strike a vein,
and you may get nothing. It's all a lottery."

We consulted together for a few minutes, and concluded to try our
fortunes at Ballarat, and so signified to our acquaintance.

"Then shoulder your traps, and I'll show you my shanty. You can sleep
there to-night, and, let me tell you, it's a favor that I wouldn't grant
to half of my countrymen."

As we considered pride out of place in that country, we readily accepted
his offer, and in a few minutes were walking through the streets of
Melbourne with a convicted felon.

We found his hut to be built of rough boards, with but one room; and the
furniture consisted of a stove, wooden benches, a pine table, and a
curiosity in the shape of a bedstead.

That night we learned more of the customs of the Australians from our
host, who gave the name of Smith as the one which he was to be called
by, than we should have found out by a six months' residence.

Over a bottle of whiskey, which was made in Yankeeland, we spent our
first night in Australia.

"Come," said Smith, about ten o'clock, "it's time we were asleep, for we
start early in the morning, and before to-morrow night you'll not feel
as fresh as you do at present."

As he spoke he removed the whiskey, and in half an hour deep snoring was
the only sound of life in the convict's hut.




CHAPTER II.

A MORNING IN AUSTRALIA.--JOURNEY TO THE MINES OF BALLARAT.--THE
CONVICT'S STORY.--BLACK DARNLEY, THE BUSHRANGER.


"Hallo!" cried a gruff voice, accompanied by a gentle shake, which was
sufficient to arouse Fred and myself from a deep sleep, that was
probably caused by the whiskey.

The time had passed so swiftly that it did not seem an hour since we had
first stretched ourselves upon our blankets on the floor.

We rubbed our eyes and sat up, looking around the Australian's hut,
almost fancying that we were still dreaming. A spluttering tallow candle
was dimly burning, stuck in the neck of a porter bottle, and a fire was
lighted in the old broken stove, on which was hissing a spider filled
with small bits of beef and pieces of potatoes. A sauce pan was doing
duty for a coffee-pot, and the fragrant berry was agreeable to the
nostrils of hungry men. Our host, the convict Smith, after he had
aroused us, seated himself upon a three-legged stool, and was busily
employed stirring up the savory mess, and trying to make a wheezy pipe
draw; and as the tobacco which he was smoking was damp, and the meat was
liable to burn, his time was fully occupied.

"Come, rouse up." Smith said, when he saw that we were awake; and while
he spoke, he was trying to coax a coal into the pipe, but it obstinately
refused to go.

"We'll be off in an hour's time; so I'm getting a little bit of
breakfast ready before we start. Get up, and help me set the table."

We rolled up our blankets, and in a few minutes had drawn the rough
table to the middle of the room, and placed thereupon our tin plates and
quart pots.

As breakfast was not quite ready, I strolled out of doors, and found
that the first streaks of daylight were just visible, and the stars
looked white and silverish. There were no clouds to obscure the sight,
and for a short time I stood watching the gradual changes that were
taking place as the sun edged its way towards the horizon. First long
streaks of a bright golden color were extended like huge arms, and then
they changed to a subdued pink tint that defied the art of a painter to
transfer to canvas. Glorious are the views to be obtained in Australia
at sunrise, and if those of Italy excel them, it must indeed be a land
for poets and painters.

A heavy dew had fallen during the night, and refreshed the aromatic
plants that sprouted beneath my feet; and as they were crushed by my
heavy tread, they yielded up their life with a perfumed breath that
filled the air with fragrance, and made me regret that I had no other
means of locomotion beside my feet.

The heavy rumbling of carts over the dry streets was heard, and an
occasional crack of the dreadful whip and the fierce shout of the driver
proved that there were others stirring as early as ourselves.

"Breakfast is ready," shouted Fred from the door of the hut; and I
retraced my steps to the home of the convict, whom I found still sucking
his pipe and pouring out the coffee.

Our meal was soon over, for the delicacy of civilized life was not
particularly observed, and our long seclusion from the society of
females had rendered us little better than savages, as far as manners
were concerned.

"Now, then, pack up your traps, and he ready for a start. I'll be along
here with my team in half an hour, as my freight is already loaded."

"Rut we shall need provisions for the route," I said.

"Of course you will; but as I have to take some for myself, I'll get a
quantity for you also, and charge just what I pay. At Ballarat you'll
find enough to eat, and men to trust you if short of money."

Smith left to get his cattle, and while absent we washed the tin pans
and got all ready for a start. Our rifles were reloaded, and revolvers
examined, and after we had indulged in the luxury of a smoke, we heard
the voice of the convict shouting in no gentle tones to his oxen, as
they stopped in front of the hut.

"All ready?" asked Smith, coiling up his long whip, at the sight of
which the cattle fairly trembled, and pricked up their ears as though
ready for a stampede.

"All ready," we answered, bringing out our traps and lashing them on the
team.

The coffee pot and skillet were not forgotten, as we calculated if we
met any game they would both be of service. A keg of water, a bottle of
whiskey, a bag of ship bread, a large piece of pork, a few potatoes,
coffee, a bag of flour, and a bag of sugar, were the articles needed for
our long journey to the mines of Ballarat.

Smith locked the door of his hut, hung the key about his neck attached
to a thick cord, and then, uncoiling his dreadful whip, he sounded the
signal for an advance.

The cattle strained at their yokes, and the huge, clumsy, English-built
team creaked over the road, and groaned as though offering strong
remonstrance against the journey.

There were five yoke of oxen attached to the cart, and as they were in
fair condition and had not been worked for a few days, they took the
load along the level road at a brisk walk; and it was not until we had
got beyond the city's limits and left Melbourne in the distance, that
the animals fell into their accustomed steady walk.

"I suppose that there is but little use in our carrying our rifles in
our hands?" I asked of Smith, as he walked by the side of the cattle.

"I have been waiting for you to ask the question ever since we left
Melbourne," Smith replied; "I thought I wouldn't say any thing until you
got tired of carrying them. There is but little fear of our meeting with
bushrangers so near the city; and as for game, we may see some, but not
within rifle range. Put your guns in the cart, and don't touch them
until we camp to-night."

We gladly followed his advice, for the sun had risen, and began
scorching us with its rays, although, when we started, the air was quite
cool, and a jacket was not uncomfortable.

"How far is Geelong from Melbourne?" I asked, after we had relieved
ourselves of the rifles.

"Between fifty and sixty miles."

"Do we pass near the town?"

"No, we branch off near Mount Macedonskirt, the range of mountains by
that name, and which you can see in the distance; cross a barren tract
of country, where no water but sink-holes is to be found for forty
miles; strike the mines of Victoria; and then we are near the gold
fields of Ballarat."

"Where I hope we shall make a fortune and return to Melbourne in less
than six months," Fred cried.

"Amen," ejaculated Smith; but he smiled as he thought what a slight
chance there was of our prayers being answered.

We met some half a dozen teams on their way back to Melbourne from the
mines, and we surveyed the drivers as we would rare animals, for they
were covered with a thick coating of white dust that had filled their
hair and whiskers, and looked as though a bushel of corn meal had been
scattered over their heads.

Each cart contained two or more invalids, who appeared, by their
dejected air, to have taken farewell of the world, and didn't think it
worth while attempting to live any longer; and when a question was asked
them, it was with great reluctance that they returned an answer, and if
they did speak, it was in tones so faint that with difficulty they could
be understood.

Three times did the convict stop his cart to supply some little luxury
to the invalids; and while he declined payment for his refreshments, it
did not prevent him from requesting the sick men to say, when they
reached Melbourne, that they had been befriended by himself. We were
struck by this peculiarity, and as soon as the team's moved on, we
resolved to inquire the reason.

"Why are you so particular that those men should mention your name for
the charities that you perform?" asked Fred.

Smith smiled, but it was of the melancholy sort of mirth, and did not
come from his heart. He hesitated, as though considering whether he
should make a full expression or reserve his confidence. At length he
said,--

"I told you that I was sentenced to transportation for ten years. Five
of them have passed, and I am at liberty to trade on my own account, yet
liable at any moment to be remanded back to my old station, and work
worse than a slave on the docks, or at any menial employment. I have so
far managed very well. I have saved money, and own shares in the Royal
Bank of Melbourne, besides two good houses that are paying me a large
percentage. The property is mine, and government cannot touch a penny of
it; yet I would willingly give all that I possess to be at liberty to
call myself a free man, and to know that I am no longer watched by those
in power. When I received my sentence I determined upon the course I
would adopt. I never murmured at my work, no matter how disagreeable it
was--I was respectful and obedient, and after a year's hardship I was
favorably reported at head quarters, and was then allowed to live with a
man who kept cattle, and had made a fortune as a drover. I served him
faithfully for two years, and upon his report I was allowed a ticket of
leave, and commenced business for myself. I am comparatively a free man;
but if any unfavorable report should be heard concerning me, farewell to
my present liberty. For five long years I should be used like a brute,
and before my term expired I should be in a felon's grave; for a man
must possess a constitution of iron to endure the tasks that are
inflicted upon a convict remanded back to the tender mercies of
overseers whose hearts are harder than the ball and chain which many of
their prisoners wear."

"And you really think that the relief you afford to those returned
miners will be heard of, and that it will mitigate your sentence?"

"Certainly. The poor fellows will go to the hospital, and while there I
shall be held in grateful remembrance. The physician will hear of my
name, and one of these days I hope to receive a full pardon. But whether
I do or not, I shall be conscious that I have done my duty, and in some
measure atoned for the crime that I committed."

Smith cracked his long whip to let the oxen know that he was not asleep,
and the cattle, rousing from their snail pace at the sound of the
scourge, accelerated their steps, and strained at their yokes as though
they would tear them from their necks.

We remained silent while getting over a mile of the dusty road; but, as
the oxen fell into their slow pace again, we renewed the conversation.

"You think that the system of letting convicts have leave tickets is a
good one, then?" we asked.

"In some cases I think that it works well; but all men are not alike,
and while some play the hypocrite and profess good conduct, others are
never allowed their liberty because they brood over their past life so
much that they never smile. They are marked as sullen and discontented,
and are worked until their spirits are broken, and they no longer hope
for freedom. The energy and enterprise of liberated felons have
increased the trade of Australia until she is no longer a burden to the
mother country, and I hope, before I die, to see this island conducted
as an independent government. It would be better for England, and I need
not tell you how much better it would be for us."

"Are the bushrangers, that we hear so much about, really dangerous
fellows to meet?" we asked.

"They are the very scum of the great cities of England--desperate men
who are usually sentenced for life, and therefore have no hope of mercy;
and many of them desire none. As soon as they can effect an escape they
do so, and fleeing to the wilds of the island, either join a band of
ruffians like themselves, or else, fearful of trusting to men that are
as treacherous as wolves, will roam without companions for many days,
living upon sheep, which are easily obtained from herds without the
knowledge of the shepherds, and very often with their consent, to be at
last betrayed and shot by the very man who was trusted most. There are
hundreds of them upon the very route that we must take, and every day
there are murders and robberies committed, and all the vigilance of the
guard, who escort gold dust from the mines to Melbourne, is necessary to
insure its protection.

"Teams like our own, however, are most attended to, and if we should
wake up in the night, and by the light of the camp fire see half a dozen
ferocious-looking fellows standing over us, it would be better to let
them take what they want, and go their way in peace, than to trust to an
appeal to arms or oppose them. Once rouse them to anger, and our lives
would not be worth a sixpence; for they think no more of shedding the
blood of a man than they would that of a sheep."

"I think it would be better to give them a trial than be robbed,
especially when we possess weapons like these," cried Fred, touching his
revolver, which he carried in a belt around his waist.

Smith looked at my companion for a moment in silence, as though trying
to satisfy himself whether Fred was in earnest, or only talking because
danger was remote.

"I've carried many men to the mines," he said at length, "and been
robbed some half a dozen times; but I always found that while my
passengers were firm for resistance at the beginning of the journey, yet
at night a different opinion was formed, and the boldest has consented
to give up a shirt or pair of boots without a murmur."

Fred laughed good naturedly, and spoke jestingly in reply.

"That was because you never freighted Americans. Englishmen may consent
to have their boots pulled off, but Yankees would be apt to
remonstrate."

"I hope that we shall have no occasion to test your courage," said
Smith; "but if we meet Black Darnley, I shall not blame you for keeping
quiet."

"And who is Black Darnley?" we asked.

"An escaped convict, who has been at large for three years; and, in
spite of the two hundred pounds reward, no one has ventured to attempt
his capture. He swears that he will never be taken alive, and he will
keep his word. He has no fear of two or even three ordinary men, for he
possesses the strength of a Hercules and the desperation of a wounded
tiger. Of all the bushrangers on the island, he is the worst; and yet he
always treats me well, and lets me pass without levying toll, for he and
I are old acquaintances, and often have a social chat together about
times gone by."

"Tell us where you first met him," we said, crowding nearer the convict
to hear his story.

"Wait until we halt for a rest and feed the cattle. Half a mile from
here is a small stream of water, and under the shade of some trees near
at hand, we'll boil our coffee, and then I'll tell you about my first
meeting with Black Darnley."

As it was about noon, and we had travelled near twelve miles, the
proposed halt was any thing but disagreeable. Besides, the sun was
nearly overhead, burning and scorching us with its intense rays, and
causing the oxen to protrude their tongues and drag their weary feet
along as though they hardly possessed life enough to reach the water
spoken of.

A sharp crack of Smith's whip and the cattle started into life again;
and as he continued to flourish the dreaded lash over their heads, they
kept up their speed until we reached the stream, which slowly trickled
through dry plains, with scorched grass and withered shrubs; but, near
the banks of the river, which during the rainy season became a mighty
torrent, green trees and rank grass afforded an agreeable shade from the
burning sun.

The cattle were unyoked, and allowed to wander where they pleased, Smith
being confident of finding them near the water when he got ready to
start.

"Black Darnley, as he is called, owing to his swarthy complexion," began
Smith, after a fire was made, and water for the coffee started to
boiling, "was transported in the same ship as myself; but our conduct
during the passage to Australia was widely different, he was rebellious,
and I docile. He was half the time wearing irons, and when free from
fetters endeavoring to create a mutiny. I never meditated any such
project, and threatened one time to disclose his plans if he did not
give them up.

"He swore vengeance against me, and after that I always avoided him. Six
different times during the passage he was severely flogged, and when
that was found to have no effect, he was starved into a respectful
demeanor; but as soon as he had recruited his exhausted strength, he
would again commence his old career of insolence, and once more be
punished. He is a strong man, and stands nearly six feet six, with
shoulders broad and arms covered with muscle, while not a pound of
surplus flesh is on his body. Before he committed the crime for which he
was transported, he was a prize-fighter; but having lost a battle, he
turned his attention to house-breaking, as an agreeable diversion from
his former course of life. He was betrayed by a comrade, and sentenced
for fourteen years. He will never live to see his sentence expire; for,
cunning as he is, his day of capture will not long be delayed.

"Upon our arrival at Sydney, he was branded with a black mark against
his name, and the most laborious work was his daily task, besides the
privilege of dragging a chain and ball after him. He managed to secrete
a knife about his person one day, and when the guard the next morning
ordered him to perform some heavy work, he struck the man to the heart
with his weapon, broke his chain, and fled.

"A horse standing near the dock where he was employed, he mounted, and
escaping the shower of balls that flew after him, and defying all
opposition, he reached the wilds of Australia.

"It was a bold strike for liberty, and only one time in a thousand could
it be achieved.

"Before he effected his escape I had been taken into the service of a
man who owned large herds of sheep, and on one of his immense tracts of
land was I stationed to look after a flock of nearly ten thousand. I in
fact became a stockman, and lived a solitary life, with no one to speak
to unless it was to those who brought me a few necessary articles once a
month, and then departed to supply other stations.

"I was not discontented with my lot, and yet at times I longed to see a
human face and hear a voice speak in my native tongue. I used to receive
visits occasionally from the miserable natives, who hang around a sheep
station; but as I never encouraged their intrusions, and watched their
doings with a sharp eye, they generally avoided me. Twice they tried to
murder me, but I was wary and escaped.

"The hut in which I lived was built of logs, plastered on the outside
with clay to keep out the rain, and contained one room, with a
fireplace, a bed made of sheep skins, a table and two stools. The door
was a stout one, made expressly to resist a siege in case the natives
grew vicious, and was secured on the inside by a large bar.

"I have been thus particular in my description of my habitation, because
one night, when the rain was pouring down in torrents, and the wind beat
against the hut as though it would take it from its foundation, I was
startled by hearing a loud knock at the door.

"I had been sitting before the fire for a long time, trying to picture
out my future life, for my past was already too well known, when the
summons disturbed me. I started to my feet, and sought the door, where
my dog was already snuffing and uttering angry growls, as though
suspicious that the person on the outside was not exactly such a guest
as his master would wish for in that lonely habitation. While I was
uncertain what to do, another knock, louder than the first, startled the
dog into a howl; but I hushed his noise, and taking down my gun, that
hung over my bed, I asked what was wanted.

"'In the name of God give me shelter,' cried a voice that I thought I
recognized, although I could not call to mind where I had heard it.

"'Who are you?' I asked.

"'A stranger who has been to various stations for the purpose of buying
cattle, and has lost his way. Give me shelter for the night, and God
will reward you.'

"The latter part of the solicitation sounded as though uttered in a
hypocritical tone, and I was undecided whether to comply with the
request, or send him to the next station, about ten miles distant. A
fresh gust of wind influenced me; I slipped off the bar and opened the
door; but next moment I would have given all the sheep under my charge
to have had my guest where he was five minutes previous, with the oak
bar across the door; for by the flickering fire that blazed upon the
hearth I saw that my visitor was Black Darnley.

"He was greatly altered since I had seen him last. His clothes hung in
tatters about his body, while his large feet were shoeless and bleeding
profusely: but the fire of his black eyes was unquenched, and the bony
form, still upright in spite of the hard labor to which he had been
subjected, gave assurance, to my dismay, that he still possessed his
giant strength.

