 Section 10 of a Ladies' Visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia. In my last chapter we were left standing not far from the commissioner's tent, Forest Creek, at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday the 16th. An air of quiet prevailed and made the scene unlike any other we had as yet viewed at the Diggings. It was the middle of the month, here and there a stray applicant for a licence might make his appearance, but the body of the Diggers had done so long before and were disseminated over the creek digging, washing or cradling, as the case might be. But here at least was quiet. To the right of the licensing commissioner's tent was the large one appropriated to receiving the gold to be forwarded to Melbourne by the government escort. There were a number of police and pensioners about. Not many months ago the scarcity of these at the Diggings had prevented the better class of Diggers from carrying on their operations with any degree of comfort or feeling that their lives and property were secure. But this was now altered. Large bodies of police were placed on duty and wooden buildings erected in various parts of the Diggings for their accommodation. Assistant commissioners who were also magistrates had been appointed and large bodies of pensioners enrolled as police and acting under their orders. Roads were also being made in all directions, thereby greatly facilitating intercommunication. But I must not forget that we are standing looking about us without exactly knowing where to turn. Suddenly William started off like a shot in pursuit of a man a little way from us. We could not at first guess who it was. For in the Diggers dress all men look like so many brothers. But as we approached nearer we recognised our late Captain Gregory. Well old fellow, and where did you spring from? Was Frank's soutation. I thought you were stuck fast in the Eagle Hawk. I may say the same, said Gregory smiling. How got you here? This was soon told and our present dilemma was not left unmentioned. A friend in need is a friend indeed, says the proverb, and William echoed it, as Gregory very complacently informed us that having just entered upon a store not far distant, he would be delighted to give us a shelter for a few nights. This we gladly accepted and were soon comfortably domiciled beneath a bark and canvas tent adjoining his store. Here we sucked, after which Gregory left us, and returned with mattresses, blankets, etc., which he placed on the ground, whilst he coolly ordered the gentlemen to prepare to take their departure, he himself presently setting them the example. I'm certain sure the young ladies tired, said he, and that little lassie there, pointing to Jesse, looks as pale and as wise and as an old woman of seventy, the sooner they get to sleep the better. We followed the kindly hint, and Jesse and myself were soon fast asleep in spite of the din close beside us. It was Saturday night, and the store was full, but the babble-like sounds disturbed us not, and we neither of us woke till morning. It was Sunday, the day was fine, and we strolled here and there, wandering a good way from Gregory's store. As we returned, we passed near the scene of the monster meeting of 1851. The following account of it is so correct that I cannot do better than transcribe it. The exceeding richness of the Mount Alexander diggings and extraordinary success of many of the miners led the government to issue a proclamation, raising the licence from thirty shillings to three pounds. As soon as these intentions became known, a public meeting of all the miners were convened, and took place on the fifteenth of December, 1851. This resolve of the Governor and Executive Council was injudicious, since in New South Wales the government proposed to reduce the fee to fifteen shillings, and among the miners in Victoria dissatisfaction was right on account of the apparent disregard by the government of the wants and wishes of the people engaged in the gold diggings, and because of the absence. of all pleased protection, while there appeared to be no effort made to remedy this defect. Indignation was, therefore, unequivocally expressed at the several diggings meetings, which were hailed, and at which it was resolved to hold a monster meeting. The old shepherd's hut, an outstation of Dr Barker's, and very near the commissioner's tent, was the scene chosen for this display. For miles around work ceased, cradles were hushed, and the diggers anxious to show their determination, assembled in crowds, swarming from every creek, gully, hill, and dale. Even from the distant Bendigo, twenty miles away, they felt that if they'd tamely allowed the government to charge three pounds one month, the licensing fee might be increased to six pounds the next, and by such a system of oppression, the digger's vocation would be suspended. It had been computed that from fifteen to twenty thousand persons were on the ground during the time of the meeting. Hundreds who came and heard gave place to the coming multitude, satisfied with having attended to countenance the proceedings. The meeting ultimately dispersed quietly, thereby disappointing the anticipations of those who expected, perhaps even desired, a turbulent termination. The majority determined to resist any attempt to enforce this measure, and to pay nothing, but happily they were not reduced to this extremity, since his Excellency wisely gave notice that no change would be made in the amount demanded for license. The trees up which the diggers had climbed during the meeting are still pointed out. The old shepherd's hut was standing. It seemed a most commodious little building compared to the insecure shelter of a digger's tent. The sides of the hut were formed of slabs, which were made mostly from the stringy bark, a tree that splits easily. The roof was composed of the bark from the same tree. The chimney was of stones, mortared together with mud. This is the general style of building for shepherd's huts in the bush. As we passed it, I could not but mentally contrast the scene that took place there on the important day of the monster meeting to the deep tranquility that must have rained around the spot for centuries before the discovery of gold grew multitudes to the place. The trees in this neighbourhood are mostly stringy bark. Almost all are peeled of their covering. As many diggers, particularly those who have their families with them, keep much to one part, and think it, therefore, no waste of time or labour to erect a hut, instead of living in a comfortless tent. On Monday morning, we determined to pursue our travels and made that day to pay a flying visit to Friars Creek. It was a lovely morning, and we set out in high spirits. A heavy rain during the night had well laid the dust. On our way, we took a peek at several flats and gullies, many of which look very picturesque, particularly one called specimen gully, which was but thinly inhabited. We had hardly reached Friars Creek itself, when we saw a vast concourse of people gathered together. Frank and my brother remained with me at a little distance, whilst Octavius and William went to learn the occasion of this commotion. It arose from an awful accident, which had just occurred. Three brothers were working in a claim beside the stream, some way apart from the other diggers. The heavy rain during the night had raised the water, and the ground between the hole where they were working and the creek had given way imperceptibly underneath. One brother, who was early in the hole at work, fancied that the water at the bottom was gradually rising above his knees. He shouted to his comrades, but unfortunately they had gone, one one way, one another, in quest of something, and it was some minutes early they returned. Meanwhile, the water in the hole was slowly but surely rising, and the slippery sides, which were several feet high, defied him to extricate himself. His cries for help became louder, he was heard, and his brothers and some neighbours hastened to his assistance. Ropes were procured after some further delay, and thrown to the unhappy man, but it was too late. None dared approach very near, for the ground was like a bog, and might at any moment give way beneath their feet. The water was nearly level with the top of the hole, and all hope of saving him was gone. The brothers had often been warned of the danger they were running. Shuddering at the thoughts of this awful death, we turned away, but no change of scene could dissipate it from our minds. The remembrance of it haunted me for many a night. Jesse seemed pleased to see us on our return. We had left her behind with regret to his great delight. We abstained from mentioning before her the fearful accident we had but witnessed. That evening we wandered about Forrest Creek. We had not gone far before a digger with a pistol