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The Gold Hunter's Adventures by William H. Thomes

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"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.

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