"The instant he entered the hut he closely scrutinized my face, and then
cast hurried glances around the room to see if I were alone. Satisfied
that I was, he strode to the fire, and seated himself near its cheerful
blaze.

"'I have seen your face somewhere,' he said, looking at me keenly.

"'I should think you would remember it,' I replied, 'for we were both
passengers in the same ship.'

"He started up with a fearful oath, and would have rushed upon me; but I
brought my gun to my shoulder, and kept him at bay.

"'I remember you now,' he said, and seemed inclined to dash at me in
spite of the weapon which I held in my hand. 'You are the one that
threatened to betray me when I wished to take the ship. I swore to have
your life for your cowardice; but I retract the oath, and now let us be
friends. Give me shelter, and something to eat, and to-morrow I will
leave you for a distant station.'

"'You are deceiving me,' I said, still retaining my hold of the gun, and
looking at him suspiciously.

"'No, by ----, I'm not,' Darnley cried, with a look of sincerity: 'here,
let me prove it. Ten days ago I murdered one of the guards, and fought
my way to this part of the country in hopes of joining a gang of
bushrangers. Since that time I have been pursued and hunted like a wild
beast; but they haven't captured Black Darnley yet.'

"He laughed triumphantly as he spoke, and thought of the long chase that
he had given the police of Sydney.

"'You are a strong man, much stronger than myself, and if I am upon an
equal footing with you, could crush me as easily as an eggshell.'

"I still retained my hold of the gun, but I no longer covered his huge
body with its barrel.

"'Look at me!' he said, baring his arms, which were shrunken, and
holding them up for my inspection. 'For three days I've not tasted food,
or closed my eyes in sleep. I've run and skulked from tree to tree
during that time, and heard the tramping of horses as the policemen
strove to follow my trail. I am weak, exhausted, and a child could
overcome me now.'

"'But after your strength is recruited, you may act the part of a
serpent, and sting the one that warmed you into life,' I answered, half
resolved to trust him.

"'I don't blame you for your suspicions,' he cried, moodily, seating
himself by the fire again, and holding his hands towards the blaze to
dry his ragged shirt. 'I am defenceless, and you hold a loaded gun.
Discharge its contents into my body, and then go and obtain a full
pardon from government for the murder of Black Darnley.'

"He bowed his head and sat scowling at the fire, as though he cared not
what became of him, and was rather anxious, than otherwise, that I
should end his career of crime.

"'I'll trust you,' I said, replacing my gun over the bed and taking a
seat beside him, and I did so with perfect confidence.

"'Your clothes are wet and ragged,' I remarked, after a few moments'
silence, during which he did not remove his eyes from the fire.

"'A starving man cares but little about his dress,' he answered,
glancing over his ragged suit, and stooping to wipe the gravel from his
bloody feet.

"'You shall have all that you want to eat,' I answered; and I hastily
put a kettle of water upon the fire to make him a cup of tea, and then
laid upon the table nearly the whole carcass of a lamb which I had
roasted that day. He still sat by the fire and gazed at the flames as
though he read his past life amid the coals that glowed upon the
hearth, and was trying to read the future. I went to my small stock of
clothing and took out a flannel shirt and pair of trousers, much the
worse for wear, but still warm and dry.

"'Strip off your wet garments," I said, 'and accept of these.'

"He started, and looked me full in the face, as though reading my
thoughts.

"'I have wronged you,' he cried, while doing as I directed. 'I thought
when I proposed to take the ship, that you were a coward, because you
refused to join me. You are a braver man than myself.'

"'It was because I knew that certain death not only awaited you and I,
but half of those who were not aware of the plot. The innocent and
guilty would have been massacred without mercy by our taskmasters.'

"'But we could have slain half a dozen of them before dying ourselves,'
he exclaimed, with a touch of his old fierceness, and a wave of his long
arms, as though, even then, weak as he was, he would like to strangle
his oppressors. I made no reply, but assisted him to dress; and after he
had squeezed his body into my clothes, which were two sizes too small
for him, the water on the fire boiled, and I made a strong cup of tea,
and then bade him eat to repletion. He needed no second invitation, but
fell to work like a wild animal, and craunched bones and flesh between
his strong teeth in such a ravenous manner that I had expectations of
his choking himself; and I don't know that I should have been sorry if
he had. The lamb rapidly disappeared, but not until every bone was
picked, and half-eaten, did he evince that he was satisfied, and again
drew towards the fire, into which he continued to gaze until he began to
nod with weariness.

"'You are sleepy,' I said. 'Occupy my bed to-night, and I'll sit by the
fire.'

"'The floor will do for me. Give me a sheep-skin and let me stretch
myself before the fire.'

"Finding that he was resolved not to deprive me of the bed, I spread
half a dozen skins upon the hearth, and giving him a pipe well filled
with tobacco, retired to my couch, and lay watching his huge form by the
faint flicker of the fire, which had begun to grow dim.

"In a few minutes Darnley's head, which he had supported upon his hand,
sank upon his pillow; 'the pipe dropped from his mouth, and by his heavy
breathing I knew that he slept. Wicked thoughts then crowded upon my
mind. Within my reach was a gun, well charged with slugs, and there,
lying upon the hearth, was an escaped convict, whose life was forfeited
by the laws of Australia, and pardon and official patronage granted to
any man that shed his blood. Nay, more, I had the moans of purchasing my
freedom by exhibiting proofs that I had taken his life, and I thought of
the many years that must elapse before my term would expire.

"I reached towards the gun, and considered that I should but do my duty
in slaying him as he lay; but other thoughts succeeded, and I now thank
God that my hands are not stained with the blood of a man who trusted to
my goodness of heart. I fell asleep during my meditations, and when I
awoke, Darnley was still sleeping in front of the cold fireplace.

"I moved about the room as gently as possible, and tried to avoid
awakening him; but while I was endeavoring to kindle a fire, he suddenly
started up, his countenance inflamed with passion, and his deep-set eyes
glaring like those of a tiger.

"'I'll never be taken alive,' he shouted, throwing his huge form upon
mine, and crushing me to the ground with his weight, while his hand
sought my throat which was compressed in his grasp until my eyes started
nearly from their sockets.

"In his half-awakened madness I should have been strangled, had it not
been for my dog, that flew at his leg, and inflicted a savage bite that
caused Darnley to relinquish his hold and turn upon the brute; but by
the time that he had staggered to his feet, he awakened to his
situation, and became calm and penitent, and asked my pardon a dozen
times for his mistake. I forgave him, but resolved to keep at a
respectful distance the next time he slept.

"I gave him a hearty breakfast, and when he got ready to leave placed a
pair of sheep-skin shoes upon his feet; but all my arguments did not
induce him to accept of the garments that belonged to me, as he feared
that in case he was taken they would be traced and involve me in
trouble. It was considerate in him certainly, but from that day to this
he has baffled all attempts at capture; but how much longer he will be
permitted to go at large is only known to God."

"And did he ever pay you another visit at the hut?" I asked, as Smith
paused.

"Quite frequently; but he always came alone, and would not allow one of
the gang whom he gathered about him to molest my flocks. I saw him on my
last trip to the mines, and he tried to bribe me to purchase him a pair
of revolvers; but I refused, and he left me without a word of reproach."

It was nearly four o'clock when Smith finished his account of the
bushranger; and as the heat was not so oppressive as at noon, we decided
to travel eight or ten miles farther that evening, before we camped for
the night.

The oxen were found, driven towards the cart, and yoked; and, with many
a sharp crack of the stockman's whip, we crossed the stream, and once
more pursued our way towards Ballarat.




CHAPTER III.

TRAVELLING IN AUSTRALIA.--AN ADVENTURE WITH SNAKES.--CARRYING THE MAILS.


During the rainy season in Australia, the roads leading to the mines are
almost impassable, as the soil is light and the water easily penetrates
to a great depth. Teams, with half a dozen yoke of cattle, can scarcely
draw a heavy cart, as the brutes sink to their knees in mud at every
step, and the wheels of the vehicle are buried to the axletree most of
the time. Five or ten miles per day is as great a distance as animals
can travel; and even at that rate it is quite common for the oxen to
give out, and be left by the roadside, a prey for dogs and other wild
animals.

The natives of the island,--for the race bears no resemblance to that
class of people to whom we are wont to ascribe an elastic step, a noble
bearing, and undaunted courage--have been known to follow a team for
twenty-four hours, expressly for the purpose of picking the bones of an
ox which they imagined would soon give out; and when the poor brute is
left to die, they crowd upon him like vultures, and hack off huge strips
of quivering fresh before his breath has departed.

In the summer season, when no rain falls to lay the dust or irrigate the
earth, the streams, which, during the winter, are like mountain
torrents, and sweep every thing opposed to them towards the ocean,
become puny little rivulets, and as the summer advances, disappear
altogether from sight, and nothing but deep gulches mark the spot where
but a few months before a large body of water flowed.

Then the roads become hard and dry, and the light earth, pulverized by
the numerous wheels which are continually passing over it, is taken up
by the hot winds and whirled along the vast, plains, obscuring the sight
as effectually as though there was a deep eclipse. The eyes and nostrils
of the traveller become irritated by the fine particles, and the dust is
sifted into his ears and mouth. The latter gets coated with dust, and
all moisture is denied the palate. Vainly the tongue is rolled from side
to side to check the burning thirst, until at last the member gets so
swollen that it becomes incapable of motion, and then, unless relief is
soon afforded, death ensues. Water, slimy, stagnant water, is drank with
as much eagerness as a glass of iced Cochituate in summer.

The various sink holes with which the prairies abound are drained of
their contents, and if the traveller is unacquainted with a miner's
life, he does not wait until the liquid is strained and boiled, and thus
relieved of many of its bad properties, but swallows a large quantity of
the nauseous filth, and for many days after repents of his folly. He
that drinks at a sink hole, and suffers long and repeated attacks of
fever and ague, or dysentery, in consequence, learns to avoid it in
future.

As Fred and myself were old miners, and had tramped over a large portion
of California, and knew the dangers of such indulgence, we were not
likely to be caught; although we had a good guide with us in the person
of the convict, who really appeared to take an interest in our welfare,
and gave us much friendly advice.

The sun did not set for three hours after we started, on the afternoon
that we crossed the gulch; and while we found the heat growing less
oppressive, we certainly did not feel much refreshed by its
disappearance, as our legs, unaccustomed for many days to long walks,
began to grow stiff, while blisters formed upon our feet and galled us
extremely.

We would have given a small sum to have been enabled to halt for the
night; but pride prevented us from asking Smith to do so. We were
fearful that he would laugh at us, and we had our reputation as
Americans at heart too much to let him think that we were failing even
on the first day from Melbourne. But as mile after mile of ground was
got over, we could keep silent no longer.

"How much farther do you intend going before camping for the night?" I
asked of the convict in a careless sort of way, although I could hardly
prevent limping.

"Feel tired?" he inquired, with a grin.

"O, no," I answered, with an indifferent air.

"Well, as you are not tired, and night is the best time to travel,
suppose we keep on until daylight?"

"I'll be ---- if I do," broke in Fred. "I've got a great blister now, on
my great toe, bigger than a silver dollar, and my boot seems inclined to
raise others. I'll tell you what it is, Smith, for the last two months
we've been on shipboard, and not walked five miles during that time, and
if you think we can compete with you as a pedestrian, you are mistaken."

Fred jerked out his words as though each step he took cost him an
immense amount of pain, and I've no doubt it did. The convict laughed
silently, and relieved his feelings by cracking his long whip, bringing
the end of the lash to bear with great precision upon the flanks of the
leading yoke of cattle, which testified their appreciation of his
attention by kicking at the heads of those following; and as such
playful amusement was calculated to inspire vitality in the animals,
they started off with renewed speed, and Fred and myself, with many
groans, limped after.

"I can't stand this," cried my companion, after a few minutes' brisk
walk. "My feet are raw, and getting worse every moment. I'll try an
experiment."

He sat down in the middle of the road, and while the team rolled on,
jerked off his boots and stockings, and declared, as we hastened to
overtake Smith, that he felt he could walk all night, and that hereafter
he would go barefooted.

"Well," cried Smith, as we reached the team, "how do you feel now?"

"Fresh as a daisy," returned Fred, clapping his boots together as though
they were a pair of cymbals.

"What have you got in your hands?" asked Smith; for, it being already
dark, it was hard to distinguish objects at a short distance.

"My boots," cried Fred, triumphantly.

"Are you barefooted?" asked the convict in surprise.

"Yes."

"Then if you value your life, put on your boots again, and keep them on
as long as you are in the mines. You are liable at any moment to step
upon a poisonous snake; and if bitten, no power on earth can save you.
The natives pretend to cure bites, but I have some doubts on the
subject."

Smith spoke seriously, and as there might be much truth in what he said,
Fred willingly complied, although he groaned with pain as he drew on his
boots, and once more hobbled along beside the team.

"About three months ago, I was freighting a party up to the mines," said
Smith, "and a youngster became foot-sore. He took off his boots,
although I told him there was danger of treading upon snakes in the
dark. He laughed at me; but before his mirth had ceased, he uttered a
yell, and sprang wildly towards the team, which I had suffered to get a
little in advance.

"When he started, I suspected the cause, and groping carefully about in
the dust with my whip, soon discovered a small snake, not larger in
circumference than my lash, but which I readily recognized as one of the
most poisonous in the country. The natives call them _capi-ni-els_, or
what signifies little devils. As the impudent scamp was hissing and
darting out his tongue at me, I gave him a blow on the head, ground him
into powder with the heel of my boot, and then passed on to overtake the
team.

"It had got some distance from me; but before I reached it, my young
passenger could no longer walk, and by the time I had checked the oxen,
he had swollen to twice his usual size, and was lying panting by the
side of the road, incapable of moving or speaking. I got a large
quantity of brandy down his throat; but it had no effect, and in twenty
minutes' time he was a dead man. We buried him where he fell, and I'll
show you his grave when we reach it."

"I for one shall take good care to keep my boots on," I replied, after
the convict had finished his story.

"Why do they frequent a road in preference to other parts?" asked Fred,
who seemed to have almost forgotten his lameness, while listening to
Smith's yarn.

"Because the light dust over which we are passing retains the heat of
the sun longer than the soil by the road. Snakes are fond of dragging
their forms over it, as it is soft, and keeps them warm during the
night. I have known teams to be stopped, and obliged to seek a route on
the prairie, simply because a large number of snakes were not disposed
to yield the right of way.

"The first load that I ever carried to the mines, and when I was anxious
to make as much money as possible in a very short space of time, I was
stopped in this same way. I was jogging along one night, all alone, and
urging my oxen to their utmost speed, when all at once the leaders shied
out from the road, and then stopped. I cracked my whip, and roared at
them frantically, but it was of no use.

"Forward they would not budge, and at last they fairly turned, and were
making very good time towards Melbourne; but I soon stopped that game,
and once more got them headed the way I wanted them to go. When they
arrived at the spot at which they had balked a few minutes before, they
went through with the same antics, and then I thought it best to see
what was the matter. Walking forward, I was saluted with a hissing
sound, that greatly resembled the noise which an enraged gander emits
when a stranger trespasses upon his brood.

"I paused for a moment, and tried to discover, through the darkness,
what occasioned the noise, but could not, although I thought I saw
something moving not far from me. I retreated, quieted my cattle, took
my lantern and gun, and walked back to the spot. By the light of the
candle I saw about half a bushel of snakes, coiled up in a heap, and all
alive with rage at being disturbed. I hardly knew what to do. There they
were, and gave no indications of leaving the road; and I no longer
wondered at the reluctance of the oxen in refusing to pass over them.
Had they done so, it is very probable I should have lost every one of
the animals, for they could not have escaped being bitten; and then they
would have died in a few hours, and I should have suffered a great
pecuniary loss.

"I had a quantity of fine shot in my wagon-box, which I used for small
birds. I drew the charge I had in the gun, and instead of a bullet, put
in about a handful of the shot, and then setting my lantern as near the
mass of snakes as I dared venture, I retreated a few paces, and taking
deliberate aim, fired at them.

"The charge made dreadful havoc, and dozens of them were killed and cast
out of the heap by those unharmed; but instead of causing them to escape
to the prairie, they only seemed more determined to dispute the right of
way, and hissed and ran out their thin, forked tongues as though defying
me to do my worst. Their eyes sparkled like precious stones, and by the
light of the lantern I could see them change, as they moved their
position to face me, and assume a hundred different hues. It was a
terrible and fascinating sight, and for a few minutes I stood and
watched them twist and writhe themselves into a thousand different
shapes. Seeing that I should have to make a regular business at
slaughtering them, I went to work after a while, and poured volley after
volley into the mass, until not more than half a dozen escaped alive.

"Even after they were dead I could not get my cattle along the road
until I had first taken a shovel and thrown the bodies a considerable
distance from the spot. I never saw such a large collection of serpents
before, and I have often wondered why they were gathered in such a
mass."

"Have you ever arrived at any conclusion?" I asked.

"I have thought that they expected an attack from some enemy of the
serpent tribe, and so formed themselves into that shape for resistance."

While Smith was speaking, we heard a team behind us that appeared to be
tearing along at a rapid rate; and even before we could discover its
outlines, we distinguished the cracking of a whip as though the driver
was anxious to see how many times he could snap it in a minute.

"I hear you," muttered Smith, driving his oxen to one side of the road,
and stopping them. "There is no occasion for you to make so much noise
to let people know that you are coming."

Even while Smith was grumbling, a light-bodied cart, with lamps on each
side, drawn by a span of horses, and driven by a man who wore a sort of
uniform, whizzed past us, and by the side of the team rode two soldiers,
dressed in the livery of England. They were out of sight in a moment,
but they threw a jest at us as they passed, and before Smith could
reply, the soldiers were lost to view.

"A hard time you have of it," cried Smith, as he started his team again.

"Who are they?" we asked.