in his hand shot by us. He was followed by an immense mob, hooting, yelling and screaming, as only a mob at the digging's can. It was in full pursuit, and we turned aside only in time to prevent ourselves from being knocked down in the confusion. Stop him, stop him, was the cry. He was captured, and the cry changed too. String him up, string him up. It's useless taking him to the police office. What has he done? Asked my brother of a quiet bystander. Shot a man in a quarrel at a grog shop. String him up, string him up. Confront him with the body, though separated the mob. At this moment the firmly secured and well guarded culprit passed by, to be confronted with the dead body of his adversary. No sooner did he come into his presence than the seed deviant corpse found his feet. Showed fight, and wrought out, come on, with the most un-ghost-like vehemence. The fury of the mob cooled down. The people thought the man had been murdered, whereas the shot, fortunately for both, had glanced over the forehead without doing any serious injury. Taking advantage of this lull, the fugitive declared that the wounded man had been robbing him. This turned the tables, and inspired by the hootings of the now-indignant mob, the dead man took to his heels and disappeared. The diggers in Pennywhite Flat, Nicholson's Gully, Leaver Flat, Dirty Dick's Gully, Gibson's Flat, at the mouth of Dingley-Dale, and in Dingley-Dale itself, were tolerably contented with their gains. Although, in many instances, the parties who were digging in the centre of the gullies, or what is called the slip, experienced considerable trouble in bailing the water out of their holes. Some of the names given to the spots about Forest Creek are anything but euphonious. Dingley-Dale is, however, an exception, and sounds quite musical compared to Dirty Dick's Gully. The former name was given to the place by a gentleman from Adelaide, and was suggested by the perpetual tinkling of the bullock's bells, at being a favourite camping place for bullock drivers, offering, as it did, an excellent supply of both wood, water, and food for their cattle. From whom the latter, in elegant name, originated, I cannot precisely tell, but there are plenty of dirty dicks all over the diggings. The current prices of this date at Forest Creek were as follows. Flour, nine to ten pounds per hundred weight. Sugar, one shilling sixpence a pound. Very scarce. Tea, three shillings. Rice, one shilling. Coffee, three shillings. Tobacco, eight shillings. Cheese, three shillings. Butter, four shillings. Honey, three shillings sixpence. Candles, one shilling sixpence. Currants, one shilling sixpence. Very scarce. Raisins, one shilling sixpence. Figs, two shilling sixpence. Salt, one shilling sixpence. Picks, spades, and tin dishes, ten shillings each. Gold, sixty-four shillings per ounce. Tuesday, nineteen. Before breakfast, we were busily employed in packing the swags, when Octavius suddenly dropped the strap he held in his hand for that purpose, and darted into the store. Thinking that we had omitted something, which he went to fetch, we continued our work. When everything was ready and the last strap in its place, we again thought of our apps and comrade, making all sorts of surmises regarding his disappearance, when, just as Frank was going after him, in he walked, accompanied by a stranger whom he introduced as his uncle. He surprised us, as we were ignorant of his having any relatives in the colonies. He then explained that a younger brother of his father's had, about eight years ago, gone to South Australia, and that never having heard of him for some years, they had mourned him as dead. After many adventures, he had taken a fancy to the diggings, and had just come from Melbourne, with a draid full of goods. He went to Gregory's store to dispose of them. Octavius had heard them in conversation together, and had mistaken his uncles for his father's voice. Hence, the precipitation of his exit. The uncle was a tall, sunburnt man, who looked well endued to hardship and fatigue. He stayed and took breakfast with us, and then having satisfactorily arranged his business with Gregory, and emptied his tray, he obligingly offered to convey Jesse and myself to Melbourne in it. Accordingly, after dinner, we all started together. Our new companion was a most agreeable person, and his knowledge of the colonies was extensive. With anecdotes of the bush, the mines, and the town, he made the journey pass most pleasantly. Before evening, we reached the golden point near Mount Alexander. This term of golden has been applied to a great many spots, where the deposits have been richer than usual. There was a golden point at Ballarat, and when the report of the Alexander diggings drew the people from there, they carried the name with them, and applied it to this portion of the mount. To the left of the point, which was still full of labourers, was the store of Mr Black, with the Union Jack flying above it. It is a most noted store, and at one time, when certain delicacies were not to be had in Melbourne, they were comparatively cheap here. We passed by this busy spot, and encamped at sunset, at the foot of Mount Alexander. It was a lovely evening, and our eyes were feasted by our most glorious sight. All the trees of the forest gradually faded away in the darkness, that beyond them, and through them, were glimpses of the granite-like walls of the mount, brilliantly shining in and reflecting the last glowing rose. Some of the gorgeous scenes of the fairyland seen before us, we could have imagined that we were approaching by night. Some illuminated some enchanted castle. That evening, we sat late round our fire, listening to the history which the uncle of Octavius related of some of his adventures in South Australia. The post he had filled formed a curious medley of occupations, and I almost forget the routine in which they followed one another, but I will endeavour to relate his story as much as possible in his own words. When I started from England after having paid passage money, etc., I found myself with about two hundred pounds ready money in my purse. It was all I had to expect, and I determined to be very careful of it. But by a young man of five and twenty, these resolutions, like ladies' promises, are made to be broken. When I landed in Adelaide, with my money in my pocket, minus a few pounds I had lost at Wist and Kribbage on board ship, I made my way to the best inn, where I stayed some days, and ran up rather a longish bill. Then I wanted to see the country, which I found impossible without a horse. So brought one, and rode about to the various stations, where I was generally hospitably received, and must passed a few months very pleasantly. Only my purse was running low. I sold the horse, then my watch, and spent the money. When that was gone, I thought of the letters of introduction I possessed. The first that came to hand was directed to a Wesleyan minister. I called there, looking as sanctimonious as I could. He heard my story, advised me to go to chapel regularly. And for your temporal wants, said he, the Lord will provide. I thanked him and bowed myself off. My first act was to burn my packet of introductory letters. My next was to engage myself to a stockholder at fifteen shillings a week, and my rations. He was going up to the station at once, and I accompanied him. We travelled for about two hundred miles through a most beautiful country, before we reached his home. His house was, in my ideas, a comical looking affair, made of split logs of wood, with a barked roof, and a barrel stuck on the top of the roof, at one end by way of a chimney pot. His wife, a pale, sickly little woman, seemed pleased to see us, for she had been much alarmed by the natives, who were rather numerous about the neighbourhood. There was only a young lad, and an old shepherd, and his wife upon the station, besides herself. Before I had been there six weeks, she died, and her new-born little baby died too. There was not a doctor for miles, and the shepherd's wife was worse than useless. I believe this often happens in the bush. It's not a place for women folks. I was here eighteen months. It was a wild sort of life, and just suited my fancy. But when I found I had some money to receive, I thought a spree in town would be a nice change. So off I marched. My spree lasted as long as my money, and then I went as barman to a public house at Clare, some way up the country, where I got better wages and better board, and stopped about half a year. Then I turned brewer's drayman, and delivered casks of good Australian ale, about Adelaide, for thirty shillings a week. The brewer failed, and I joined in a speculation, with a knuckle dealer, to cart a lot up to cap a pundicop of mines. That paid well. I stopped up there as overseer, over four and twenty full of drays. Well winter