"That is a government team, and carries the mail between Melbourne and
Ballarat. Day and night they are upon the move, and only stop long
enough to change horses and escort. To-morrow at this time the miners
will be in possession of their letters and papers, and I need not tell
you how anxiously news is looked for from home."

"But are we to keep on day and night until we reach Ballarat?" asked
Fred.

"No," replied Smith, touching up his cattle. "Do you see yonder light
far ahead?" he cried, pointing with his whip.

"Yes."

"Well, at that light we'll prepare a cup of coffee, and sleep until
morning. Cheer up; it's only a mile distant, and there is where you will
get your first view of the natives of Australia."




CHAPTER IV.

EATING BROILED KANGAROO MEAT.--AUSTRALIAN SPEARS AND AMERICAN RIFLES.


The natives of Australia are remarkable for the slight quantity of
clothing which they wear, and the thinness of their limbs. Their dress
consists of a dirty piece of cloth, or skin of kangaroo, tied about
their waists, leaving the upper and lower parts of their bodies naked.
Their color is a dingy black, although what exact shade they would
represent were they washed quite clean is a matter of conjecture. A more
filthy race of beings I never saw; and if we adopt the hypothetical
theory of eminent medical gentlemen, that when the pores of the skin are
closed, and perspiration ceases to flow, the patient dies, then the
natives in Australia should, according to that reasoning, have all been
under ground years ago; for I am confident that during my residence on
the island, I never saw one guilty of ablution, or manifest the
slightest anxiety to mingle a little water with their dirt.

With grease upon their faces, filling their long black hair, shining
upon their hands, and smeared upon their bodies, they are as disgusting
a race as can be found upon the globe; and after a brief survey of their
huts and habits, men of a cleanly nature never desire to see them more.
Their limbs bear about as great a proportion to their bodies as the stem
of a pipe to the bowl; and to see them walking, is apt to suggest an
idea that their legs were never intended to carry their frames. The
latter part of their bodies presents a protuberance, even in the
youngsters, caused by their inordinate gluttonous nature, which prompts
them, when fortunate enough to have killed game, to gorge themselves to
repletion, as though they never expected to eat again, and were
determined to fill their stomachs even if they burst.

We soon saw a party of natives of this description seated around a fire,
black with dirt, and gorged with the flesh of a kangaroo. The stockman,
Smith, was busy with his team, and had declined our assistance, as he
saw that we were tired and nearly exhausted with travel. Telling us to
go to the fire and see how we liked the looks of the natives, we
followed his advice, and walked towards them. There were ten or twelve
of them huddled together in a circle, squatted upon their haunches, each
with a piece of raw flesh lying upon the ground, while other junks were
broiling on the coals, to be transferred from thence to the fingers of
those claiming them.

They manifested no surprise or curiosity when Fred and myself halted
within a few feet of them, and regarded their feeding operations with
considerable disgust. Their minds appeared to be too much occupied to
pay the least attention to outward objects, and as they poked their
burning food among the ashes, and licked their fingers, and grunted with
satisfaction, they certainly did not seem better than so many swine. At
least they were not half so clean.

"Well, of all the eating I ever saw, this is the worst," cried Fred,
after a few moments' contemplation.

"Even the Indians of California would be ashamed to look so dirty," I
remarked.

"Hullo," cried Smith, advancing with the sauce pan filled with water,
which he had obtained somewhere in the vicinity, although we could not
in the dark see any evidence of a stream. "Hullo," he cried; "what is
the matter? Why don't you sit down and join the gentlemen? Well, old
Bulger, how are you getting along?" addressing a native that looked
older than the others, and consequently more dirty.

The brute grunted, and paid no farther attention to the address; but
Smith was not to be bluffed that way.

"Let me have a chance at your fire," he said, holding the sauce pan
towards him; but the native gave no attention except to his burning
meat, which he turned over in the ashes with a stick, and apparently had
a great desire to eat raw.

"I know of a way to start him," muttered Smith. "Stand by and watch the
fun," he continued, addressing Fred and myself.

He canted the sauce pan a little one side, and allowed the water to run
over the rim, and strike upon the native's naked shoulder. The fellow
uttered a howl as though seared with a hot iron, and scrabbling away
from the fire, left the convict free access.

"There is nothing like water to start them," cried Smith, laughing, as
he put his dish upon the coals, while those who still kept their places
watched his motions with their little glittering eyes, as though fearful
they should also be subjected to a bath.

The native whom the convict called "Bulger" lingered around the fire for
a short time, as though he had not entirely relinquished all hope of
again joining the circle; but when he found that Smith showed no
indication of yielding his place, he grunted his displeasure, got one of
his companions to rake from the ashes his lump of flesh, and placing the
burning mass upon leaves, walked towards some rude huts which were built
of branches of trees and leaves of the _giro_.

"Good night, Bulgy," shouted Smith, as this latter toddled off; but the
native paid no attention, and soon disappeared within the pile of
leaves.

"You have met these poor devils before--haven't you?" I inquired of the
convict.

"For the last three months they have been camped on this spot, and as
water is convenient here, I generally manage to reach them in the course
of the night. Besides, I make them useful in case my cattle stray away;
and for a piece of tobacco not larger than my thumb they are willing to
run all day."

"Bah," grunted half a dozen voices in chorus, apparently roused to
animation by some word that Smith had spoken.

They extended their small hands, not larger than the paws of an
orang-outang, and greatly resembling them in formation and looks.

"What do they want?" Fred asked.

"They heard me mention tobacco, and now they are begging for some. They
love the needful as well as I do;" and Smith proceeded to fill his pipe,
and then coolly replaced the tobacco in his pocket, much to the
disappointment of the natives, who had followed his motions with anxious
eyes.

"Give them a piece," I said, quick to trace disappointment in their
expressionless faces.

"Not I," returned Smith. "If I want them to-morrow to run after my
cattle, I shall have to give them more, for they would not recollect
that I had supplied them to-night without compensation."

"Then I'll stand treat," cried Fred, handing a small piece of the
needful to the nearest native, who grunted, but whether as an expression
of thanks, or disappointment that it was not larger, is unknown.

The glittering eyes of the gorged natives were instantly fastened upon
the fortunate possessor of the tobacco, greatly to the injury of their
broiling meat. But the native upon whom the present was bestowed showed
no signs of making a dividend. He carefully concealed the tobacco in a
small pouch at his girdle, and after sitting a few minutes in silence,
staggered to his feet, and waddled off.

"'It is get all you can and keep what you get,' with them," said Smith,
as he watched the native enter his hut.

The water in the sauce pan at this moment gave indications of boiling,
and as we all felt hungry, we determined to have supper before
stretching our forms under the shelter of the cart. Our stock of coffee
was produced, the pork and bread unpacked, and while the convict busied
himself frying slices of the former, we soaked cakes of the latter in a
pan of water, and sliced a few potatoes to add a relish to our meal.

At length our supper was cooked; when seated within the light of the
blazing fire, we prepared to enjoy ourselves and perhaps emulate the
natives in their feasts.

"How do you like your coffee?" asked Smith, as I raised my tin pot to my
mouth.

Before I could reply, my attention was directed to a blaze that suddenly
enveloped one of the huts, and which threatened to extend to the others.
As the materials of which it was built were light and dry, but few
minutes' time would be necessary to consume it; so I started up,
intending to assist in extinguishing the flames.

"Let it burn," exclaimed Smith, leisurely sipping his coffee, and
watching the progress of the fire; and even the natives kept their
places, and appeared unmoved at the sight.

"There may be somebody in the hut," cried Fred, rising.

"Then let them get out the best way they can," answered Smith. "If these
dirty scamps can't assist a comrade, I don't see why we should bother
our heads."

We waited to hear no more, but rushed towards the flames; and our steps
were quickened by hearing what we thought was the cry of a child.

We seized the dry branches, of which the hut was built, and tore them
from their fastenings, scattering the leaves that formed the roof, and,
regardless of the heat, continued to work; the flames were too powerful
for us, and we were obliged to beat a retreat.

We were about to return to our supper, when we heard a shrill cry issue
from the hut--not aloud, prolonged sound, such as a man would utter when
in agony, but a sharp, short yell, like the wail of an infant.

"Smith," I shouted, turning to the convict, who was still eating his
supper, "there is a child burning to death."

"The deuce!" he cried, springing to his feet, and rushing quickly in the
direction of the fire. "Let us save the young 'un at any rate."

Upon the ground in front of the hut were half a dozen long,
sharp-pointed spears, belonging to the natives, and almost their only
weapons for defence or attack. We seized those, and charging on the fire
as though it was an enemy, we poked away branch after branch, until we
had made an entrance sufficiently large to admit one of us, when Smith,
reckless of the heat, rushed forward and entered the hut.

We waited anxiously for his reappearance, and when he did emerge from
the smoke and flames, instead of carrying a child in his arms, he was
dragging the inanimate form of the native whom Fred had made happy with
a present of tobacco a short time before.

The native was apparently insensible; but as Smith dragged him along the
ground, and let his body drop when beyond reach of the fire, he uttered
a groan, as though half disposed to remonstrate against being saved.

"Well, of all the lazy scamps that I ever saw, he is the worst," cried
Smith, wiping his brow with his hand, and looking towards us for a
confirmation of his words.

"At least you have the gratification of knowing that you have saved his
life," cried Fred, almost inclined to laugh at the rueful look of the
convict.

"His life?" repeated Smith; "why, if I had let him roast he would have
been much more gratified than he will be when he awakes. He is going
through with a fit of digestion now, and is as torpid as a toad in
winter. Ah, you brute, eat until you can't move another time, will you?"

The convict hit the native a kick with his foot, and then went to finish
his supper, grumbling as he did so at being disturbed.

The natives, who had retained their positions around the fire in spite
of the burning hut, and danger of their comrade, uttered a low grunt
when they saw Smith drag the brute from the flames; but whether that
expression was intended for satisfaction or regret, I was too little
acquainted with the customs of the tribe to tell. They took no further
notice of either their torpid companion or our party, until suddenly an
idea appeared to enter the head of one, smarter looking than his
fellows. He got with difficulty upon his feet, leaving his burning meat
upon the coals, and waddling towards the insensible native, knelt beside
him.

"Look!" cried Fred, suspending the operation of eating supper to call
attention to the fact. "Look, and never say that the natives are
destitute of feeling again."

Fred intended to be particularly severe upon Smith; but that worthy
merely glanced in the direction indicated, and, after a brief shrug of
his shoulders, took himself to his meal with renewed energy.

"You are convinced, I suppose?" Fred asked.

"Convinced that the lazy scamp recollects where the tobacco was put, and
is determined to rob the over-fed brute of his treasure."

We found that the convict was right, for the native, after fumbling at
the insensible man's girdle for a moment, reappeared at the fire, and
something like a grin of triumph lighted up his greasy features, as he
exposed to the admiring gaze the piece of tobacco which Fred had given
away.

Tired with our day's journey, and feeling sleepy after our meal, we soon
returned to the shelter of the cart for a night's rest; but before we
went, we were careful enough to pack up all of our cooking apparatus,
and also to place our rifles close at hand, although Smith told us that
the precaution was useless, as the natives never waged warfare upon full
stomachs.

It was long past daylight, when the hearty voice of the convict roused
us from a deep sleep, where dreams of home and comforts of civilization
were much pleasanter things to contemplate, than the half-naked bodies
of ten natives, who were lying upon the ground, circling the cold ashes,
where the night before a fire blazed. They lay like black snakes gorged
with carrion--lifeless and torpid, and nothing but repeated doses of
water upon their naked backs would rouse them.

"Go and take a bath," cried Smith, as we sat upright and rubbed our
eyes, and yawned sleepily.

He pointed to a small stream of water, ten or fifteen rods distant, and
as we thought it would be likely to relax our muscles, and relieve us of
a portion of the soreness which we felt, we took his advice, and upon
returning from our aquatic excursion, found coffee boiling, and salt
pork hissing in the spider, and potatoes roasting in the ashes.

After a hearty breakfast, we were ready to think about starting; but the
cattle had strayed to a considerable distance, and the convict
determined not to run after them, when he had aids so near at hand, who
could be induced for a trifle to undertake the job.

"Hullo!" he shouted, giving the nearest native a nudge with his foot;
but the fellow only grunted, and went off to sleep again.

Smith in a rage seized a pail of water that was near at hand, and dashed
part of its contents over the head and shoulders of the sleeping native,
who, not being accustomed to shower baths, started up with a cold
shiver, and hurriedly wiped the water from his face.

"Run and collect the cattle," cried Smith, who appeared to have
forgotten that not a word of English was understood by the native.

But a series of telegraphic signals was carried on by the convict, that
at last gave the barbarian to know what was wanted, and the sight of
half a hand of tobacco sharpened his faculties wonderfully.

He picked up his spear that was lying near at hand, and with the end
pricked into life half a dozen of his torpid companions; and although
blood flowed where the sharp-pointed wood touched, yet they bestirred
themselves very slowly, and did not appear to think that their brother
had used them any ways cruelly.

A short series of guttural grunts--for no other term will apply to
express the sound of their language--was carried on for a moment, and
then off started three of the natives to find the cattle of the convict,
which were, perhaps, half a dozen miles down the stream, attracted by
the sweetness of the grass which grew on the river's banks.

"As we shall have to wait some time, let's have a little amusement,"
cried Smith, who appeared to take the straying of his cattle in the most
philosophical manner.

"Agreed!" we cried. "What shall it be?"

"I'll make the natives show us a specimen of their skill with the
spear," the convict said, in the true style of Englishmen, who generally
think that all creation was created expressly for their service.

"Are they expert?" I asked.

"You shall see;" and forthwith Smith commenced another series of
telegraphing, and an admirable imitation of throwing the spear was not
forgotten, although, to tell the truth, even the natives did not disdain
to grin slightly at the clumsy gestures of the stockman.

They comprehended him, however, and pinning a small piece of paper upon
a huge tree, whose trunk had served many times as a fireplace for
parties of emigrants, like ourselves, bound to the mines, and by that
means had nearly destroyed the vitality of the noble cedar, the native
who had received the shower bath motioned to one of the youngsters of
the tribe to try his hand at the target.

He selected his spear, and retired from the tree about two rods; and
then, for the first time, did he appear to rouse himself, and wear the
air of a human being. His eyes, which were dull a few minutes before,
now lighted up, and imparted an animation to his face that I had not
believed possible; there was an activity and grace in his position, as
he faced the target, that proved there were some traits in their
character which would have made them formidable enemies.

The youngster balanced his body, throwing his right leg back as a brace,
and advancing his left foot, holding his spear upon an angle with his
eye, and drawing it back and forth, as though testing the strength of
his little, skinny arm, until he had apparently got the right balance,
when, with a quick motion, he hurled it at the mark; and as the spear
sped through the air, it produced a humming sound, like the noise of a
stone when thrown from a sling by the vigorous arm of a strong man.

So quick was the motion, and rapid the movement of the spear, that the
eye could not follow its flight; but we could hear the dull sound that
it produced within two inches of the mark, which was not larger than a
man's two hands.

"Well done," shouted Fred and myself in a breath; but the natives
manifested no applause, and even Smith shook his head and muttered,--

"He can do better than that; but the youngster is nervous and hardly
awake. Come, old boy," turning to the older native, "try your hand at
the business, and let's see what you can do."

After the usual telegraphing, he was made to understand what was
wanted; and taking a spear a trifle heavier than the one before used,
retreated nearly ten paces farther from the mark, and without apparently
using the same precautions for accuracy, let it fly.

It struck the piece of paper nearly in the centre, and penetrated the
tree four or five inches, quivered for a moment, but before it had
ceased, the native had snatched up another spear and hurled it after the
first. The second struck within an inch of its companion, and the united
strength of Fred and myself was necessary to draw them from the tree.

"Now let them see what Americans can do with rifles," cried the convict,
as he saw that the natives were rather jubilant over the feat of their
companion.

Neither Fred nor myself were what was called crack shots, either with
revolver or rifle; but we were fair, and had no need to feel ashamed of
our shooting. Determined to let the natives witness a specimen of our
skill, we pinned a piece of white rag, not larger than the palm of my
hand, upon the tree, discharged our rifles and carefully reloaded them
to be sure that they were not foul, and then retreated until we could
just see the rag.

The natives watched our proceedings in silence, but with considerable
curiosity, squatting upon the ground, and looking first at the target
and then at ourselves with an expression which seemed to say, "if you
hit that rag you are smarter than we think you are."

Indeed, so important did they consider the occasion, that they dragged
from the huts half a dozen women, and as many naked children, to witness
the exhibition.

I was to fire first; and as I drew a bead upon the mark, I carefully
calculated the distance, and with such accuracy that the bullet cut the
end of the mark, and carried a portion of the rag far into the body of
the tree.

"Hurrah for the rifles," shouted Smith, waving his hat, after he had
pointed out to the natives what had been done.

The crowd which had clustered around the tree stepped back as Fred took
his station. He was not so long sighting as myself, but his bullet
struck about an inch above my own, and nearly in the centre of the mark.

"Better and better," cried Smith, in tones of surprise; and when we
joined him, we saw by his actions that we had risen in his estimation,
while the natives, still squatting on their haunches, looked as though
we were gods, or beings of a superior order.

"Here come the oxen," cried Smith, after a few words of congratulation.
"We must get over thirty miles of ground before twelve o'clock
to-night."

"We are willing," we said.

"And the lameness and blisters?" he asked.

"The lameness is nearly gone, and the blisters are broken."

"Good; help me yoke the cattle, and before to-night you will taste, for
the first time, broiled kangaroo; and I'll tell you beforehand it's no
mean dish. Ge-long, ye brutes," and with hard cracks of the whip the
cart rumbled on, and we left the natives still squatting upon the
ground, and looking after us, as though wondering why we would travel
when it was so pleasant to sit still.




CHAPTER V.

THE SOLITARY STOCKMAN.--SHOOTING A KANGAROO.


About ten o'clock on the morning that we took our leave of the natives,
after witnessing their extraordinary skill at spear-hurling, the sun
shone out with a brilliancy and power that caused the cattle to protrude
their tongues, and lift their feet as though they wore shod with
fifty-sixes.

At twelve o'clock, when it seemed impossible for the oxen to go much
further without drink, our eyes were gladdened by the sight of green
trees and shrubs, which grew as if marked by a straight line, far off on
the prairie. The convict pointed to the well known signs of water, with
an encouraging smile, if, indeed, a smile could be seen when a man's
face is plastered over an inch thick with dust; but at any rate we were
willing to consider it as an expression of joy; although, perhaps, some
people might have thought our countenances resembled those of fiends
rather than human beings, for no flesh was visible, and the eyes looked
any thing but inviting, inflamed as they were by heat and dust.

"There is water close at hand?" I gasped, as the convict pointed to the
dark green line.

"Yes; and plenty of it," he replied, snapping his long whip, and
encouraging his tired animals with a hoarse shout.

The brutes appeared to sniff water even in the hot air, for they bent
their sturdy necks to the yoke with renewed energy, and plodded along at
a rate that required all of our exertions to keep beside the team.

In an hour's time we were standing upon the banks of a stream that had
forced its way through the level prairie, and which, during the rainy
season was unfordable; but now, when the hot sun had drank up most of
its water, a child could have passed over and not wet its knees.

It required the united exertions of all three of us to prevent the oxen
from rushing down the banks of the rivulet, and quenching their thirst
before the formality of unyoking had been gone through with. The
stock-whip was often raised, and its long lash exercised with terrible
severity, and every time it touched the flanks of the brutes, a small
piece of skin not larger than a sixpence was clipped from their
quivering flanks, leaving the flesh exposed to the mercy of the numerous
insects which hovered in the air and darted upon the defenceless spots
with the greediness of starvation.

"It's a shame," cried Fred, indignantly, "to torture poor animals that
way."

"Would you have them plunge down the banks of the stream, over-turn the
cart, spoil my cargo of goods, and perhaps lose two or three animals by
strangulation?" demanded the convict, with the first symptoms of
irritation that we had witnessed during our journey.

"No, I would not certainly desire to witness any thing of the kind; but
I still think that it is a harsh way of treating animals," cried Fred
dogmatically.

"I used to think so, and perhaps am of the same opinion still; but I
have too much confided to my charge to suffer loss for the want of a few
applications of the whip. After you have been in the country a few
years, you will not feel so tenderly for the sufferings of others."

"God grant that I may never be insensible to others' woes," cried Fred,
with a genuine burst of feeling.

"Spoken like a man," exclaimed the convict, enthusiastically. "Here," he
continued, extending his hand, "is a palm soiled by the commission of
crime; but I have lived long enough to repent of the errors of which I
have been guilty, and at times think of a mother's prayers when I was a
boy. Your words have recalled the days when I used to sit upon her knee
and listen to her words, and promise that when I grew old I'd imitate
the virtues of my father, and be a comfort to her in her declining
years. If my hand," he said, looking at it, "is soiled, my heart is
not, and I offer it to you as a pledge of friendship."

"And if your hand were stained I would accept it," returned Fred,
shaking his palm warmly. "I look upon you in the light of a friend, and
the folly of other days weighs not the weight of a feather towards
warping my judgment in considering your good and bad qualities."

The two men shook hands, and looked into each other's eyes as though
they had just found out one another's worth; and when the convict had
squeezed Fred's palm, he bestowed the same favor upon myself.

"Come," cried the convict, who appeared to be inspired with new life,
"let us get a bit of dinner, and then I will take you to the old cattle
station, where I once lived a solitary life, and where I harbored Black
Darnley."

"Is it far from here?" I asked, casting an anxious glance towards the
shadow of a tree, and thinking how pleasantly I could pass away a
portion of the afternoon by sleeping.

"Scarce a quarter of a mile, and I'll warrant that you will feel amply
repaid, tempting as the shadow of yonder tree looks," Smith said, having
guessed my weakness for repose.

"Then I will go," I replied.

"I will show you after we pass the bend of the stream," the convict
continued while on his hands and knees trying to ignite a fire with
prairie chips, "a flock of sheep that are counted by thousands. They
stretch over the land for miles in extent; even the owner does not know
how many he possesses, and has never visited his stockman, but trusts
all to an agent. Of course the latter has full authority to act as he
pleases, and sometimes, by some mysterious process, the agent gets
richer than the owner, and often buys his property, although where the
money comes from, I leave you to guess."

"Then an agent's station is better than an owner's," laughed Fred.

"It would not be if all men were honest," replied the convict, with a
gloomy brow; and from that time until the coffee was boiled, he did not
speak another word, but appeared to be meditating profoundly upon some
difficult problem.

The cattle had quenched their thirst, and were lying beneath the shadows
of tall trees, lazily cropping the rank grasses within their reach. Fred
and myself had bathed and felt refreshed, and as soon as dinner was
over, we announced to the convict our readiness to accompany him upon
his visit to the stockman's house, where he had spent so many days of
solitude.

"Take your rifles," Smith said, when he saw that we were about to depart
without them.

We looked at him inquiringly.

"We are now in regions where escaped convicts range freely; and ten
miles from here, by following the windings of this stream, is a forest
of gigantic trees and dark recesses, where the police of Melbourne dare
not venture. In that dreary retreat bushrangers find homes--stealing
forth as they do during the night, to feast upon slaughtered sheep, and
rob travellers; they lead an anxious life, as they never know who is
about to betray them, and give them up to the merciless rigor of the
authorities of the city, or else shoot them down as thoughtlessly as you
would a kangaroo, in case one should cross your path."

"I would like to know if we are to carry our rifles for the purpose, of
guarding against bushrangers or to kill kangaroos?" I asked.

"Perhaps for both intentions," replied Smith, glancing up and down the
stream, as though he was not certain that one animal or the other might
not be in sight. "We might meet a bushranger, and if we were without
arms he could do his will, and we should be powerless. As for kangaroos,
I've killed many on the very spot where we now stand; so let me warn you
to keep your eyes open, for they are like lightning in their movements,
and it requires a quick eye and steady hand to cover them with a rifle
when once they commence their leaps."

"A dollar to a shilling that I hit one the first fire, if not more than
thirty rods distant," cried Fred, glancing along his rifle as though one
was already in sight.

"I accept the wager," replied the convict, with a laugh at some thought
that appeared to strike him at the moment; but without enlightening us
he strode along the bank of the stream, leading the way towards the bend
of the brook, which was a few rods distant, and concealed a portion of
the prairie from view.

As we turned the elbow, or bend of the stream, a small hut met our view,
situated near the banks of the brook; while, covering the vast plain
were herds of sheep and lambs, so numerous that they seemed like grains
of sand upon the shore, and I should as soon have thought of counting
the latter, as the former.

The animals raised their heads and looked at us with alarm as we came in
sight, and then, appearing to think that we were there for no good
purpose, they started off into a run, tumbling over each other in their
flight, until they had placed a proper distance between us, when they
once more crowded into one dense mass, and then again scrutinized us
suspiciously.

"I will show you that I have not forgotten my old trade," Smith said,
after we had expressed our wonder at the number of animals before us.

He placed his hand to his mouth as he spoke, and uttered a shrill
whistle, which could have been heard for a mile or two. Twice did he
repeat the signal, and as he finished, the animals came slowly towards
us, as though confident that one who could produce sounds like those was
incapable of injuring them.

"Ah!" laughed the convict, "how many times have I called my flock in
that manner! and although years have passed since I was a stockman, I
have not yet forgotten the trick of the trade."

"Your signals appear to have awakened some one," Fred said, pointing to
a man who emerged from the hut, gun in hand, and who seemed undecided
whether to treat us as friends or foes.

"I will tell you a few circumstances connected with that man's history,"
the convict said, as we walked towards him. "Ten years since he was on
trial for the murder of his wife. The evidence was not very clear, so
the jury brought in a verdict of manslaughter, thinking that they might
as well convict on that ground as to let him escape. He was sentenced to
transportation for life; but after he had been in the colony three
years, new facts were brought to light which made his innocence
apparent. His counsel petitioned government for a release; but the
ministers turned a deaf ear to all entreaties, and said that as a jury
had presumed upon his guilt, they would not think of requesting her
majesty to grant a pardon; and the only thing they would attempt, would
be to send orders to treat the poor fellow as leniently as possible. In
consequence, he was allowed a parole, and entered the service of the man
who owns the vast flock of sheep which you see before you. He has grown
morose since he has led a solitary life, and if he answers questions at
all, it is in monosyllables. But do not treat him as if you knew for
what he was transported."

The latter part of Smith's remarks were spoken hurriedly, and in a low
tone, for we were close to the unfortunate man when they were uttered,
and he feared to be overheard.

I looked at the stockman with singular interest as we approached him. He
was, apparently, about fifty years of age, thin and slightly inclined to
stoop. His face was strongly marked and peculiar, and at one time he
must have passed for an exceedingly good-looking man.

His hair, which was quite white, gave him a venerable appearance; while
a long, flowing beard of jet black, combed, and carefully trimmed,
reminded me of a distinguished minister that I had once listened to, and
whose sermon made an impression upon my mind that has never been
effaced.

The stockman retained his defensive attitude, until he recognized the
features of Smith, when his gun was rested against the side of the hut,
and he once more dropped his head upon his breast, and with folded arms
awaited our coming.

"Well!" cried Smith, with assured cheerfulness; "how do you get along
nowadays?"

The stockman raised his head, and looked at the questioner as though
referring him to his face, with its wrinkles and lines of care, for an
answer. A moment after, his head was bowed upon his breast again, and he
appeared unconscious that we were present.

"Have you seen Darnley's band lately?" Smith inquired.

"Yes," replied the stockman, still retaining his position.

"Has he visited you within the past few days?" queried Smith.

"Yes," replied the man.

"Ah, his supply of provisions was short," cried Smith, as his eyes
sought the flocks as though wondering how many sheep satisfied the
bushranger and his gang.

The stockman returned no answer, so we passed him and entered his hut.
There were two bedsteads made of hides, a table, two rough chairs, that
looked as though introduced during the days of Sir Francis Drake, a few
pans hanging against the wall, an old chest with a broken lid and no
lock, and these were all the articles of luxury or convenience that
graced the cabin of the stockman.

Smith pointed out the spot where Darnley had slept on the night of his
visit; and after we had gratified our curiosity, we left the room, and
bidding the stockman good-by, started on our return to the team.

The poor man did not reply to our salutation, and after we left the
house a number of rods behind, we turned and saw that he was still
buried in profound reflection, and that his head was, as usual, resting
on his breast.

"Poor fellow!" I muttered; "his unjust sentence has broken his heart."

"He feels the wrong keenly," Smith said. "He has but one wish on earth
now; and that is, to see his daughter before he dies."

"He then has children living?" Fred asked.

"Only one, and she was a mere child when he left home. After his
misfortunes the girl was placed with a respectable family in
Lincolnshire. He has often heard from her--she married a hard-working
man, and now has one or two children. The stockman has saved every
shilling of his earnings for the last few years, for the purpose of
paying their passage to this country, where he thinks the husband can
prosper, and where he will have the privilege of seeing his
grandchildren grow up around him. Ten months since a hundred pounds were
sent for the object he had in view, but during the whole of that time no
word has arrived that the money reached its destination."

"A hard case, and one deserving of our warmest sympathy," cried Fred,
once more stopping to look at the solitary man, who still stood with
folded arms and bowed head, meditating upon his wrongs.

"A kangaroo! a kangaroo!" cried the convict, suddenly, pointing with his
hand towards a tall, slim animal, that was standing under a tree, as if
to shelter itself from the sun.

We looked at the kangaroo with considerable interest. It was nearly six
feet high, when standing upon its hind legs, of a dark red color, with
small spots of white upon its breast, while two short arms, or flippers,
were dangling from its fore-shoulders, which were narrow and lean, as
though, clipper-like, it was intended for speed.

The animal watched our movements narrowly; but as the distance was too
great for a rifle shot, we slowly edged towards it with the expectation
of getting within range.

Cautiously we crept along the prairie, sometimes partly concealed by
tall, rank grass and sweet-scented shrubs, until we were forty rods from
the tree under which the kangaroo was sporting.

"Hist!" said Smith, holding up his hand, to command our attention. "The
poor brute is a female, and has her young 'uns sporting around her."

A closer scrutiny revealed the presence of two kangaroos, who were
playing about their mother, unconscious of all danger. They were of a
much lighter color than the old one, and the fur upon their bellies was
nearly pure white. For some time we watched them, and then, desirous of
obtaining fresh meat for supper, Fred and myself crawled a little
nearer.

"Remember our wager," the convict cried, as we moved along on our hands
and knees.

Fred nodded in reply, but after we had got a few rods from Smith, the
latter suddenly started to his feet and uttered a loud yell.

So rapidly that our eyes could hardly follow their movements, did the
young animals run towards their parent and disappear from view; but we
had no time to wonder at that, for the mother, after a hasty glance
around, and comprehending the danger in which she stood, suddenly sprang
from beneath the shelter of the tree, and with the most extraordinary
bounds, some of which would measure over thirty feet in a straight line,
and nearly ten feet high, was passing us like a streak of lightning,
when Fred raised his rifle and fired.

The kangaroo continued her bounds without relaxing her speed; when,
thinking that I might be more successful, I also fired.

I heard the convict laugh heartily at our failures; but before his
merriment ceased, another gun was discharged, and with a mighty bound
the poor brute sprang into the air, alighted on the ground, and, rolling
over and over as though even in her death struggle she sought to escape,
yielded up her life.

We looked towards the stockman to see if he had discharged his gun. He
was leaning on his old musket, and a bright blue smoke was curling over
his head. For a moment he seemed to be warmed into life by the
excitement of the sport, but before the kangaroo had breathed her last,
his head sank upon his breast again, and he appeared no longer to take
an interest in the affairs of life.

We hastened to the animal, and wondered at her immense muscular power.
Her legs appeared like springs of steel, while a powerful tail, long and
bony, was also used to help the animal make those tremendous bounds,
which have become proverbial in Australia, and have excited the
attention of the most eminent naturalists.

"But where have the young 'uns disappeared?" I asked, after we had
sufficiently admired the animal.

"You would hardly think that they are still about her person," Smith
said.

We laughed incredulously, but Smith maintained his gravity and persisted
in his statement.

"It is an easy matter to settle," said Fred. "Just prove to us the truth
of your statement, and we shall be as knowing as yourself."

The convict bent over the body and inserted his hand in a small opening
in the belly of the animal that resembled the mouth of a pouch, but
which had escaped our attention. He drew forth, as the result of his
investigation, a little, struggling kangaroo, that tried to induce Smith
to relinquish his grasp by snapping at his hand with its toothless
mouth.

While we were admiring the softness of its skin, the second one was
dragged to light; but it uttered shrill cries of terror, and endeavored
to effect its escape from the rough hands that held it.

"It is as bad as murder, killing the poor brute," cried Fred,
indignantly, he having recovered from the mortification of missing the
animal.

"And there are no judges upon earth to sentence its murderer," cried a
solemn voice.

We looked and found that the stockman had left the shadow of his hut,
and was occupied the same way as ourselves, gazing at the carcass of the
kangaroo.

"Man is merciless, and God punishes us all in his own good time," the
stockman continued, as he listened to the grief of the motherless
animals.

"Then why did you take her life?" demanded Fred.

"A man that is wronged seeks to shift his burden so that the load which
weighs him down may grow lighter."

The old man, without another expression of sorrow, turned away and
walked towards his hut again; while Smith, who was used to such scenes,
and therefore had hardened his heart, deliberately commenced skinning
the dead brute, and allowed the young ones to escape wherever they chose
to run.

That night we supped upon the meat of the kangaroo; and while feasting
there was little thought of the sorrow which we experienced at its
death.




CHAPTER VI.

ADVENTURE WITH A DOG.--THE MURDER IN THE RAVINE.--STORY OF AN OUTRAGED
WOMAN.


The flickering light of a fire, around which was seated three men with
sunburnt faces and long beard, hardly illuminated the bank of the river
sufficiently to distinguish objects ten yards distant. The men were
Smith the convict, Fred, and myself. Each of our mouths were graced with
dingy pipes, and while we puffed away diligently, our eyes were fixed
upon the cheerful blaze, silently watching the ever-changing embers, and
meditating upon the events of the day. The wind had gone to sleep with
the sun, and the heated air had given place to a coolness that felt
doubly refreshing after the scorching which we had undergone on the
prairie that forenoon.

The air was still perfumed with the smoke of broiled kangaroo meat,
attracting large numbers of a fox-like species of animals, that rarely
ventured from the surrounding darkness, into the light of our camp-fire,
but skulked in the vicinity, and waited for the time when sleep would
overpower us, and allow them free pillage of our larder. Occasionally an
impatient one would utter a short bark, as though expressive of his
disgust at our watchfulness, and after he had thus given vent to his
feelings, slink away into darkness again; but their fiery, eager eyes,
could be distinguished as they prowled around and jostled each other
while taking counsel.

It was near ten o'clock. We had lapsed into silence, and each one was
busy with his own thoughts, perhaps laying plans for the future. From
the time that our pipes were lighted not a word had been exchanged, and
I was just about knocking the ashes from mine, and proposing a
retirement to our blankets beneath the nearest tree, when the prolonged
howling of a dog attracted my attention.

I looked towards Smith for an explanation, but found that he was as much
puzzled as myself, and was holding his pipe in one hand, while his head
was bent in the direction of the sound, as though waiting for a
repetition before he ventured to express an opinion.

Again did the mournful sound ring across the prairie, and this time it
seemed nearer than when first heard. I thought I knew the bay, and could
have sworn that the animal was a staghound, and a full-blooded brute at
that. I had seen none of the breed since I had arrived in Australia, and
I thought it singular to find one at such a distance from Melbourne.