came, and I had little to do, though I drew my thirty shillings a week regularly enough, when the directors wanted a contract for putting the small copper dust into bags, and sewing them up. I offered to do the job at Tuppence a bag, and could get through a hundred and fifty a day. How much is that? Oh twelve shillings sixpence a piece. I forgot to tell you I had a mate at the work. That was good earnings in those days, and me and my mate, who was quite a lad, were making a pretty penny, when some others offered to do them a half penny a bag cheaper. I did the same, and we kept it to ourselves for about four weeks longer, when a penny a bag was offered. There was competition for you. This roused my bile. I threw it up all together, and off to Adelaide again. Soon spent all my cash, and went into a ship chandler's office till they failed. Then was clerked to a butcher, and lost my situation for throwing a quarter of his own mutton at him in a rage. And then I again turned brewer's man, whilst there I heard of the diggings, left the brewer and his casks to look after themselves, and off on foot to Ballarat. Here I found the holes averaging some thirty feet, which was a style of hard work I didn't quite admire. So hearing of the greater facility of the Alexander diggings, I went through Bully Brook Forest, and tried my luck in the Dinkrow Ranges. This paid well, and I bought a drain, and bring up goods to the stores, which I find easier work, and twice as profitable as digging. There's my story, and little I thought when I went into Gregory's store today, that I should find my curly-pattered nephew ready to hear it. Next day we travelled on, and halted, near Thor Pit Gully. It was early in the afternoon, and we took a walk about this most interesting locality. The earth was torn up everywhere. A few lucky hits had suffice to recollect a good many diggers there, and they were working vigorously. At dusk the labour ceased, the men returned to their tents, and for the last time our ears were assailed by the digger's usual serenade. Imagine some hundreds of revolvers almost instantaneously fired, the sound reverberating through the mighty forests, and echoed far and near, again and again, till the last faint echo died away in the distance. Then a hundred blazing fires burst upon the site, around them gathered the rough miners themselves, their sun-burnt hair-covered faces illumined by the ruddy glare. Wild songs and still wilder bursts of laughter are heard. Gradually the flames sink and disappear, and an oppressive stillness follows. Sleep rarely refuses to visit the digger's lonely couch, broken only by some midnight carousel, as he vainly endeavours to find his tent. No fear of the peeler taking him off to a police station, or of being brought before a magistrate next morning, and find five shillings for being drunk. Early on Tuesday morning I gave a parting look to the diggings. Our dray went slowly onwards, a slight turn in the road, and the last tent has vanished from my sight. Never thought I shall I look on such a scene again. Before the evening of Wednesday the 20th we passed through Kyneton and found ourselves in the little village of Karlsruhe, where we passed the night. Here is a police station, a blacksmith, a few stores and some cottages, in one of which we obtained a comfortable supper and beds. A lovely view greeted us at sunrise. Behind us were still towering the lofty ranges of Mount Alexander, before us was Mount Macedon and the Black Forest. This mountain, which forms one of one's called the Macedon Range, is to be seen many miles distant, and on a clear, sunny day the purple sides of Mount Macedon, which stands aloof as it is from the range itself, are distinctly visible from the flagstaff at Melbourne. We had intended to have stopped for the night in Kyneton, but the charges there were so enormous that we preferred pushing on and taking our chances to the accommodation Karlsruhe would afford, nor did we repent so doing. The following are Kyneton prices, a meal or bed, both bad, four shillings, a night's stabling, one pound ten shillings per horse, hay at the rate of nine pence a pound. This is the most exorbitant charge of all. Hay was somewhere about twenty pounds a ton in Melbourne. The carriage of it to Kyneton, now that the fine weather was sitting in, would not exceed eight pounds a ton at the outside, which would come to twenty-eight pounds. The purchaser, by selling it at Kyneton at the rate of nine pence a pound, or seventy-five pounds per ton, cleared a profit of forty-seven pounds. Not quite two hundred percent. If this is not fortune-making, I should like to know what is. It beats the digging's hollow. Next morning we looked our last at Sweet Karlsruhe, and having crossed the five mile creek camped for our midday meal beside the Black Forest. Here a slight discussion arose as to whether it would be more advisable to proceed on our journey and camp in the Black Forest that night, or whether we should remain where we were outside and recommence our journey in good time the next morning, so as to get through this most uncomfortable portion of our travels in one day. Frank and Octavius were for the latter plan as the best and the safest, but the rest, thinking that having once travelled through it without encountering anything resembling a bush ranger, they might safely do so again, protested against wasting time, and were for entering those dark shades without further delay. The uncle of Octavius, whom in future for the sake of convenience, I shall call Mr. L, was also of this mind, and as he was in some sort our leader during the journey, his advice decided the matter. Danger to him was only a necessary excitement. He was naturally fearless, and his merry laugh and gay joke at the expense of the bush ranger fearing party gradually dissipated the unaccountable presentiment of danger which I for one had in no small degree experienced. On we went up hill and down dale, sometimes coming to a more open piece of ground, but more generally threading away amid a very maze of trees, with trunks all black as the ground itself, while the dingy foliage and the few rays of sunshine that lit up those dark deep glades served only to heighten the gloominess around. After walking for about six miles, I preferred that mode of getting along to the joltings of the dray, we all felt disposed to rest ourself. We selected a spot where the trees were less thickly clustered, and taking the horses out of the dray, tethered them by strong ropes through some trees near. The dray itself was turned up, and a blanket thrown over the uproar shafts formed a most complete and cozy little tent. A fire was next kindled, and a kettle full of water with the tea in it was placed on to boil. Some homemade bread bought from Karlsruhe was placed upon the ground, and some chops were toasted on the ends of sticks, which are usually the impromptu toasting forks of the bush. The old tin plates and panicons, not quite so bright as once upon a time, but showing, despite sundry bruises and scratches that they had seen better days, were placed upon the tea table, which of course was the ground. Two or three knives and forks were on general service, and wondered about from hand to hand as the occasion required. All together it was a merry sociable party, and I think I enjoyed that supper better than any I have tasted before or since. Shaka and Asongu, many a one will say. The pleasantest moments must come to an end, and so did these. After having sat up later than usual, Jesse and I retired to our gypsy tent, leaving our guardian diggers smoking round the fire. They meant to keep watches during the night to prevent the surprise. Friday. We were comfortably seated at our breakfast, discussing a hundred subjects beside the food before us, when a shell, Go-wee! burst through the air. Go-wee! Go-wee! Again and again, till the very trees seemed to echo back the sound. We started to our feet, and as if wondering what would come next, looked blankly at each other, and again the Go-wee! more energetic still rang in our ears. This is the call of the bush. It requires some little skill and practice, and when given will can be heard a great way off. And such a place as the Black Forest that could only proceed from someone who had lost their way, ought to be a signal of a distress from some party in absolute danger. We again looked from one to another at bewilderment, and again the cry, only more plaintive than before, came to us. Simultaneously they seized their pistols and started in the direction whence the sounds proceeded. They were all too true Englishmen to hear a fellow creature in peril and not haste to their sucker. Jesse and I could not remain behind alone. It was impossible. We followed at a little distance, just keeping our comrades in sight. At last they came to a halt, not knowing where to