"What is that hound baying for at this time of night?" I asked of the
convict, who still remained speechless.

"Are you sure that it is a hound?" Smith inquired.

"Quite positive. There he goes again. The brute has treed some animal,
and is informing his master of its whereabouts," I replied, listening to
see in what direction the sound proceeded from.

"You are wrong there," cried Fred. "The dog is evidently coming this
way, and perhaps has started a kangaroo. If it comes within sight I'll
try it, even if I miss as I did this afternoon."

Fred laid his hand upon his rifle which was lying by his side, and tried
to peer into the darkness, but a moment's experiment convinced him of
the folly of his thought, and he laid the gun down again.

"I've never heard a sound like that since I left old England," the
convict said, as the baying continued, and grew nearer at each
repetition.

We all three felt an anxiety that we tried to conceal from each other.
The loneliness of our location, and the uncertainty of meeting with
friends in that part of the country, the frequent robberies that had of
late been committed, and the daring of the bushrangers, were all ample
cause for vigilance on our part; and perhaps we suspected that the dog
was used by some gang to discover the presence of travellers, and
expedite the work of pillage.

Nearer and nearer did the hound approach, and we had just time to snatch
our rifles from the ground, and start to our feet, when the animal
sprang into our narrow circle, and with subdued bays seemed to claim our
notice.

"Give him a wide berth," shouted the convict, swinging his sharp axe
over his head as though in readiness to bring it down upon the skull of
the dog if he showed signs of hostility. "Keep clear of the brute," he
continued, "for he may be mad."

The hound, a noble animal, with long, wiry limbs, and heavy jaws, around
which drops of foam were hanging, instead of shrinking from the uplifted
arm of the convict, seemed to measure the danger in which he stood at a
glance, and before we could interfere, or the heavy axe descend, sprang
full at the throat of Smith, and such was the impetuosity and suddenness
of the attack that the convict was borne to the ground, and for a moment
was at the mercy of the dog.

Fred and myself raised our rifles simultaneously, but before we brought
them to bear, the animal had quit his grip and began craunching some
bones which were lying near the fire, tearing the meat which adhered to
them in the most ravenous manner, and exhibiting all the signs of
starvation.

"Don't fire," shouted Smith, struggling to his feet. "Don't fire; you
see the poor brute is nearly starved."

We still held our rifles ready, however, and were half inclined to use
them; but, as we looked at the dog, and saw how greedily he was
devouring his food, we concluded to wait and see what he would do after
he had satisfied his appetite.

"The dog is rather quick and spiteful," cried Smith, rubbing his throat
and adjusting his shirt collar, which had been somewhat disarranged. "It
served me right for threatening him, when it's evident that he has
sought us peaceably."

The convict, instead of harboring malice, cut large pieces of flesh from
the body of the kangaroo and fed him. He greedily devoured all that was
offered, and wagged his long, rat-like tail in satisfaction. When,
however, he had nearly demolished one fore-quarter of our prize, he
walked a short distance from the fire and renewed his howling,
commencing on a low key, and gradually ascending, until the yells could
have been heard for miles.

"What is the matter with the brute?" asked Smith, turning to Fred and
myself, who were too perplexed to answer the inquiry; and, before we
could speak again, the hound walked slowly back to the fire, looked
piteously into our faces, and, strolling out into the darkness,
commenced baying as loud as ever.

Three several times did the intelligent animal seek to induce us to
follow him, without our comprehending his meaning; but when it was
evident that such was his desire, grave questions arose as to the
expediency of our doing so. We thought that possibly it was a trick to
induce us to leave our baggage so that the owners of the dog would have
an unrestricted opportunity to plunder the cart. Such things had
happened before, and why not again?

We glanced suspiciously at the hound as he stood near the fire, looking
at our faces and appearing to understand every word that was said on the
subject; indeed, when Smith stated, during the conversation, that he
would not on any account leave his wagon, the brute uttered a howl as
though he despaired of success, and turned all of his attention to Fred
and myself.

"Let us follow him," cried my friend, grasping his rifle as though he
feared nothing with that in his hand.

The dog, as soon as Fred had uttered the words, crouched at his feet and
licked his shoes, while a low bark testified to his joy.

I looked towards Smith for advice and guidance in the matter. He was
musing on the subject, but when he saw that we only waited for his
decision, he shouldered his axe, and nodded his head.

"Let us follow the brute," he cried. "We may be the means of saving
life, and, perhaps, much suffering. Lead the way, good dog, and take us
to your master."

The hound sprang from his crouching position at Fred's feet, and
started on a dog-trot along the road that led towards Melbourne. In a
few minutes, despite our exertions to keep pace with him, he was out of
sight; but we followed along the course which he had started, and after
a short time he returned to our sides, wagging his tail, and apparently
urging us to increase our speed.

A dozen times did he disappear in like manner, yet never for any length
of period; and after we had walked nearly three miles, the animal
abandoned the beaten track and continued across the prairie.

"I don't want to go a great ways in this direction," muttered the
convict, glancing around, and trying to pierce the darkness.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because, a few miles farther and we shall be near the forest which I
spoke to you about. It is infested with men better seen at a distance or
not at all."

In spite of Smith's fears, however, we tramped on quarter of an hour
longer, and then, by the uneasy movements of the dog, concluded that we
were not far from our destination.

Suddenly the animal sprang forward with a bay of warning, and
disappeared as if by magic. The next moment we were upon the steep bank
of a gulch, nearly thirty feet deep; and had not the actions of the dog
rendered us careful, we should have plunged headlong upon its rocky bed.

For a moment, we remained motionless, hardly daring to move, for fear
that one false step would lead us to our ruin; but, after listening for
a while, we heard the dog as he reached the bottom of the ravine, and
then we determined to follow at all hazards.

With careful steps we worked our way down the steep bank, and after half
an hour's toil found ourselves at the bottom. The hound was waiting for
us, and testified his impatience by a deep bay. The instant, however,
that we joined him, he became silent, and trotted on as before.

Suddenly a groan, but a few feet from us, caused us to halt, and hastily
look around. But a short distance from us were the indistinct outlines
of a cart, and near the vehicle was the hound, busily occupied in
lapping something that was lying upon the ground.

Another groan, and we moved towards the individual that seemed in such
deep distress. By the bright starlight, but which hardly penetrated the
gulch, we saw the form of a woman extended upon the rough rocks, while
near her lay the body of a man motionless.

"Here is work for us," cried Smith, all his genuine feeling returning;
and he threw his heavy axe aside, and in a twinkling had the woman's
head upon his knee, and was pouring down her throat a potion from a
black bottle which he carried in his pocket.

"Look to the man," he cried, assuming the leadership at once; and in
obedience to orders I knelt beside him, and placed my hand upon his
heart. He was cold, and his heart was motionless. As I withdrew my hand,
I felt that my fingers were moist and sticky. I tried to discover what
adhered to them, but the darkness was too great.

"Give me the matches, Smith," I said, quickly. "We will strike a light,
and investigate this affair."

A large quantity of drift wood was lying on the bed of the gulch, and
well dried by the hot summer's sun. I cut a few shavings, and a bright
fire was soon under headway, and cast its ruddy glare upon the group
collected around the cart, which was broken in half a dozen different
places, and had, apparently, been thrown from the banks above.

As soon as sufficient fuel was added, we turned our attention to the
woman whose head Smith was holding. Her eyes were closed, and her teeth
clinched like those of a person in a fit. There was not a vestige of any
color in her face, while her garments appeared as though they had
experienced rough usage, and were torn in a dozen different places. In
spite of the strong decoction which Smith had poured down her throat,
she did not revive, or appear to comprehend what was said to her; and
after rubbing her hands for a while, and finding that it did no good, I
devoted a few moments to an examination of the body of the man.

I now comprehended the meaning of the sticky substance which adhered to
my hand, for upon his breast were two large, ragged wounds, either of
which was sufficient to let out the life of a man, and from each had
oozed his blood until it had congealed in large lumps, and was held,
bag-like, by his thick flannel shirt.

"There has been murder committed here," I cried, holding up my hands,
stained with the vital fluid of the dead man.

"There has been more than murder," replied Fred, in a low tone. "There
has been violence offered to a woman."

"Impossible," I cried, with a shudder at the thought.

"Look and convince yourself, then," Fred said, seizing a burning brand
and holding it so that the light was thrown upon the face and body of
the insensible woman.

Upon her neck was a large, discolored spot, and a near examination
revealed the impression of finger-nails, as though she had been seized
with no gentle hand, and choked, until forced to yield compliance to
unholy wishes and desires.

Upon both sides of a neck that retained traces of beauty, although
bearing the impression of the sun's burning rays, were the dark marks to
be seen; and the hand that had left its impression was none of the
smallest, nor its grip the weakest, as we could readily see.

The hound had crouched close to us, and watched with wary eyes our
movements. Often did he rise and lick the face of the insensible woman,
and after uttering a howl of grief, retire to his resting place, to
mourn in secret for his loss.

"Force more of the liquor down her throat," cried Fred, who was rubbing
a hand that appeared accustomed to toil, for its palm was hard and
broad.

Smith once more brought his bottle into requisition, and forcing apart
the teeth, emptied a portion of its contents into her mouth. Whether the
chafing began to have its effect, or the liquor was uncommonly strong,
is a matter of doubt; but at any rate she strangled as though she would
never recover her breath, and ended by opening a pair of very frightened
blue eyes.

She raised her head from Smith's knee, glanced hurriedly and with
frightened looks first at Fred and then at myself, and before we were
aware of her intentions, sprang to her feet, and with loud shrieks
sought to escape. Before she had taken half a dozen steps, however,
Smith's stout arms were thrown around her, and he was calling to her in
gentle words to listen to reason, and to look upon him as a friend--that
he would protect her, and help avenge her injuries.

Part of his words were lost during the momentary struggle which occurred
between them; but when her strength failed, and she sank exhausted and
panting into his arms, for the first time she appeared to comprehend
that we were not bushrangers, but human beings and friends.

"Compose yourself," cried Smith, as gently as though he held an infant
in his arms. "See, even your dog is satisfied that we mean no harm; he
led us to this place, or you would have perished before morning. Tell us
what has happened, and how we can assist you."

"Where is my husband?" she asked, after a moment's silence, during which
her wild eyes wandered from face to face, as though seeking to verify
the truth of his words.

We returned no answer, and she repeated the question, though in a louder
tone, and appeared to doubt us because we kept silent.

"My husband! where is my husband?" she shrieked; and as she turned her
restless eyes towards the cart, she suddenly appeared to comprehend
every thing.

"He is dead--he is dead," she cried, starting to her feet, in spite of
the gentle restraint which Smith sought to impose upon her.

She saw the body of the man who had been murdered, and with a loud cry
she fell upon it, laid her head upon its cold bosom, and sobbed as
though her heart would break. We did not interrupt her grief, but the
faithful dog lay down beside her, and added his subdued howls to her
tears; and when she mourned the loudest, he would lick her hands and
face, and seek to comfort her with his love.

We heaped up fuel on the fire, and waited patiently for the time when
the woman would exhaust her grief, and give us some account of the
proceedings by which she and hers had suffered.

While Smith and Fred remained near the fire, they examined the cart to
see if it contained any thing that would be useful to the unfortunate
woman in her present hour of grief. There were a few culinary utensils,
besides a thin mattress and blankets--all thrown in promiscuously, as
though the load had been ransacked and rifled of every thing that was
valuable, and the remainder not considered worth taking away.

The night wore on, and light would soon herald the approach of day. It
was necessary that we should return to our camp, and look after our
effects; for who could tell how long they would he safe unless guarded
by a display of rifles? Besides, the cattle needed looking after, and
collecting, or they would be likely to stray back towards Melbourne and
get mixed with the wild animals which belonged to some of the numerous
stockmen on the road. Or the bushrangers might take a fancy for a change
of diet, and prefer beef to mutton; and in this case they would not be
likely to ask the permission of the owner of the animals, unless he was
stronger-handed than the robbers.

I saw Smith glance uneasily along the ravine, and edge towards the woman
as though he wished to cheer her in her affliction, and yet explain
about the large amount of property which he had left unprotected. As
her sobs had somewhat subsided, worn out by the violence of her
emotions, she appeared more calm; he made the attempt, and kneeling
beside her spoke,--

"We are strangers," he said, taking her sunburnt hand between his rough
palms, and looking at her as tenderly as though she had been his sister;
"we are strangers, but there is not a man present but will shed his
blood in your defence; and while we have strength there is no fear of
your suffering. Have confidence in us, and explain how this dreadful
affair happened."

He waited patiently for an answer, but some few minutes passed before
she could repress her sobs, which commenced anew at the sound of his
voice. At length she raised her head, brushed back the heavy masses of
hair which partly screened her face, and with an uncertain voice
replied,--

"I thank you for your offers of assistance, and accept them; for what
can I do alone in this desert without friends? My troubles are so
unexpected that if I do not appear grateful, attribute it to a want of
realization of the dreadful scenes through which I have passed since
yesterday. My husband--"

She threw herself upon his corpse again, and for a while her grief
recommenced with all its former violence. Smith soothed and comforted
her, and gradually was enabled to draw all the facts connected with the
murder from her unwilling lips.

"It is ten days since we arrived at Melbourne," she went on to say; "my
husband thought that we had better leave our two children at the city
with some friends, who were passengers in the same ship with ourselves,
until he had settled upon what occupation he should pursue. He had a
strong desire to try his luck at the mines, and as we had a little money
left after reaching this country, he invested it in buying a cart and
horse, and a few articles which were needed on the route. I was very
reluctant to part with my children, but I now perceive that it was for
the best; for it is probable that the little dears would have shared the
fate of their father, had they travelled with us. The chief object of
our visit to this country, however, was not so much a desire for wealth,
as the thought of meeting a parent whom I have been separated from since
I was a child."

She paused for a moment, and buried her face in her hands, as though
reluctant to proceed. Smith and I exchanged glances of surprise, while
the woman continued her rambling story.

"I am almost ashamed to say that my father was transported to Australia
for life; but he was innocent of the charge against him, and it has
since been made manifest; but government refuse to give him his liberty,
and he is still a convict."

"What was the charge upon which he was convicted?" asked Smith, with
breathless anxiety.

The woman hung her head and remained silent; and Smith was obliged to
repeat his question before he obtained an answer. His pertinacity seemed
cruel, but he had an object in view.

"He was charged with the death of my mother," she answered, her voice
stifled with tears.

"And your name before you were married was--"

"Mary Ogleton."

"It is the same," muttered Smith; but instead of revealing the good news
to her, he waited to hear the balance of her history since leaving
Melbourne. A few soothing words, and she continued,--

"Ten months since we had letters from my father, strongly urging us to
come to him, as he thought my husband would make a better living here
than in England. We were the more inclined to follow his advice, as the
letters contained drafts for money to help us pay our passage, which we
otherwise should not have been enabled to have done."

"Tell us about your journey since leaving the city," cried Smith, "for
we already know your history before that period."

She looked surprised, and continued,--

"Father wrote us that he was tending a flock of sheep on the road
leading to Ballarat, and that he could not leave his station even for a
day; but we were to write him if we intended coming, and he would have a
friend on the lookout for us. We answered his letter, saying that we
should embark on board of the first ship that sailed for Australia; but
when we reached port we found none to welcome us; and it was only after
diligent inquiries that we learned where he was located. Yesterday,
about noon, we thought that we must be near his home; and on inquiring
of a man that we met, he said that he knew him well, and would conduct
us to his hut. By his advice, we left the road which we had travelled
for four days, and struck across the prairie. I did not like the
appearance of our guide, and expressed my fears to my husband; but he
laughed at me, and placed implicit confidence in all that the stranger
said."

"What sort of looking man was your guide?" asked Smith.

"A dark-featured man, with long black beard, tall, and strongly framed.
Upon his forehead was a large scar, that looked as though recently
inflicted. I noticed him particularly, because I mistrusted him the
instant he offered to act as our guide."

"It was Black Darnley," cried Smith, in reply to my interrogation; "the
villain--he shall yet suffer for his treachery."

"That was the name by which his companions addressed him," cried the
woman, who overheard Smith's remark.

The convict encouraged her to continue her narrative, and motioned Fred
and myself to remain silent.

"He led us to the bank of this ravine, and said that we must here
abandon our team, and walk a few miles to father's hut. My husband
refused to follow his advice in that respect, and while Darnley was
urging him to do so, our dog, which had faithfully remained with us
since we left England, started in pursuit of a strange animal that
bounded along the prairie faster than the hound could run. We all became
interested in the chase, and when we lost sight of dog and animal, I
looked up and found five rough men close beside me. I started with
surprise; but before my husband could say a word, or use the gun which
he carried, Darnley discharged a pistol full at his breast, and he fell
dead. I remember nothing more, or, if I do, I pray to God that I may
soon forget it, or else join my husband in heaven. Were I childless, I
would dash my head against these rough stones, and so end my days."

As she finished her story, she bowed her head upon her husband's cold
bosom, and her tears flowed fast and freely, while her frame shook as
though she was laboring under an attack of ague.

"Listen to me," said Smith, at length, laying his hand upon her arm to
attract her attention: "we have a long journey before us, and time is
precious; but we will lose a day for the purpose of restoring you to
your father. Trust me, I know him, and if you think you can walk a few
miles, a few hours from now will see you in his arms."

"I am strong now," she said, rising, as though the news had given her
new life.

"Then lean on me, and I will assist you up this bank. Courage--remember
you live for your children and parent now."

As Smith offered his strong arm, she accepted it; but a sudden thought
took possession of her mind, and she quitted his side and once more
threw herself upon the body of her husband.

"I cannot leave him," she shrieked, clasping her arms around his neck,
and pressing her head upon his bosom. "He has been my only friend for
years; he did not despise me when he knew that my parent was a convict;
he has loved me, and is the father of my children. Let me remain with
him, and die upon his breast."

"This is madness," Fred cried, impatiently.

"Hush," said Smith. "Consider what the poor thing has suffered, and
treat her gently as a sister."

The stout convict, whose heart had been strongly touched by her story
and deep love, raised her in his arms, soothed her, spoke words of
comfort to her, and promised if she would but leave the spot, that the
body of her husband should soon follow her, and be buried in a
Christian-like manner.

She listened like one who did not comprehend his meaning, and all the
time that he was talking, her eyes were fixed upon the pale face of her
husband, as though she expected each moment to hear his voice, and see
him start to his feet, and open his arms for her protection.

With gentle force we urged her away from the distressing sight, and
when, after long labor, we had gained the bank of the ravine, we found
that the poor woman was nearly unconscious, and hardly capable of
moving.

"Where now?" I asked of Smith, as we carried her along.

"To the hut of Ogleton," he cried; "and then, if I mistake not, we shall
have work before us."

"What kind of work?" asked Fred, who was carrying the rifles, and the
sharp axe of the convict.

"The work of revenge," cried Smith, solemnly.

"I am ready for it," exclaimed Fred, brandishing his rifle; "God only
grant us all strength to perform it."

And as we staggered along the prairie with our burden, the dark clouds
in the east broke away, and revealed the glowing tints of the rising
sun; and a hundred bright-plumed birds darted through the air, awakening
the solitude of that vast plain with their shrill calls, and each cry
seemed to say, "Revenge! revenge!"




CHAPTER VII.

BLACK DARNLEY'S VILLANY.--THE CONVICT STOCKMAN.


A brighter sun never shone upon the barren plains and fertile valleys of
Australia, than that which appeared above the horizon on the morning
after the murder and deed of violence committed by Black Darnley and his
gang of bushrangers. Our party had not closed their eyes in sleep during
the night, yet not one of us felt the least fatigue or desire to rest,
until the woman, who was under our protection, had been placed beneath
the shelter of her father's roof, humble as it was, and removed from all
society and scenes of civilization.

As we supported the unhappy woman towards the habitation of the convict,
and spoke words of encouragement which fell upon listless ears, we
thought of a parent's love, and how strong it must exist in the heart of
that old man, who had grown morose under his wrongs, yet still clung to
the recollection of his child, and fancied her a girl, instead of a
full-grown woman, and the mother of a family.

We had no doubt that her reception by her father would be warm; but we
dreaded to know how he would deport himself upon the news of the harsh
treatment which she had received being explained to him. He was
represented to us by Smith as a man of quick passions--bold and
fearless, or he would never have accepted the situation to which he was
attached--surrounded, as he was, with dangerous neighbors--convicts, who
cared no more about shedding the blood of a man than they did for the
lamb which they slaughtered when hungry--wild beasts, who prowled around
the fields at night, and skulked near during the day, and who, if urged
by starvation, would attack the shepherds, provided they interposed
between them and their prey.

This was the kind of man that was to be told that his daughter had
suffered at the hands of men whom he had spoken with weekly for months,
and who respected him only because they knew him to be no coward, and a
convict like themselves.

Our walk across the prairie was slow and laborious. We were compelled to
govern our pace with that of the woman, and as she was half-dead with
grief, and insensible to our words of encouragement, we concluded to let
her cry without hindrance on our part, and only hoped that our wagon
might escape pillage during our long absence.

It was about nine o'clock when we reached the place where we were camped
the night before. The wagon remained where we had left it; but it needed
no tongue to tell that it had been visited, while we were away, and that
a portion of the load was removed. Boxes of goods were overturned, and
tops wrenched off, bales were cut open, and their contents scattered
upon the ground; and, upon a near examination, we found that the
impudent robbers had used our dishes to feast from, and that there were
still smoking brands upon the fire where they had boiled their coffee,
as though they knew we should be absent all night, and had plenty of
time to enjoy themselves before our return.

For a few minutes, after Smith had seen the havoc which the bushrangers
had made with his cargo, he seemed to need as much comforting as the
unfortunate female under his charge. But he was a man, and had seen too
much of the world's trials to get discouraged, so he proceeded to gather
up his goods in the most philosophical manner, although an occasional
oath did escape him as he missed some article of value which he knew
could not be replaced except in Melbourne.

While Smith was occupied with his cargo Fred and myself proceeded to
cook breakfast, a meal which we stood very much in need of, considering
the labors of the night; but before we did so, our female friend was
placed upon blankets and screened from the hot sun. She refused all
offers of nourishment, and would not drink even a cup of strong tea
which we proffered her. Coffee, we unfortunately had none, as the
bushrangers had taken a fancy to the few pounds which were on the cart,
and carried it with them, rejecting with seeming contempt the green
leaves of China, of which there was a large box undisturbed.

Even the flesh of the kangaroo which we had hung upon the limb of a tree
was saved; but our store of salt pork was gone, also the few vegetables,
worth almost their weight in gold at the mines, which had been treasured
until we should arrive at our destination.

Fred uttered a curse when he found that there was not a single potato
left; but, after he had vented his displeasure, he applied his energies
to the matter before him with all his usual determination.

Fred's clothing and my own, contained in one small canvas bag, was gone,
and we stood in all that we owned. That did not distress us, however,
for we were not likely to go into society where a change of dress was
expected, but we did growl when we found that the scamps had carried off
all our powder, excepting what our flasks contained.

"Whose work is this?" asked Fred, who was broiling a piece of kangaroo
on a stick, and in a very artistic manner, for the purpose of tempting
the poor woman's appetite.

Smith, to whom the question was addressed, straightened his stout form,
and held up a number of flannel shirts, which he was taking to the mines
on a venture. They had been cut with knives in the most wanton manner,
and hardly a square inch had escaped.

"There is evidence enough of the perpetrator," replied Smith, pointing
to the holes.

"Well, who is he?" cried Fred, sprinkling a little salt upon the burning
flesh.

"There is but one gang of bushrangers in these parts who inflict wanton
injury upon the goods of carriers. That gang is Darnley's!"

"And yet you pardoned him once when he was in your power," I said.

"True; and had I been here my cargo would have escaped molestation. He
little thought that he was injuring me. I will do him the justice of
saying that."

"He and his gang should be swept from the face of the earth," cried
Fred, who, having cooked and seasoned the meat to his satisfaction, now
approached the woman, who was lying upon a blanket, apparently
unconscious of what was going on around her.

He had but uttered the words when she started to her feet, grasped his
arm with a vehemence utterly at variance with her previous docility, and
exclaimed,--

"You are right, Kill the monster! Kill him, for he is unfit to live.
Kill him, for he has wronged an unprotected woman, and committed
outrages that will condemn him to eternal punishment in the next world."

She released her grasp of Fred and fell to the ground, where she sat
rocking her body to and fro, uttering moans of anguish. But she no
longer shed tears, and her eyes looked wild and threatening, as though
her troubles had affected her reason.

"Who talks of killing?" cried a deep voice. "That is God's prerogative,
not man's nor vain woman's."

We started, and turning saw that the convict stockman had approached us
unawares, and was leaning on his long gun, keenly scanning the features
of the unfortunate woman.

"There are some crimes which God designs man to punish," answered Smith,
desisting from his occupation of gathering up his traps. "I think that
the scoundrels who robbed my team deserve hanging, and I don't want to
wait until they are dead to know that they are receiving punishment in
the next world."

"The world to come is one of darkness to us mortals, and who can pierce
its blackness. But God has promised light, and behold the angel of the
Lord will reveal all things, for so sayeth the Book of all books."

"I don't know what you mean," replied Smith, who had listened
attentively to the wild, rambling speech of the convict without
comprehending its import; "but this I do know, that I would mash the
heads of the bushrangers who robbed my cart, if they were within the
reach of my axe."

"Trust in God for vengeance, for to him does it belong," exclaimed the
convict, drawing a dirty looking and well-thumbed Testament from his
pocket, and turning over leaf after leaf as though seeking for a
particular chapter.

"We must get him to put up his book, or he'll read from now till
sundown," cried Smith, with visible alarm at the idea of being compelled
to listen.

"Here is an unfortunate woman that needs your assistance," said Smith,
laying a hand upon the old man's arm, and calling his attention to his
child.

"Does she need spiritual assistance, or only food for the body? Her
looks are like those of a person who has been suffering."

"She has suffered much within twenty-four hours, and her only friend now
is that dog that keeps so close to her."

"Let her be comforted," the convict cried, approaching her; "if her
sorrow is ever so deep, it can be healed."

He closed his book as he spoke and approached his child, who sat with
downcast eyes, and apparently unconscious of his presence.

"Daughter," he began; but at the sound of his voice so near, she raised
her eyes hastily, and on her face could be seen the emotions and
struggles to recollect where she had before heard his tones. She
pressed her hand to her forehead as though forcing memory to reveal its
secret, but suddenly the truth was revealed to her.

"Father," she cried, starting to her feet, and throwing her arms around
that white-headed man's neck, venerable before his time. "Father! O God,
is it you?"

She laid her aching head upon his bosom, and, with her arms around his
neck, shed tears as freely as she did the day that she was separated
from him, as she thought, forever.

The convict staggered back, and would have fallen, had not Fred's strong
arm supported him. He glanced from face to face as though trying to read
the meaning of the surprise, and then he turned his looks upon his
daughter.

"Mary," he cried, after pushing the hair from her forehead, "can it,
indeed, be my child--has the little girl whom I left in England grown to
be a woman!"

He held her close in his embrace as though he feared that something
would happen to prevent his seeing her again. He kissed the tears from
her cheeks, and begged her to be calm, and to tell him about her voyage,
and lastly to speak about her husband and children.

Her sobs were her only response. He grew impatient at her refusal to
answer his interrogations, and then suspicions of foul play entered his
imagination.

"There has been some wrong done you," he cried, appealing to his
daughter.

She answered with tears and moans.

"Speak, and tell me who has dared to injure you," he cried vehemently.
"Was it your husband?"

His brow grew threatening and black, as he put the question.

There was no reply, but his daughter clung to his neck with a more
convulsive grasp, as though she feared to lose her parent also.

He glanced from Smith to Fred, and from the latter to myself, as though
debating whether we were the guilty party.

"Tell me," he cried, lifting her head from his shoulder, and seeking to
get a glimpse of her face, "who has wronged you?"

There was no response. He placed her gently upon the blankets, and then
with a face that was livid with rage, grasped his musket which had
fallen to the ground.

"Which of you has dared to do this?" he asked, and the ominous click of
the lock of the gun proved that he was in earnest, and that all of his
worst passions were aroused.

No one answered. I looked towards Smith, expecting to hear him explain
every thing; but, to my surprise, he was silent; evidently too much
astonished at the unexpected turn which the affair had assumed, to
speak.

My look was misconstrued by the indignant convict, for before I could
speak, the long gun was levelled at the breast of Smith, and in another
moment all his hopes and fears would have been at an end, had not his
child started up and rushed towards him.

"Not him!" she shouted, wildly. "O God, not him!"

He dropped the muzzle of his gun, but his fierce eyes still glared from
Fred to me.

"Which of these two?"

He indicated us with a motion of the hand that held the gun, and looked
in his child's face for confirmation.

"Neither, father--so help me Heaven, neither. Without the aid of these
friends I should have perished."

He dropped the muzzle of the gun, and each of us felt thankful as he did
so, for we had witnessed the accuracy of his aim the day before, and
while the muzzle of the musket was pointed towards us, one of our lives
was not worth insuring.

"You are tired and distressed," the convict said, addressing his
daughter with a degree of tenderness that I thought wonderful after his
late outbreak.

"My head," she murmured, "feels as though it would burst; while my heart
is broken already."

"Rest a while, until I confer with your new-found friends, and then you
shall accompany me to my home. It is a hut, but it is all I have to
shelter you."

It was singular to witness how soon the recluse had once more become an
active man of the world, and for a while forgotten his Bible and
religious fanaticism.

"Tell me all that has happened," the convict said, motioning for us
three to follow him a short distance from his daughter, so that our
conversation could not be overheard by her.

Smith related the strange visit of the hound, and his leading us to the
scene of the murder--our finding his child in an insensible
condition--the story of her wrongs, and our surprise at finding that she
was in search of him. He listened with clinched teeth, and only
interrupted the narrative with groans of rage and anguish. When he knew
all, we waited to see what course he would pursue.

To our surprise, he did not speak, but turned away as though about to
seek his home.

"Stay one moment," cried Smith, laying his hand upon his shoulder.

"Well," cried the convict, impatiently.

"What do you propose to do?" we asked.

"Are you Americans, and ask that question?" he demanded.

"You think of seeking Black Darnley?" Smith continued.

"I do."

"Alone?"

"Alone."

"You shall not," cried Smith, with sudden energy. "You are no match for
him and his gang."

"My daughter's injury must be avenged. I go alone to consummate it."

"Stay until to-morrow, and we will accompany you," Fred and myself cried
with one accord.

The convict hesitated for a moment, then suddenly extended his hands,
and while he wrung ours, promised a compliance. The next instant he had
lifted his daughter in his arms, and was walking with the burden towards
his hut.

We saw no more of him until towards night, and then he was in front of
the hut cleaning his long, heavy musket.




CHAPTER VIII.

AN EXPEDITION.--A FIGHT WITH BUSHRANGERS.--DEATH OF BLACK DARNLEY.


"I don't like the expedition," said Smith, pettishly, as he saw Fred and
myself examining our powder-flasks and counting bullets.

"Then stay here and await our return," cried Fred, bluntly, looking up
from his work.

Smith moved uneasily, muttered something in an under tone, felt the edge
of his constant companion, a heavy axe, and then replied,--

"If you two harum-scarum youngsters are determined to get your throats
cut, I don't see but that I shall have to be near at hand. But I tell
you it is bad business, and none but crazy men would think of
penetrating that dark forest in search of bushrangers."

"You wouldn't let that old man go alone, would you?" we asked.

"No; but then--"

He stopped a moment, as though to collect his thoughts, and pettishly
exclaimed,--

"D---- it, you are going in search of the worst gang on the island.
Black Darnley is equal to all three of us in a personal encounter."

"But suppose we kept him at bay, and tried the effect of rifle shot?" I
asked, holding up a short, heavy, instrument, carrying about twenty-five
to a pound.

"The rifle looks like a true one, and I know that you boys can shoot,
but suppose that you didn't get the chance?"

"Then we must trust to luck," answered Fred, coolly.

"I'm no great hand at bush-fighting," replied Smith; "but we have joined
our fortunes for a trip to the mines, and I'm not the man to desert you
at the time of need."

"Then you'll go?" we asked.

"Yes; if I get killed it matters not much."

In half an hour we were ready; each man carried a small knapsack,
containing a few cakes of bread and the remains of the kangaroo, while
Smith provided himself with a small bottle, the contents of which he
kept a profound secret.

Not knowing whether we should ever be fortunate enough to return and
claim the few articles of property that belonged to us, Fred and myself
paused for a moment to bid them farewell.

Standing in the doorway of the stockman's hut, we saw the form of his
injured daughter watching us on our tramp. She remained motionless'
until we turned to continue our march, and then she waved a blood-red
handkerchief as though bidding us remember her injuries and avenge them.

Right before us, at a distance of five miles, was a dark line of trees,
extending for many leagues along the horizon. In the depths of that
forest few white men had ever penetrated. Once, a dozen of the police of
Melbourne attempted to break up a gang of bushrangers who sheltered
themselves upon the edge of this wild region. On the alarm being given,
the villains discharged a volley at the officers and then fled. Five of
the police were killed or wounded, but the remainder, nothing daunted,
started in pursuit. They got separated amidst the thickets, and but one
man returned alive to Melbourne. The remainder either got lost and
starved to death, or else were killed by the bushrangers. After that,
government was content to offer large rewards for the apprehension of
the escaped convicts, but the police did not care to venture a second
time into their dread abode.

I have mentioned these circumstances to show that the undertaking upon
which we had embarked was one of no ordinary kind; that there was much
peril and little honor to be gained in an encounter with half a dozen
desperate men, who knew that their lives depended upon the stout
resistance which they should offer, and of course would fight to the
death.

If we did look sharply to the loading of our rifles, and felt the long
bowie knives that we carried at our waist to find whether the blades
worked easily in their sheaths, it was because we expected to use them,
and knew that our only hope to return alive was by a prompt employment
of the deadly weapons when an encounter took place.

It was near nine o'clock when we halted upon the outskirts of the dark
forest. Hardly a ray of the hot sun penetrated the woods; all was gloomy
and silent. Occasionally a parrot upon the borders of the forest uttered
a shrill scream, and then spreading its gaudy wings sought shelter upon
the bough of a tall tree, from whence it could watch our movements
without danger.

The hound, which we had taken with us, ran with his nose close to the
ground, sometimes moving within a few feet of the trees, and then
starting off, scouring the prairie in his search, but always returning,
until he suddenly stopped before what seemed a dense thicket. During all
the time that he had been upon the scent not a cry had escaped him;
indeed, he seemed to realize that silence was our only safety, and acted
accordingly.

"The dog has found the trail of the bushrangers," the convict said,
suddenly halting, and waiting for the rest of us to join him.

"The dog is keen on the scent, and acts as though trained to track
runaways," cried Smith, resting his heavy axe upon the ground, and
rubbing his shoulder where the skin was nearly worn off by friction.

The animal bounded towards us, wagged his tail, looked into our faces
with his knowing eyes, and then trotted slowly back to the thicket
before which he had halted in the first place.

"Don't let us stand here all day under this broiling sun," cried Fred,
impatiently. "If we are to search for bushrangers, let's begin and get
through with the job as soon as possible."

"There is no haste," cried the aged convict, in a tone of reproach. "Our
success depends upon the degree of caution that we employ. Our object is
to surprise the party we are in pursuit of, and not let them surprise
us."

"O, I understand," replied Fred, indifferently; "something of the Indian
style of warfare, hey? Well, we are somewhat used to that, and can
follow a trail as well as any amateur hunters in the country."