turn, and we joined them. Frank Go-wee! And in about the space of a minute the words, Help! Help! Come! Come! In scarcely audible sounds answered to the call. We penetrated about thirty yards further, and a few low groans directed us to a spot more obscure if possible than the rest. They are firmly bound to two trees close together, with two men. A thick cord was passed round and round their bodies, arms and legs, so as to leave no limb at liberty. They seemed faint and exhausted, having so long called for help. It was the work of a moment for our party to fling down their pistols, take out knives and tomahawks, and commence the work of releasing them from their bonds. But the cords were knotted and thick, and there seemed no little labour in accomplishing it. They were also retarded by the small quantity of light, for, as I said before, it was a dark and secluded spot. At length one man was released, and so faint and exhausted was he from the effects of whatever ill usage he had suffered. That being a tall, powerful-made man, it required the united strength of both Frank and Mr. L to prevent him falling to the ground. Jesse and myself were standing a little apart in the shade. We seemed as if spellbound by the incident, and incapable of rendering any assistance. The second was soon set at liberty, and no sooner did he feel his hands and feet freed from the cords, that he gave a loud shrill, kooee! A shriek burst from Jesse's lips as immediately the cry was uttered, and before anyone could recover from the bewilderment and occasioned, four well-armed men sprung upon our startled party. Taken thus at a disadvantage, unarmed, their very knives flung down in their eagerness to untwist the cords, they were soon overpowered. The wretch who had been reclining in Frank's arms quickly found his feet, and there Frank could recover from his surprise, one heavy blow flung him to the ground, while the other twined his powerful arms around Mr. L, and after a short but sharp struggle in which he was assisted by a fellow villain, succeeded in mastering him. It was a fearful sight, and I can hardly describe my feelings as I witnessed it. My brain seemed on fire, the trees appeared to reel around me, when a cold touch acted as a sudden restorative, and almost forced to scream from my lips. It was Jesse's hand, cold as marble, touching mine. We spoke together in a low whisper, and both seemed inspired by the same thoughts, the same hope. I saw a little hill as we came here, said Jesse. Let's try and find it and look out for help. I instinctively followed her, and steadily creeping along, we gained a small rise of ground which commanded a more extended view than most places in the Black Forest, and but for the thickness of the trees we could have seen our own camping-place, and the part where the hamperscade had been laid. From sounds of voices, we could tell that the Ruffians were leading their prisoners to the spot where we had passed the night, and the most fearful oaks and implications could ever and unknown be heard. Well might our hearts beat with apprehension, for it was known that when disappointed in obtaining the gold they expected, they vented their rage in torturing their unfortunate victims. Meanwhile, Jesse seemed listening intently. The time she had spent in the bush and at the diggings had wonderfully refined her sense of hearing. Suddenly she gave a shrill, the moment after a shot was fired in the direction of our late camp. Jesse turned even paler, but recovering herself, koo-ee after koo-ee made the echos ring. I joined my feeble efforts to hers, but she was evidently well used to this peculiar call. On a fine still day this cry will reach for a full three miles, and we counted upon this fact for obtaining some assistance. Help is coming, said Jesse in a low voice, and once more with increasing strength she gave the call. Footsteps approached nearer and nearer. I looked up almost expecting to see those villainous countenances again. Women in danger called a manly voice, and several stalwart figures bounded to our side. Follow, follow cried Jesse rushing forward. I scarcely remember everything that occurred for I was dizzy with excess of pleasure. There was a short scuffle, shots were fired at retreating bush rangers, and we saw our friends safe and free. The whole matter was then related to our preservers, for such they were, and I then learnt that when the bush rangers had marched off our party to the camping place, they proceeded to overhaul their pockets, and then bound them securely to some trees whilst one stood ready with a pistol to shoot the first that should call for help, and the others looked over the plunder. This was little enough, for our travelling money, which was notes, was kept strange treasury in the lining of the body of my dress, and here too were the gold receipts from the escort office. Every night I took out about sufficient to defray the day's expenses, and this was generally given into Frank's hands. Enraged and disappointed, the villains used most frightful language accompanied by frets of violence, and the one on guard, irritated beyond his powers of endurance, fired the pistol in the direction of William's head. At this moment Jesse's first coup was heard. This startled him, and the shot from the aim the pistol being defrayed left him unheard. It's that dashed child muttered one with a few additional oaths. We'll ring her neck when we've secured the plunder. One of the Ruffians now attempted more persuasive measures, and addressing Mr. L, who I suppose he considered the leader, expended his powers of persuasion much in the following manner. You see, mate, we risked our lives to get you gold, and have it we will. Some you've got somewhere or other, for you haven't none on you got no paper from the escort. You planted it last night, eh? Just show us where, and you can't be touched at all, nor that little retch yonder what keeps screeching so. But if you don't, and hear his natural ferocity marches to him, and he wound up with a volley of curses in the midst of which our rescuers rushed upon them. When we came to talk the whole matter over, calmly and quietly, no doubt was left upon our minds as to the premeditation of the whole affair. But for the watch kept, the attack would most probably have been made during the night. Our timely friends were part of successful diggers returning from work. They too had passed the night in the Black Forest, providently not very far from us. They accepted our thanks in an offhand sort of way, only replying, which was certainly true, that we would have done the same for them. It was in endeavouring to assist assumed sufferers that our party fell into the ambuscade they'd for them. They waited while we got the drain horses ready, and we all journeyed on together till the Black Forest was far behind us. We saw no more of the bush rangers, and encamped that night a few miles beyond the bush inn. At this inn we parted with our gallant friends. They were of the jovial sort, and having plenty of gold were determined on a spree. We never met them again. On Saturday we travelled as far as the Deep Creek Inn. Some distance before reaching that place, we passed two rival coffee shops on the road. We stopped at the first to know if they had any uncooked or cold meat to sell, for our provisions were running low. Haven't none, said the woman shaking her head. Then looking hard at William, and judging from his good-numoured face, that he was a likely one to do what she wanted, she said to him, Now, sir, I'm going to ask a favour of you, and that is to go a little further down the road with your other coffee tent, and buy for me as much meat as they'll let you have. You've got plenty, and I've none, and they know I'll lose custom buy. So you'll not get it if they twigs, anglis guesses. You comes from me. You understand, sir, and she put a sovereign into his hand to pay for it. Laughing at the comicality of the request, and the thoroughly colonial coolness of making it, William sent off, and presently returned with nearly half a sheep hanging over his shoulders, and a large joint in one hand. Bless me, what luck exclaimed the delighted woman, and loud and profuse were her thanks. She wanted to cook us a good dinner off the meat gratis, but this we steadily refused, and purchasing enough for the present, we put our trays again into motion, and a little while after kindled a fire and were our own cooks as usual. That night we camped beside the Deep Creek, about a mile from the Deep Creek Inn. The route we were now taking was different to the one we had travelled going up. It was much more direct. We remained all Sunday beside the creek, and the day passed quietly and pleasantly. On Monday the 25th we were again in motion. We passed the well-known Inn of Tulip Rites, how great a change those few weeks had made. Winter had