The convict made no reply, but examined the priming of his gun,
tightened the sash which he wore around his waist, and then, briefly
surveying the little party, as though calculating on the relative
strength of each man, he moved forward.

We gained the thicket, where the dog was awaiting us. No entrance
through the dense undergrowth met our view; and had we not known that
the dog came from a breed of hounds that never deceive, we should have
deemed it impossible for human beings to have entered the forest in that
direction.

For some time we examined the premises to find an opening; but none
appearing, Smith swung his axe over his head and let its sharp edge
strike the bushes, intending to cut a passage. As if by magic the boughs
gave way, and we discovered an opening which bore the appearance of
having been frequently used.

A brief examination convinced us of the fact. The branches of young
trees and the tops of the bushes were so interlaced that no one would
have suspected that an entrance into the forest was possible in that
quarter. It proved to us that we were near the encampment of
bushrangers, but whether the party we were in pursuit of, was more than
we could tell.

We motioned to the hound to lead the way, and the noble animal, after a
brief examination of the ground, trotted slowly forward.

Our steps were taken with caution, for we wished to come upon the
outlaws unexpectedly.

For ten minutes we continued our silent march, the dog leading the way
with unwavering instinct, avoiding the thickets and dense growth of
trees,--hardly noticing the small wild animals of the hare species that
ran before his very nose,--until he suddenly stopped and looked into our
faces, as much as to say, "Now, pray be cautious."

"Hist!" cried the convict, who led the way, holding up his finger. "I
smell smoke."

"And I can see it," replied Fred, pointing to an opening in the trees
nearly a quarter of a mile distant.

We all strained our eyes in the direction that Fred indicated, and I no
longer doubted that we were in the vicinity of an encampment, although
neither Smith nor the convict was ready to testify that they saw signs
of fire.

"I call my eyes as clear and keen as most any one's," Smith said; "but
if you can see smoke it's more than I can do."

"My eyes are not so good as they were twenty years back, and I trust
more to the scent than the sight. Now I can smell smoke, but see none,"
the aged convict said, inhaling his breath as though trying to
distinguish from what direction it came.

"You Englishmen have never lived in one of our American forests, or you
would be better acquainted with the appearance of smoke when it came
from a fire that has long been neglected and is about dying out. I will
wager a pound of good rifle powder that in yonder clearing we shall find
a camp of bushrangers, and that the smoke which we see comes from the
fire they made when they returned from their nocturnal excursion last
night."

"You may be right," the convict said, in a musing tone. "If we are," he
continued, "in close proximity to those we seek, what do you advise?"

"I would advise a seperation of forces--let Jack and myself approach the
encampment in one direction, while you and Smith can steal towards it
from another. There are many reasons why we should act in this manner,
and you do not need my advice to be convinced of its force."

"May the God of battles aid us," muttered the convict, _sotto voce_, as
though fearful we should catch his words and fears. "I see," he
continued, "the force of your reasoning. When you are ready for the
attack, discharge your rifles, and mind and not waste a single shot."

The convict stalked on as he ceased speaking, following the lead of the
dog. We were about to start in a different direction, but still verging
towards the smoke, when we were detained by a few words from Smith.

"Remember, boys," he hurriedly whispered, "that if any thing occurs, you
are to take charge of my property and remit the sale of it to my mother.
She is somewhere, in London, I believe. Take care of yourselves, and
remember that it was not I that proposed this confounded excursion."

He squeezed our hands as he spoke, and the next minute we lost sight of
his burly form as he followed in the wake of the convict.

Still keeping the smoke in view, Fred and myself struck off in another
direction. We carefully picked our way through the forest, hardly making
noise enough to alarm the numerous birds that were perched upon the
trees, in the deep shade, to avoid the heat of the sun. Not a dry stick
was trodden upon to send forth its crackling sound--not a bough was
brushed past rudely for fear its waving top should give an alarm.
Silently we stole along, and were, as we thought, near the camp. We
crept upon our hands and knees until we came in sight of an open space,
and then upon the first glance we knew that we were close to a gang of
bushrangers.

In the middle of the clearing was a low hut, covered with the hides of
bullocks, which were nailed on shingle fashion, for the purpose of
excluding rain. The logs did not fit very snugly together on the sides
of the cabin, and grass was crowded into the chinks, although in some
places it had been pushed out as for the purpose of enabling those
within to take a survey of the different approaches to the hut. A fire
was smoking before the door, looking as though it had been kindled many
hours before and allowed to die out for want of fuel.

The only other sign of life was a grass hammock, which swung from the
branch of a tree, not more than four feet from the ground, and which
appeared to contain some person who was sleeping. For ten minutes after
we reached our allotted station we waited for Smith and the convict to
gain a position and give the signal for an attack.

[Illustration: Throwing down the weapon with an oath, the ruffian drew a
long knife; but before he had an opportunity to use it, the heavy axe
descended upon his unprotected head, and crashing through skull and
brains, it clove him to the chin. Page 66.]

There were no signs of them, and we began to fear that they had strayed
from the right path, when a small kangaroo dog walked lazily from the
cabin and stood near the door, as though debating whether he should
return and finish his nap or exercise in the open air. He was not long
in making up his mind, for his keen scent detected something in the
atmosphere that was not right; and where we were lying we could see his
sharp eyes glance suspiciously around, and saw the stiff hair upon his
back rise as though getting ready to meet the danger that was near at
hand.

There was suddenly a bay--a loud, angry bark, and then the hound which
had belonged to the murdered man bounded into the enclosure and fastened
his strong teeth into the neck of the dog, the latter hardly offering
battle so sudden was the onslaught.

There was a yelp of pain as the hound shook the smaller animal in his
strong jaws, and that cry raised an alarm that brought half a dozen men,
with long red and black beards, and repulsive faces, to the door of the
hut.

We saw their look of surprise as their eyes alighted upon the fighting
dogs--we saw them glance hastily around, and raise their guns, which
they carried in their hands, as though to get ready for a sudden attack;
and while we were in a state of uncertainty, and almost ready to
commence the fight, a tall, powerful-built man, with heavy beard and
long hair, rolled from the hammock in which he had been swinging, and
rushed towards the yelping brutes.

"Whose dog is that?" he shouted, "and why do you stand there like a pack
of fools, allowing them to make noise enough to wake the whole forest?
We shall have the beaks upon us if this continues;" and as he spoke, he
raised the branch of a tree which was lying near the fire, and lifting
it as easily as a common man would a walking stick, he struck at the
hound, who still held the kangaroo dog by the throat, and growled at his
slightest movement as though he feared that one of the parties concerned
in his master's murder would escape.

I held my breath while the huge club was suspended in the air, wielded,
I knew full well, by the strong arms of Black Darnley. Twice I raised my
rifle to my shoulder; and thought to interpose against what I considered
certain death to the brute, but a fear that Smith and the convict were
not at their stations prevented me.

I almost shouted a warning to the dog as the club descended, but my
fears were vain; for the animal sprang aside, and the stick fell heavily
upon the sharp-nosed dog of the bushrangers. He gave one yell, and was
crushed into a shapeless mass.

The ruffian uttered an oath of rage; but before he could renew the
attack the hound flew full at him, and fastened his long fangs into
Darnley's throat. The latter staggered back, surprised at the sudden
attack, but only for an instant. His stout hands were quickly raised,
and then his grasp encompassed the dog's throat so tightly that his eyes
nearly started from their sockets, and he was glad to unclinch his
teeth, and gasp for breath.

Full at arm's length did Darnley hold the animal, and we could see a
grim smile steal over his face as he thought of the pain he was
inflicting. The gang started forward to assist the ruffian, but with an
oath he bade them keep back and let him alone. I feared the dog's life
was short, and determined to save it, but I was anticipated.

I heard the sharp crack of Fred's rifle close by my side, and following
the direction of his aim, I saw Darnley loosen his hold of the dog,
stagger back, press one hand upon his side as though he felt a sudden
pain; but still he kept his feet, and waved to his gang encouragement,
while his voice exclaimed,--

"The beaks are upon us, d----n 'em; show no quarter or mercy; fight till
you die, or you'll all be hanged."

He staggered towards the hut as he spoke, but in trying to keep his
balance, removed his hand from his side. A torrent of blood gushed
forth, and dyed the ground a scarlet hue; he strove to keep upon his
feet, but his strength was ebbing fast, and with a reel and lurch, like
some strong ship before foundering, he fell to the ground, never to rise
again.

His gang had rushed into the hut upon the first discharge, leaving their
leader alone, unsupported; but as he fell, they issued forth, each armed
with muskets and long pistols, and a profusion of knives.

"Fire," whispered Fred, as he hastily loaded his rifle.

I disliked the idea of shedding blood, and hesitated; but before Fred
had driven his rifle ball home there was a discharge opposite to us, and
another bushranger fell bleeding to the ground.

They raised a startling yell for vengeance, and rushed towards the spot
where the smoke was ascending from the discharged musket. Before they
had reached half way across the clearing, Fred and myself poured in our
deadly fire, and two more of the escaped convicts fell mortally wounded.

They were then seized with a panic, and separating, each one seemed
determined to seek safety in flight; but before they gained the shelter
of the woods our revolvers were brought into requisition, and one more
ravisher was made to bite the dust.

"May the God of Israel give us strength to kill them," shouted the
convict, bursting through the thick bushes with his long gun in hand,
and his white hair streaming over his shoulders.

"No mercy to the scoundrels," cried Smith, waving his heavy axe over his
head, and advancing at a run in pursuit.

That cry came near being his last; for one of the bushrangers, seeing
that he had no gun, suddenly turned in his flight, and raising his
musket, presented it full at the broad breast of Smith. The latter did
not falter or dodge, but rushed towards the robber with uplifted axe,
uttering, as he advanced, a wild cry that startled me, it was so loud
and shrill, and sounded like the last yell of a dying man in agony.

I feared to see the villain discharge his musket, for I knew that Smith
was so near that he could not well be missed. I would have shot the
fellow myself, but my rifle was empty; still thinking to save him, I ran
hastily towards the parties; but before I had advanced ten steps I saw
the bushranger's musket flash in the pan, but no report followed. His
gun had missed fire.

Throwing down the weapon with an oath, the ruffian drew a long knife;
but before he had an opportunity to use it the heavy axe descended upon
his unprotected head, and crashing through skull and brains, it clove
him to the chine.

With no groan or word he fell; and when I reached the side of Smith
there was not another bushranger left to battle with. We were masters of
the field, and not one of us had received a wound.

"Let us praise God for this victory," cried the aged convict, removing
his apology for a hat, and casting his eyes heavenward.

"Humph," grunted Smith; "we'd better make preparations for quitting
these woods, instead of praying, according to my fancy."

"To Him alone belongs the praise for this day's work--for this mighty
triumph," cried the old man, whose religious feelings were all awakened
by the carnage.

"I don't dispute that the Lord lent his aid, but to my mind, if it
hadn't been for these two Americans, he'd deserted us in the hour of
need. Two good rifle shots are a great help towards obtaining a
victory," exclaimed Smith, wiping his axe of the crimson gore which
still adhered to it, and glancing around the clearing, as though he
expected there might be more bushrangers starting up to offer battle at
any moment.

"The Almighty is powerful, and can crush at his pleasure."

"We all know that," cried Smith, impatiently, "but to my mind it's
better to examine yonder hut, and then make our way back to the team as
fast as possible, for there's no knowing how soon we may have a new gang
to contend with."

His advice appeared so reasonable that we instantly prepared to follow
it; but first we stopped by the side of Black Darnley, and examined to
see whether he was dead. The rifle ball had made sure work, having
passed through his left side in the direction of his heart, and made its
exit below the ribs opposite. On the dark face of the dead man was a
look of defiance, as though even in his death-struggle he had tried to
gain his feet, and to face his enemies with his latest breath.

I removed the pistols which he wore in his belt, and as no one presented
a better claim for them than Fred and myself, I divided with him; and
during our long sojourn in Australia, he kept one, and I the other. He
still clings to his, while I have deposited mine in the office of the
American Union, as a sort of memento of times long past.

A visit to the hut was next paid, and there, heaped up in a corner, we
not only found the goods which were stolen from Smith's cart, but
numerous other articles; and while we were sorting them, I kicked aside
some dirt, and saw a flat stone. Curiosity prompted me to move it, and
underneath was a hoard of gold dust, gold coins, silver dollars, and
English shillings and half crowns, the whole amounting to about two
thousand pounds.

Without stopping to divide it, we gathered it up with the most
convenient articles for carrying away, and then setting fire to the hut,
left it blazing, knowing full well that those of the gang who escaped
would return before long with reënforcements, and that our lives were
not worth much if we were taken by surprise.

We gained the open prairie, and without stopping to rest, continued our
march, until we reached the hut of the convict stockman. The daughter of
the latter came out to us, and as she laid her hand upon her father's
arm, she whispered,--

"Is he dead?"

He nodded his head, and then I saw a gleam of satisfaction cross her
face, as she thought of her injuries, and the prompt manner in which
they had been avenged.




CHAPTER IX.

THE STOCKMAN'S DAUGHTER.--MOUNTED POLICE OF MELBOURNE.


The day after our return from the excursion in pursuit of bushrangers,
the cattle were yoked together, and had been attached to the cart for an
hour, before the convict issued from his hut.

Twice had Smith cracked his long whip, each time crushing large green
flies that had alighted on the flank of the nearest ox, and yet the lash
so lightly fell that not a hair of the animal was ruffled, or a particle
of pain inflicted. I never understood the science of using a whip until
I learned it upon the plains of Australia, and saw stockmen, with one
wave of their weapon, cut chips of hide and quivering flesh from the
panting sides of frightened or contrary cattle.

As the convict advanced to meet us, Smith rose from his seat with an
expression of gratitude at the prospect of soon being enabled to move.

"Well," said Smith, speaking first, "you see we are ready to start, yet
we could not go without bidding you good-by."

"I have much to thank you for," he said, his eyes cast to the ground as
though fearful of looking up and exposing the weakness which oozed from
them, and wet his long gray beard. "My child thanks you all for the
promptness with which you have revenged her wrongs; and to these two
Americans she says, that her prayers shall ever ascend for your safe
return to your country, and that happiness may await you when you have
rejoined the friends of your childhood."

"Can we bid her farewell, at parting?" asked Fred.

"If you wish it, yes," answered the convict: "but I have prayed with her
all night, and have besought the Lord to strengthen her heart under this
load of affliction. She is calm now, and when you speak do not allude to
her bereavement, or recall yesterday's bloody tragedy."

As he ceased speaking, he returned to the hut, and emerged leading the
widow. Her looks were much changed since we had seen her the day before.
Weeping and fasting, and sleepless nights, and above all, the thoughts
of her husband's sudden death, had so preyed upon her spirits that she
seemed like another person.

"Here are the two Americans, child, who wish to bid you farewell," her
father said, when he saw that she was disposed to pay no attention to
us.

Twice did he speak before she comprehended him; and after she had placed
her hands to her head, as though to recall a recollection of our
features, a faint look of recognition came over her face, and her leaden
eyes were lighted up with some such expression as we had seen the day
before, when she asked if Black Darnley was dead.

"You are sure that he is dead?" she asked in a low whisper, seizing Fred
by the arm, and gazing into his blank-looking face.

"Whom do you mean?" Fred inquired, evading her question.

"You know; Black Darnley,--the wretch who killed my husband, and injured
me. You look like him; but your face is not so black, and your hair is
lighter. But you may have changed it for the purpose of deceiving and
wronging me again. Ah, the more I look at you the firmer am I convinced
that you are the wretch."

She pushed his arm away, and turned with flashing eyes upon her parent,
speaking vehemently,--

"You told me that Darnley was dead, and that my injuries were avenged;
and yet you see him standing before you alive, and insulting me with
infamous propositions. Have I no friend here to protect me?"

"We are all your friends," I replied, in a soothing tone.

"It is false! There is not a man here, or Black Darnley would not live
to see another sun. Men, indeed? Ha, ha! my husband possesses more
spirit than a dozen of you."

She folded her arms, and rocked her body to and fro, shaking her head,
and muttering incoherent sentences, with her eyes fixed upon the ground
intently, as though trying, amid the dirt, to discover the blood of her
destroyer.

Poor Fred, who looked about as much like Black Darnley as the man in the
moon, turned slightly red with mortification; and to this hour, an
allusion to his wonderful likeness to the celebrated bushranger is sure
to bring on a fit of the sulks that will last a day or two.

Fred retired as soon as he found that his presence irritated the unhappy
woman, who, it was very evident, was slightly deranged by her
accumulation of trouble.

"We are all friends here," I said, at length, "and are willing to do
your bidding. See, here is your father; and do you think he would stand
unmoved in the presence of a man who had wronged you. You must surely
recollect my face. Look at me closely."

"Ah, I do remember you now," she cried.

"That's right," I said, encouragingly. "I thought you would know the man
you had leaned upon and talked with on the night--"

Before I had a chance to finish my remarks, with a wild, mad cry, she
sprang forward, and, with a movement like lightning, drew my bowie
knife, which was stuck in a belt around my waist, and had not Smith
intercepted the blow I should not now be writing sketches about my
adventures.

In spite of his interference, however, the knife, sharp as a razor and
ground to a point like a needle, fell upon my unprotected forehead and
opened a gash two inches long, almost penetrating the brain. The hot
blood blinded me for a moment as it gushed from the wound. I staggered
back from the unexpected attack, but before the mad woman had an
opportunity to repeat the blow, my faithful friend was by my side, and
had wrenched the steel from her hand.

"Ha, ha!" she shrieked; "blood!--blood!--his blood flows freely, and I
avenge my own wrongs. Look at him bleed!--'twas my hand that struck him,
and now he'll die like a dog. I triumph--I--I--"

She could say no more, but fell back in convulsions. Smith caught her in
his strong arms, and was about to bear her into the house, when he was
interrupted by what appeared like so many apparitions.