given place to summer, for Australia knows no spring. We walked along the beautiful road to Flemington, gave a look at the flagstaff and cemetery, turned into Great Brook Street, halted the post office, found several letters, and finally stopped opposite the Duke of York hotel where we dined. I shall leave myself most comfortably located here, while I devote a chapter or two to other diggings. End of section 11 Section 12 of a Ladies' Visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. A Ladies' Visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia by Alan Clancy Section 12, Ballarat Ballarat is situated about 45 miles from Geelong and 75 nearly west of Melbourne. This was the first discovered goldfield of any extent in Victoria and was made known on the 8th of September, 1851. The rush from Geelong was immense. Shops, stores, trades, all and everything was deserted and the press very truly declared that Geelong was mad stark, steering gold mad. During the month of September, 532 licenses were taken out. In the month following, the number increased to 2,261. The usual road to Ballarat is by the Adelaide Overland Route on the Gambia Road but the most preferable is per Geelong. The former route leads over the Keelaw Plains and through Bakish Marsh crossing the Werribee River in two places. Mount Bunningion then appears in sight of the well-pleased traveller and Ballarat is soon reached. The route via Geelong is much quicker as part of the way is generally performed by steam at the rate of one pound apiece. Those who wish to save their money go to Geelong by land. After leaving Flemington and passing the Benevolent Asylum, the deep creek is crossed by means of a punt and you then come to a dreary waste of land called Glets Flat. Beyond is a steep rise and a barren plain, hardly fit to graze sheep upon and at about 20 miles from Melbourne you come to the first hulking house. Some narrow but rapid creeks must be got over and for seven miles further you wander along over a dreary sheep run till stopped by the Broken River which derives its name partly from the nature of its rocky bed and partly from the native name which has a similar sound. This creek is the most steep, rapid and dangerous on the road having no bridge and no properly defined crossing place or fort except the natural rocks about. The bottom is a red sandstone and rocks of same description a butt from the sides of the creek and appeared to abound in the neighbourhood and all along the plains here and there are large fragments of sand and limestone rocks. Two hundred yards from the creek is a neat inn after the English style with a large sitting room, a tap, a bar and a coffee room. The bedrooms are so arranged as to separate knobs from snobs an arrangement rather inconsistent in a democratic colony. The inn also affords good stabling and high charges up to this distance on our road there is a scarcity of wood and springs of water. We now pass two or three huts and for twenty miles seen nothing to please the eye for it is a dead flat sheet walk. About seven miles on the Melbourne side of Geelong the country assumes a more cheering appearance homesteads, gardens and farms spring up. The roads improve and the timber is plentiful and large consisting of she-oaks, wattle, stringy barks and peppermints. Many of the houses are of a good size and chiefly built of stone some are of wood and very few of brick. Geelong which is divided into north and south is bounded by the bar one a river navigable from the bay to the town and might be extended further, beautiful valleys well-wooded light beyond. Between the two townships a park has been reserved though not yet enclosed. The timber in it which is large consisting principally of white gum and stringy bark is not allowed to be cut or injured. There are several good inns a courthouse, police station and corporation offices. There is also a neat church in the early pointed style with a patternage and schools in the Elizabethan. All are of dark limestone having a very gloomy appearance the stones being unworked except near the windows the porches alone slightly ornamented. The road and pavement are good in the chief streets. There is a large square with a conduit which is supplied by an engine from the bar one. The shops are large and well furnished a great many houses are three stories high most are two and very few one. The best part of town is about 100 feet above the river. A large timber bridge over the Ballarat Road was washed down last winter. The town is governed by a mayor and corporation. There is a city and mounted police force and a neat police court. A large and a good race course is situated about three miles from the town. As regards scenery Geelong is far superior to Melbourne. The streets are better and so is the society of the place. None of the Ruffian games and drunken mumps as seen in Victoria's chief city. There are various chapels, schools, markets, banks and a small jail. The harbour is sheltered but not safe for strangers as the shoals are numerous. Geelong is surrounded by little townships. Irish town, little Scotland and little London are the principal and to show how completely the diggings drain both towns and villages of their male inhabitants. I need only to mention that six days after the discovery of Ballarat there was only one man left in little Scotland and he was a quickal, compelled Nolan's volans to remain behind. The road from Geelong to Ballarat is well marked out so often has it been trodden and there are some good ends on the wayside for the comfort of travellers. On horseback you can go from the town to the diggings in six or eight hours. Ballarat is a barren place. The ground is interspersed with rocky fragments. The creek is small and good water is rather scarce. In summer it almost amounts to a drought and what there is then is generally brackish or stagnatic. It is necessary never to drink stagnant water or that found in holes without boiling unless there are frogs in it. Then the water is good but the diggers usually boil the water and a drop of brandy if they can get it. In passing through the plains you are sure of finding water near the surface or by seeking a few inches wherever the tea tree grows. The chief object at the Ballarat diggings is the commissioner's tent which includes the post office. There are good pleased quarters now. The old block up was rather at the primitive order being the stump of an old tree to which the prisoners were attached by sundry chains. The handcuff being round one wrist and through a link of the chain. I believe there is a tent for their accommodation. There are several doctors about who as usual drive a rare trade. It is almost impossible to describe accurately the geological features of the gold diggings at Ballarat. Some of the surface washing is good and sometimes it is only requisite to sink a few feet, perhaps only a few inches before finding the ochre-coloured earth impregnated with mica and mixed with quartzy fragments. Which, when washed pays exceedingly well but more frequently a deep shaft has to be sunk. Of course the depth of the shafts varies considerably. Some are 60 or even 80 and some are only 10 feet deep. Sometimes after heavy rains when the surface soil has been washed from the sides of the hills the mica layer is similarly washed down to the valleys and lies on the original surface soil. This constitutes the true washing stuff of the diggings. A person, when a man has to use the digger's phrase bottomed his hole, that is cut through the rocky strata and arrived at the gold layer. He will find stray indications but nothing remunerative and perchance the very next hole may be the most profitable on the diggings. Whether there is any geological rule there is yet to be proved. At present no old digger will ever sink below the mica soil or leave his hole until he arrives at it even if he sinks to 40 feet. So therefore it may be taken as a general rule wherever the diggings may be either in Victoria, New South Wales or South Australia. The diggings lies only where there is found quartz or mica. Ballarat has had the honour of producing the largest masses of gold yet discovered. These masses were all excavated from one part of the diggings known as Canadian gully and were taken out of a bed of quartz at the depths of from 50 to 60 feet below the surface. The deep indentures and nuggets were filled with the quartz. The largest of these masses weighed 134 pounds of which it was calculated that fully 126 pounds consisted of solid gold. About 7 miles to the north of Ballarat some new diggings called the Eureka had been discovered although there are no immense prizes there are few blanks and everyone doing well. In describing the road from Melbourne to Geelong I have made mention of the broken river a few weeks after my arrival in the colonies this river was the scene of a sad tragedy. I give the tale much in the same words as it was given to me I was taken out of many somewhat similar and may serve to show the state of morality in Melbourne. The names of the parties are of course entirely fictitious. Prettiest among the pretty girls that stood upon the deck as the anchor of the government immigrant ship Downshire fell into Hobsons Bay in August 1851 a heroine of my story no regret mingled with the satisfaction that beamed from her large dark eyes as their gaze fell on the shores of a new country for her orphaned brother the only relative she had left in their own dear emerald isle was even then preparing to follow her nor could she feel sad and lonely from a subdued but manly and well-loved voice fell softly on her ear and the gentle pressure of her hand continually reminded her that she was not alone Shipboard is a rare place for matchmaking and somehow or another Henry Stevens had contrived to steal away the heart of the Downshire bell Prudence however compelled our young people to postpone their marriage and whilst the good housewife qualities of the one readily procured her a situation in a highly respectable family in Melbourne Henry obtained an appointment in the police force of the same town The United Savings soon mounted up and in a few months the bands were published on Christmas Day fixed on for the wedding Mary and her lovers expressed desire quitted her mistress's family to reside with the widow, a distant relative of his own from whose house she was to be married Delightful to the young people was this short period of leisure and uninterrupted intercourse but the gold mania was now beginning to tell all the excited imaginations of all and Henry had already thrown up his situation and it was settled their wedding trip should be to the golden gullies around Mount Bunningall and now let me hasten over this portion of my narrative it is sad to dwell upon the history of human frailty or to relate the off-told tale of passion and the triumphant over virtue a few days before Christmas when the marriage ceremony was to be performed they unfortunately spent one evening together alone and he left her ruined repentance followed sin and the intervening time was passed by Mary in a state of the greatest mental anguish with what trembling eagerness did she now look forward to the day which should make her his lawful wife it arrived Mary and the friends of both stood beside the altar whilst he who should have been there to redeem his pledge and save his victim from open ruin and disgrace was far away on the road to Ballarat to describe her agony would be impossible day after day week after week and no tidings from him came conscience too acutely accounting to her for his faithlessness then the horrible truth forced itself upon her that its consequences would soon too plainly declare her sin before the world that upon her innocent offspring would fall a portion of its mother's shame thus six months stole sorrowfully away and as yet none had even conjectured the deep cause she had for misery her brother's non-arrival was also an unceasing source of anxiety and almost daily might she had been seen at the Melbourne Post Office each time to return more disappointed than before at length the oft-repeated inquiry was answered in the affirmative and eagerly she tore open the long anticipated letter it told her of an unexpected sum of money that had come into his hands to them a small fortune which had detained him in Ireland this was read and almost immediately forgotten as she learned that he was arrived in Melbourne and that only a few streets now separated them she raised her face flushed and radiant with joyful excitement her eyes fell upon him who had so cruelly injured her the scream that burst from her lips brought him involuntarily to her side what will not a woman forgive where once her heart has been touched in the double enjoyment of the moment the past was almost forgotten together they reread their welcome letter and again he wooed her for his bride she consented and he himself led her to her brother confessed their mutual fault and second preparations for an immediate marriage were hurriedly made once more at the altar of St. Peter's stood the bridal party and again at the appointed hour Stevens was far gone the second expedition to the Diggings after having increased if that was possible his previous villainy by borrowing a large portion of the money before mentioned from his intended brother-in-law it was pretty evident that the prospect of doing this had influenced him in his apparently honourable desire to atone to the poor girl who was prostrated by the second blow was laid on the bed of sickness for some weeks she continued thus and her own sufferings were increased by a sight of her brother's fury as on her partial recovery he quitted her in search of her seducer during his absence Mary became a mother and the little one that nestled in her bosom made a half forgetful of her sorrows at times ready to embrace the delusive hope that some slight happiness in life was in store for her but her bitter cup was not yet drained day by day hour by hour her little one pined away until one dreary night she held within her arms only its tiny corpse not one sound of grief not an outward sign to show possibly the heart was touched escaped her the busy neighbours left her for a while glad though amazed at her wondrous calmness when they returned to finish their preparations for committing the child to its last resting place the mother and her infant had disappeared carrying the lifeless burden closely pressed against her bosom the rain and chilling air could harm it now Mary rapidly left the town where she had experienced so much misery on, on, towards Geelong the route her seducer and his pursuer had taken on, across, let's flat until at length, weak and exhausted she sunk down on the barren plains beyond next morning the early dawn and her still plotting her weary way her only refreshment being a dry crust and some water obtained at a halting house on the road and many a pass by attracted by the wildness of her eyes her eager manner and disordered dress cast after her a curious, wondering look but she heeded them not on, on she pursued her course towards the broken river here she paused the heavy winter rains had swollen the waters which swept along, dashing over the irregular pieces of rock that formed the only means of crossing over but danger was as nothing to her now the first few steps were taken the rapid stream was rushing wildly round her a sensation of goodiness and exhaustion made her limbs tremble her footing slipped on the wet and slimy stone in another moment the ruthless waters carried her away the morrow came and the sun shone brightly upon the still swollen and rapid river two men stood beside it both too annoyed at this impediment to their return to Melbourne to be the slightest degree aware of their proximity to one another a bonnet caught by a projecting fragment of rock simultaneously attracted their attention both moved towards the spot and thus brought into closer contact they recognised each other deadly throes though they were not a word passed between them and silently they dragged the body of the unhappy girl to land in her cold and tightened grasp still laid the child as they stood gazing on those injured ones within one breast remorse and shame in the other hatred and revenge were raging violently each step on the road to Ballarat had increased her brother's desire for vengeance and still further was this heightened on discovering that Stevens had already left the diggings to return to town this disappointment maddened him his whole energy was flung into tracing his foe and in this he had succeeded so closely that unknown to either both had slept beneath the same roof at the inn besides the broken river the voices of some of the lounges there who were coming down to the creek to see what mischief had been done during the night aroused him he glanced upon his enemy who pale and trembling stood gazing on the wreck that he had made revenge at last was in his hands not a moment was to be lost with the yell of a maniac he sprung upon the powerless and conscious stricken man seized him in his arms rushed to the river any could impose both had found a grave where but a few minutes before the bodies of Mary and her infant had reposed end of section 12 section 13 of a lady's visit to the gold diggings of Australia this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org a lady's visit to the gold diggings of Australia by Ellen Clacy section 13 New South Wales about 70 years ago a small colony of convicts first made the forest ring with the blows of an axe and a few tents were erected where Sydney now stands the tents and they who dwelt beneath them have long since disappeared and instead we have one