Mounted upon strong, well-trained horses, were a dozen of the mounted
police of Melbourne, who, during our interview with the convict's
daughter, had stolen upon us unperceived, and had formed a circle in
which we were the centre, to prevent an escape had we been so disposed.
So quiet had they ridden, that it seemed as though they had sprung from
the ground at the command of some genii of the lamp.

We did not form a very prepossessing group, and, at first, much less
suspicious people than police officers would have imagined that
something was wrong.

"Hello!" cried the man who appeared to command the squad, riding towards
us; "what have we here--a wounded man and a dead woman. Whose work is
this?"

"We can explain this to those having authority to ask," cried Fred,
carelessly throwing his rifle across his arm; yet it was done in such a
manner that the officer reined his horse back several paces, and
shouted,--

"Ready with your carbines, men!--we have fallen upon a gang of
bushrangers."

I heard the ominous click of the locks of the guns, and cleared the
blood from my eyes to get a view of our assailants.

"We are no bushrangers," shouted Smith, starting forward and fronting
the officer. "You should know my face, lieutenant," he continued, to the
man in command.

"Ah, Smith, is it you?" the lieutenant said, in a sort of patronizing
way, and riding forward. "Put up your guns, men; we are not among
bushrangers, I think." And in obedience to his command, the men slung
the carbines at their backs, and rode forward.

"What is the matter with that fellow?" the officer of police asked,
pointing to me.

"He was just injured by a knife, sir, in the hands of this woman, who
has lost her reason," answered Smith, in the most obsequious manner.

"Lost her reason, hey," said the lieutenant, carelessly. "Then she has
no business here; or rather I should say that no persons of sense would
be here if they could help it."

The mounted troop laughed, as in duty bound, and even Smith suffered his
features to relax in token of appreciation of the officer's
facetiousness.

"Where are you two fellows from?" inquired the lieutenant, turning
towards Fred and myself abruptly.

By this time I had bound up my head with a handkerchief, and wiped some
of the blood from my face. The wound had nearly ceased bleeding, thanks
to some lint which I always carried about me.

"Are you talking to me?" asked Fred, in a careless tone.

"To whom else?--speak!" cried the officer, impatiently.

"Perhaps you would not know where the place is located, even if I told
you its name," replied Fred, with provoking indifference.

"I am the best judge of that," answered the lieutenant, turning red in
the face.

"O, you are?" Fred laughed.

Smith, who had acted in a nervous manner ever since the conversation
commenced, approached and whispered in Fred's ear,--

"Speak civilly to him, or he may take you to Melbourne."

This, instead of having the desired effect on Fred, only rendered him
the more impudent; for he didn't relish being called "fellow," even if
he had on a flannel shirt.

"Will you tell me where you belong?" demanded the officer, angrily.

"O, certainly."

"Well, where?"

"Have you ever heard of such a place as Boston?" Fred asked.

"Yes--it is in England."

"Not the Boston that I mean," Fred exclaimed, drawing up his form to its
full height. "I mean Boston near Bunker Hill."

A sudden change came over the lieutenant's face. The dark frown passed
away, and a smile crossed his sunburnt countenance.

"You are Americans?" he asked, with an air of politeness.

"We claim that land as our home," Fred answered.

"I might have guessed as much, for you both carry an emblem of your
country."

He pointed to our rifles and smiled. We saw that he was disposed to be
rational, and therefore laid aside our reserve.

"There are but few of our people," I said, "but know how to handle these
weapons; and it's rare that they venture into an unknown country without
one for a companion."

"I think so; for I have met a number of Americans in Australia, and yet
every one clings to his rifle. But, while we are talking, the woman is
suffering. Maurice, assist to take her into the hut, and open a vein if
you think it necessary."

The man addressed as Maurice gave his bridle to a companion and
dismounted. The convict and the stranger raised her in their arms, and
removed the unfortunate beneath the rude roof, where at least she could
be screened from the sun.

"Well, Smith, what is there new in these parts?" inquired the
lieutenant, carelessly. "Seen any thing of Black Darnley and his gang,
lately? I understand that you have been seen conversing with him a
number of times recently. Take care--I give you fair warning; if I
report you, your ticket of leave is withdrawn."

"But you wouldn't do that?" cried Smith, his face showing the alarm
which he felt at the threat.

"I don't know but that it will be my duty to do so before long," cried
the officer, shaking his head like a petty tyrant, who wished to inspire
fear.

"I have been two days on the road," he continued, "searching for his
gang. If you can give me any information, Smith, that is of real value,
why, perhaps--"

"But I can give information," cried Smith, who, awed by the great man's
presence, appeared to have forgotten all about the death of Darnley.

"Ah! of the scamp's gang?" the officer asked, with eagerness.

"Where are they?" demanded the lieutenant, leading Smith one side.

"Six of them are dead--and with them, Black Darnley," cried Smith.

"You are trifling with me," said the officer, sternly.

"No--upon my word; but ask the Americans, they will tell you all."

"Is it so?" asked the policeman, turning towards us with an air entirely
changed from that with which he had first addressed us.

We confirmed the report, and gave the particulars.

He listened to us with astonishment; and yet his wonder was not unmixed
with admiration. I saw him try to suppress that feeling, but it would
find vent, John Bull like, and with an oath he exclaimed,--

"By G----! you Americans are a wonderful people. You seek adventures
with as much gusto as a knight-errant of the olden times. If I had a
dozen such as you two under my charge, I'd soon free this neighborhood
of bushrangers."

"There would be but one difficulty," answered Fred, with a laugh.

"And pray what is that?" asked the lieutenant.

"Why, Yankees have a great desire to lead, instead of being led."

He drew us one side, so that his men could not overhear his remarks, and
said,--

"Of course you knew that a large reward was offered for the death of
Darnley and his gang."

We reiterated our ignorance, and the officer looked at us in
astonishment.

"Then let me give you joy--for you have completed one of the best day's
work that you ever began. Give me the proof that Darnley and his gang
are dead, and I will put you in the way of obtaining the reward."

"We did not sell our rifles for gold," replied Fred, "but to assist an
old man to revenge his daughter's injuries. If you can serve Smith and
the old convict, we will willingly forego all thoughts of a reward."

In a few words we stated the case, and put him in possession of the
facts relative to our taking up arms. He listened to us patiently, and
when we had finished, said,--

"If you can give convincing proof that the gang of bushrangers has been
broken up, I can certainly promise you a free, unconditional pardon for
Smith and the stockman. But I must first see the bodies of the dead men,
and have your certificate of the gallantry of the parties named."

"How can we manage that?" we asked.

"By delaying your journey, and accompanying me to the spot."

Fred and myself consulted for a moment and agreed to do so. A day or a
week was nothing to us, if Smith could be made a free man. We called to
him:--

"Smith," said Fred, "do you wish a pardon from government?"

The poor fellow flushed red in the face, and then the blood receded and
left his cheeks pallid as death.

"If you wish a free and unconditional pardon, you must go with us back
to the haunts of Darnley," Fred said.

The tears started to his eyes with delight, and for a moment he was
incapable of motion; but in another second he bounded to the side of the
cattle, and with nervous fingers was unhitching the yokes and turning
the brutes loose upon the wide prairies, to feed upon the rank grasses
which abounded on the sides of the stream.




CHAPTER X.

DESPERATE DEEDS OF TWO CONVICTS.--LIEUT. MURDEN'S STORY.


The sun was pouring down with Australian brilliancy and power, but we
cared but little for the heat, if we could gain the scene of the battle
before a gang of bushrangers reached the spot, and concealed the bodies.
It was, therefore, with considerable uneasiness that we saw the
lieutenant of police coolly dismount from his horse, throw the bridle to
one of his men, with directions to remove the saddles from the animals,
and let them drink their fill at the stream, and afterwards be allowed
to graze on the rank grass.

"How is this?" I asked; "are we not to start immediately? Delays are
dangerous."

"Patience, my friends," returned the officer, leading the way towards
the stockman's hut. "I value your lives too much to think of asking you
to undertake a jaunt of twelve or thirteen miles at noonday, when the
sun is hottest."

"But we are capable of the task," replied Fred, energetically.

"I have no doubt of it, gentlemen; but if you can endure heat and
privation, my men and horses cannot. Why, before we could gain the edge
of yonder wood, half of the men would be sun-struck, and two-thirds of
the animals would expire for the want of water. No, no, trust to me, and
let us take the cool of the evening."

"But we shall reach the woods too late to make an investigation," I
said.

"It is very probable," answered the officer, entering the hut, where the
convict's daughter was lying on a rude bedstead, made of the skin of an
ox.

"But have you no fear of an ambuscade?" exclaimed Fred, who began to
entertain an opinion that the lieutenant was not well posted on the
subject of bush-fighting.

"Not in the least," replied the Englishman, removing his coat and heavy
sword belt, and stretching himself on a box.

"O, then you will keep skirmishers in advance of the main body, I
suppose?" Fred said.

"No," answered the officer, lighting his pipe: and then, observing an
expression of surprise on our faces, he continued,--

"Do you take me for such a greenhorn as to suppose that I would enter a
wood after dark? No, sir; I've studied the habits and cunning of
bushrangers for many years, and seen much service during that time. I
shall start near dark, halt half a mile from the edge of the forest, and
remain there until daylight. Does that suit your ideas of our peculiar
kind of warfare?"

We could offer no objections to the plan proposed; and as we were to
spend the day in idleness, looked around the hut for something to make a
breakfast on. The policeman guessed our thoughts, for he called one of
his men, and gave him an order.

"Get coffee and breakfast ready, Maurice," he said, "and when ready,
serve it here."

The man bowed, saluted his superior, and retired with military
precision.

"An old soldier," said the lieutenant, carelessly; "he has served
through half a dozen campaigns in India."

"And did he never rise above the ranks?" I asked.

"Never obtained a position higher than that of corporal; but that is not
extraordinary in the English army. Promotion with us goes with birth and
influence, not merit and brave deeds. Maurice has distinguished himself
in many a hotly-contested field; yet now, in his old age, he draws a
trifling pension, and is glad to be enrolled in the police force of
Melbourne, where better pay and quick promotion awaits him."

"As you have been in the country for many years, suppose that you give
us a short account of your experience," cried Fred.

"Willingly; but wait until after breakfast. That woman is getting
better--hear her breath, regular and natural. Let her father come in to
tend her, if he wishes."

The latter remark was made to one of his privates, who stood at the
door, and had prevented the entrance of the aged convict. The father
entered with a humble air, and seated himself near his daughter's side.

He appeared too grateful for the privilege of thus remaining in the
presence of his superior to pay any attention to his conversation; and
when breakfast had been disposed of, and our pipes were lighted, each of
us chose a comfortable place to rest at full length on the floor of the
hut, and discuss matters and things in Australia. I found the lieutenant
a rare companion, and a man that had seen much service in the country.

"We have a number of hours to spare before we undertake our expedition,"
said Fred, during a pause in the conversation; "suppose you favor us
with a short history of some of your adventures in this country. You
have seen many years' service as a police agent, and tales of no
ordinary kind must be familiar to you."

"If I should tell you of the murders which the bushrangers sometimes
commit, when they have a thirst for blood, you would think I was
romancing," answered the officer.

We both protested against such an idea, and Lieutenant Murden--that was
his name, and I am glad to see that, since I left Melbourne, he has been
promoted to a captaincy--knocked the ashes from his pipe, carefully
reloaded it, told the sentinel at the door to keep his eyes open, and
not let a gang of robbers approach the hut unperceived, wet his lips
with the contents of a flask, which he carried about his person, lighted
his pipe with a match, and then began.

       *       *       *       *       *

LIEUTENANT MURDEN'S STORY.

"Not long since, the whole police force of the country was thrown into a
state of great excitement and vigilance, owing to the desperate deeds of
two convicts, who seized a schooner on the coast, compelled the crew, on
the pain of instant death, to navigate her to a distant part of the
island, and by keeping their guns pointed at the heads of the
frightened men, and relieving each other at the task, were enabled to
accomplish their ends.

"The convicts were landed, and to repay the sailors for their kindness
and forbearance, they shot the two men that rowed them ashore; and, from
the time that they set foot on land, until the day of their death, their
course was marked with blood.

"They took the life of every human being that stood in their way. The
most unreasonable request, if there was a moment's hesitation, was
rewarded with a bullet; and it seemed as though demons, not men, were
thirsting for the blood which was shed so profusely.

"The news of the murderers' doings was brought post haste to Melbourne,
and I and my troop were ordered to start immediately for the bush, and
secure them, dead or alive. Extraordinary powers were granted me by the
government. I could take horses or cattle, or even press men into my
service, if I thought desirable, for the purpose of capturing the
bushrangers. Hardly a moment of preparation was allowed me, beyond the
choice of twelve men, whom I knew I could rely upon; and even while I
was conversing with the superintendent, another messenger arrived with
the news of fresh butcheries, more bloody and brutal than the last.

"At eight on the evening of the day that I was ordered to take my
departure, my troop was leaving Melbourne on the road leading towards
Ballarat, in which direction I learned the convicts were travelling.

"At two o'clock we halted at a cattle station; and while some of our men
changed saddles from our tired horses to fresh ones, the remainder
cooked a kettle of coffee, and broiled a piece of beef, to stay our
stomachs during our long ride. From the stockman we obtained some
information, as the bushrangers had visited his cattle station two days
before, selected what animals they wished, and then shot the companion
of the man we were conversing with.

"At seven o'clock we again halted at a cattle station, but for ten
minutes we could not find a soul to answer our questions. We searched
the hut and an adjoining piece of woods, in hope of finding somebody who
would give us a little information. As time was precious, however, I was
on the point of borrowing what animals I wanted, when two of my men
brought in a native, half dead with fear. He had been found secreted
under some brush in the woods, and all our persuasions could hardly
convince him that his life was not in danger.

"After an immense amount of questioning, I learned that the two
murderers had visited the cattle station the day before, had shot the
keeper, and would have killed the native had he not fled to the woods
for protection. After the deed, they ransacked the hut thoroughly,
possessed themselves of a quantity of rum which they found, renewed
their supply of ammunition, mounted fresh horses, and were off in the
direction of Ballarat at full gallop, according to the account of the
native.

"It only remained for us to follow as fast as possible. In twelve hours
we had travelled a distance of one hundred miles; and although we felt
the want of rest, yet I knew that time was too precious to waste in
sleep. A hasty breakfast, and we were off; but before we had rode twelve
miles our attention was attracted near the roadside by seeing a flock of
birds hovering in the air and uttering shrill cries. I endeavored to
get my horse to approach the place, but with starting eyes and every
indication of terror, he refused to move.

"I dismounted, and entered the hushes, and found my suspicions
confirmed. Two men were lying dead on the ground, both with bullet holes
through their heads. I made a short examination, and satisfied myself
that the murders were committed the day before, and that the bodies were
dragged amongst the bushes, after being robbed of every thing valuable
about their persons.

"Time was too precious to give Christian burial to the dead men, even if
we had had the proper tools to open the earth. With a sigh, we left the
birds their prey, and once more continued our journey through the
wildest part of the sterile country between Melbourne and Ballarat.

"On, on, we went, urging our panting, tired beasts without mercy; and
just as we thought we should have to halt, to allow the animals a
resting spell, we reached the large cattle station of Witon Martells.
Here we found every thing in confusion; and although usually half a
dozen men were employed at the station, only two came out to greet us,
and they wore frightened visages.

"We soon heard their story. The murderers had rode up to the hut about
six o'clock the evening before, and wished to exchange horses. The
stockmen refused; and hardly were the words from their mouths before one
of the convicts drew a revolver, and fired upon those standing in front
of him; and while he was thus amusing himself, his companion sat on his
horse, and laughed to see those not instantly killed endeavor to get
away! Three men fell under the fire, and hardly knew what caused their
death, it was so sudden. One man, mortally wounded, was just dying as we
rode up; and the two that came to greet us had saved their lives by
taking to their heels, and entering the bush.

"They had watched the convicts pick from the herd of horses the most
able and strongest nags, and then, after eating what they could find
ready cooked in the hut, started for Ballarat, where, no doubt, amongst
the crowd of miners, they thought they would escape detection.

"Throughout the long night we spurred onward, and when daylight
appeared, tired and sore with our journey, we stopped at another station
to change horses. The murderers had left their mark at that place also,
and in front of the door was the stockman shot through the heart, and
stone dead.

"The men selected a number of animals, and after our never-failing
stimulant, a cup of coffee, and a piece of broiled meat, we were in the
saddle again, and galloping towards the next station, where I knew it
would be impossible for the convicts to obtain fresh horses, as sheep
only were kept there.

"At twelve o'clock we reached the station, and drew up at the door.
There was no sign of life about the premises, and with sad misgivings, I
dismounted, and entered the hut; but I started back in horror, for on
the floor were a dozen men, motionless and lifeless, as I at first
thought; but a closer examination convinced me that they were bound hand
and foot, and their mouths gagged.

"It may seem to you incredible, but it is nevertheless true, and only
proves what resolute men can accomplish when opposed to weakness.
Twelve men were surprised and bound, and made to lie flat on their backs
at the word of command, and so well did they obey the instructions of
the murderers, that the latter, very probably, were too much pleased
with their compliance to waste powder on them.

"I did not upbraid them with their cowardice, for I know what human
nature is, and perhaps, had I been of the party, I might have submitted
to the same degradation.

"There was one thing that I learned from the released prisoners that
pleased me. The convicts had left their horses at the station, and
expressed a determination to return in a few hours' time for them. Where
the villains had gone they did not know, or in what direction they
departed. A native, however, who was employed at the station, searched
for their footsteps, and was not long in finding them.

"The trail led to the woods, and the men stationed at the hut expressed
an opinion that the convicts were in search of a gang of bushrangers,
that had been secreted in the vicinity for many months, but had recently
disbanded, and gone to the mines.

"I expected that the murderers would return to the hut for their horses,
when they found that the men they wished to join

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