of the finest cities that our colonial empire ever produced the streets in Sydney are as in Melbourne built at right angles with one another they are macadamized well lighted with gas and perambulated by a number of policemen during the night some of the shops almost rival those of London and the public buildings are good and numerous there is a custom house a treasury, police office, college benevolent asylum banks, barracks, hospitals, libraries, churches chapels, a synagogue museum, clubhouse, theatre and many splendid hotels of which the largest is I think the Royal Hotel in George Street built at the cost of £30,000 Hyde Park is close at hand with unnumbered public walks and a botanical garden the favourite resort of all classes in the neighbourhood of Sydney are some good oyster beds and many other picnics got up for the purpose of visiting them the oysters cling to the rocks and great numbers are easily obtained the distance from Sydney to Melbourne by the Overland Road is about 600 miles but the steamers which are constantly plying offer a more comfortable mode of transit the gold diggings of New South Wales are so well known as to require but a cursory notice the first official notification of the fact of gold having been discovered bears date May 22nd 1851 and is contained in a dispatch from the Governor to Earl Grey in it he announced the existence of a gold field to the westward of Bathurst about 150 miles from Sydney at the same time he added his supposition that the gold sent for inspection was Californian Mr Stoogbury, the geological surveyor quickly under-ceived his excellency he wrote from Hill Creek reporting that 400 persons were hard at work and that the gold existed not only in the creek but beyond it the following postscript was added to his letter excuse this being written in pencil as there is no ink in this city of Ofer and this appropriate name has ever since been retained the natural consequences of this discovery was the flocking of hundreds of the inhabitants of Sydney to Bathurst sober people began to be alarmed at this complete beleavism of business and tranquility for the sake of order the government attempted to put a stop to the increasing desertion of the capital by proclaiming that the gold fields were the prerogative of the crown and threatening gold diggers with prosecution it was all in vain the glitterings of the precious metal were more attractive than the threats of the governor were otherwise the people laughed good-humoured at the proclamation and only flocked in greater numbers to the orifera spot government now took a wiser course and finding it impossible to stem the torrent determined to turn the eagerness of the multitude to some account a license fee of 30 shillings or half an ounce of gold per month was imposed which with few exceptions has always been cheerfully paid the tour on digging soon followed those of Bathurst this river flows into the Macquarie after a course of 100 miles along the entire length the riferous discoveries are constantly being made and it bids fear to last for many years to come the gold is not found as many erroneously suppose so much amongst the sand as by digging in the soil it also exists in paying quantities on the shores and in the river flows of the Macquarie the Abercrombie and Balerbala rivers Maja's Creek too was a favourite locality and was first made known by a prospecting woman according to Mr. Stuckbrew's report he found gold almost wherever he tried for it and whilst traversing the Macquarie from Orgumbler to the Turan he found it at every place he tried surely Midas must once upon a time have taken a pleasure trip to Australia the delirium of the Sydney Gold Fever reached its height when it became publicly known that a piece of 106 pounds weight had been disemboweled from the earth at one time this immense quantity was the discovery of a native who being excited by the universal theme of conversation provided himself with a tomahawk and explored the country adjacent to his employer's land he was attracted by a glittering yellow substance on the surface of a block of quartz with his tomahawk he broke off a piece which he carried home to his master Dr. Kerr of Wallower not being able to move the mass conveniently Dr. Kerr brokered into small fragments the place where it was found is at the commencement of an undulating table land in Fertile and near to a never-failing supply of water in the Murrow Creek it is distant about 50 miles from Bathurst 30 from Wellington and 20 from the nearest point of the Macquarie River Dr. Kerr presented the native and his brother with two flocks of sheep two saddle horses a quantity of rations a team of bullocks and some land about 20 yards from the spot where this mass was found a piece of gold called the Brennan Nugget was soon after discovered it weighed 336 ounces and was sold in Sydney for more than 1,100 pounds but it would be useless to enter into fuller particulars of the digging of New South Wales panoramas, newspapers and serials have made them familiar to all End of section 13 section 14 of a lady's visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia this is a LibraVox recording all LibraVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org a lady's visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia by Alan Clancy section 14 South Australia Adelaide, the capital of South Australia was the last formed of the three sister colonies in 1834 an act of colonisation was obtained and land both in town and country sold rapidly the colonists however were most unfortunately more engaged in speculating with the land than grazing upon or tilling it and the consequence was that in a few years the South Australians were only saved from a famine by the unexpected arrival over land of herds and flocks from Victoria as it was horses and cows of a very indifferent kind were sold for more than 100 pounds a piece and sheep for 5 pounds a head the discovery of the copper mines alone saved the country from ruin the first was the Kapanda it was accidentally discovered by a shepherd who picked up a piece on the surface of the ground and showed it to his master pieces of copper ore may even now be found in the same way next followed the far famed Burra Burra in the latter mine there is a great quantity of malachite which when smelted gives copper at an average of 85% South Australia possesses the finest river in Australia namely the Murray on which steamers will soon ply as far as 500 miles up the country on either side of this river is a thick and dry scrub sometimes 10, sometimes 30 miles wide in this scrub, Manor is not unfrequently found to the great delight of the natives who are very fond of it it is of a very excellent description and in colour has a slight tendency to pink Adelaide itself is a well laid out town the streets are built in the same manner as in Sydney and Melbourne but those in Adelaide are much wider many of the buildings and warehouses are highly creditable particularly when we take the juvenile age of the colony into consideration Adelaide has never yet been a transportation colony and the society there is usually considered more retrochay than in any other city in Australia the climate is very good and the vine flourishes as in the south of France the principal export of South Australia is copper to which may be added some wool and tallow the roads about are excellent and the small farms in the neighbourhood are more in the English style than one could expect to meet with so many thousand miles away from home the overland route from Adelaide to Melbourne is about 400 miles in length in summer the road is pretty good but in winter a lake or swamp of 20 miles extent has to be waded through the scrub about South Australia is very thick and anyone may easily lose themselves in it this has in fact often been the case and a fearful instance of it occurred some few years ago a young lady the daughter of a gentleman residing near Adelaide started out one Sunday afternoon with a book as her companion even came and she did not return which alarmed her family and search was made far and near but in vain on the fourth day they at length discovered her lying dead at the foot of a tree the pages of her book were covered with sentences pricked in with a pin expressing of the sufferings and other unveiling efforts to retrace her steps she was only three miles from her father's house when she sunk down to die of hunger thirst and exhaustion and probably during the whole time of her wanderings had never exceeded that distance from her home the Adelaide Goldingings began to excite attention months of August and September 1852 in October the following report was made Camp Ochanga Goldfields October 2 1852 Sir, I have the honour to state for the information of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor that since my last report 60 licences have been issued making a total of 356 many families of respectability have arrived and are now living in comfortable and commodious tents the presence of well-dressed women and children gives to the Goldfields apparently distinguished for decorum, security and respectability from the feeling of greater security and comfort combined with cheapness of living all classes of diggers are unanimous in their preference of this place to Victoria the nugget of gold which I have forwarded for His Excellency's inspection weighing about an ounce and a half was found about seven feet below the surface there are some few amongst the lately arrived who expressed dissatisfaction with the result of their labours and observations while others who had been working for the last month have promptly renewed their expired licences signed A. J. Murray Assistant Gold Commissioner the honourable the Colonial Secretary in the month of October several pieces of gold weighing each half an ounce and upwards were found and a few of the holes that had been abandoned by inexperienced hands when taken possession of by old diggers on the Turin or the Bendigo were found to contain good washing stuff the diggings were well supplied with food of every kind and during the summer months there could be no lack of fruits and vegetables in abundance at reasonable prices supplied from the numerous and well cultivated farms and gardens around this is certainly an advantage over the diggings of Victoria or New South Wales if gold really does exist in paying quantities if not all the fruit and vegetables in the world would not keep the diggers at a chunger the following lament was circulated in Adelaide but not one of the newspapers there would print it they were all too anxious for the success of their diggings to countenance any grumblers against them a lament for my thirty shillings dedicated to the a chunger victims my one pound ten, my one pound ten I paid as license fee ah cruel Bonnie, pray return that one pound ten to me when two were chunger diggings first I hastened up from town thy tent I sought with anxious care and paid the money down and though my folly ever since I bitly deplore it soothes my mind to know there were three scores of fools before then Bonnie listened to my lay and if you wished to thrive send back the money quick to me to number sixty five who wants that little here below nor wants that little long had better two were chunger go and not to mount Caron and as for me I like a swag at least a little more than what we got there in a week eight penny-weights monks fall for that of surface earth we washed of draeloads half a score I'll swear that cradling never seemed such tedious work before to sink for gold we then commenced with grief I must confess twice fruitless toil although we went down thirty feet or less all you who paid your one pound ten are on your lights and told that then you are entitled to remove alluvial gold but if the alluvial gold's not there I'd like to have it proved by what ingenious process it can ever be removed then back to Bendigo I'll haste to seek the precious ore although my one pound ten I fear returns to me no more yet as the boundary line I cross my parting prayer shall be our cruel Bonnie pray return my one pound ten to me Antigraphalus Adelaide September 1852 with a short extract from the South Australian register of February 7 1853 I shall conclude my remarks on the Adelaide diggings the gold fields although there is at the diggings everything to indicate gold in large quantities none have succeeded in realising their hopes the majority content themselves with what they can get on Chapman's Hill and Gully knowing that if a fresh place is discovered they will stand as good a chance as those who have spent months in trying to find better ground the quantity of gold taken to the assay office during four consecutive weeks amounting to less than 4,000 ounces the governor has proclaimed that after the 17th of February the office will be closed End of section 14 section 15 of a ladies visit to the gold diggings of Australia this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org a ladies visit to the gold diggings of Australia by Ellen Clacy section 15 Melbourne again it was on Monday the 25th of October that for the second time I entered Melbourne not many weeks had elapsed since I quitted it for my adventurous trip to the diggings yet in that short space of time how many changes had taken place the cloudy sky was exchanged for a brilliant sunshine the chilling air for a truly tropical heat the drizzling rain for clouds of thick cutting dust sometimes as thick as a London fog which penetrated the most substantial veil and made our skin smart terribly the streets too had undergone a wondrous transformation Colin Street looked quite bright and cheerful and was the fashionable promenade of those who had time or inclination for lounging parties of diggers were constantly starting or arriving tripsters and kildo and Brighton were daily taking place and a coach was advertised to run to the diggings I did not quite realise the terrified passengers being driven through the Black Forest but can picture their horror when ordered to ban up by a party of Australian Turpins in every window millenous, baby linen warehouses etc included was exhibited the usual advertisement of the gold buyer namely a heap of gold in the centre on one side a pile of sovereigns on the other banknotes the most significant advertisement was one I saw in a window in Colin Street in the middle was a skull perforated by a bullet which lay at a little distance as if coolly examining or speculating on the mischief it had done on one side of the skull was a revolver and on the other a quantity of nuggets above all was the emphatic inscription beware in time this rather uncomfortable looking tableau signified in a speaking manner as symbols came that the unfortunate skull had once belonged to some more unfortunate lucky digger who not having had the sense to sell his gold to the proprietor of this attractive window had kept his nuggets in his pocket thereby tempting some robbers significantly personified by the revolver to shoot him and steal the gold nowhere could you turn your eye without meeting 30,000 ounces wanted immediately a price given 10,000 ounces wanted to consign per dash extra price given to immediate sellers etc outwardly it seemed a city of gold yet hundreds were half perishing for want of food with no place of shells beneath which to lay their heads many families have freshly arrived immigrants wife children and all slept out in the open air infants were born upon the wars with no helping hand yet to support the wretched mother in her misery how greatly the last few weeks had enlarged Melbourne cities of tents encompassed this on all sides though as I said before the trifling comfort of a canvas roof above them was denied to the poorest of the poor unless a weekly tax were paid but I must return to ourselves our first business the next morning was to find for our little Jesse and at home for all our movements were so uncertain I myself thinking of return to the old country that it was considered advisable to obtain for her some better friends than a set of volatile though good hearted young fellows not the most suitable protection for a young girl even in so laxer places the colonies we never thought of letting her return to England for there the life of a female who has her own livelihood to earn is one of badly paid neighbour entailing constant probation and often great misery if not worse I have before said that William had relatives in Melbourne and to them we determined to entrust her Mrs R was a kind hearted and most exemplary woman and having a very young family of her own was well pleased at such an acquisition as a thoughtful, industrious little Jesse each of our party contributed a small portion of their golden earnings to form a fund for a future day which I doubt not will be increased by our little friends industry long before she needs it here let us leave her trusting that her future life may be as happy as her many excellent qualities deserve and hoping that her severest trials have already passed over her our next care was to obtain our gold from the escort office to which the receipts given in Bendigo had to be handed in and after very little delay the precious packets were restored to their respective owners the following is a facsimile of the tickets printed on parchment attached to which parcel of which a duplicate printed on common paper is given to the depositor Bendigo Creek Number 2772 Date 8th October 1852 Name Mr A Quantity Ounces Ten Hundred Weights Concigned to Self The trifling charge for all this trouble and responsibility is six months an ounce The business satisfactorily arranged the next was to dispose of it some was converted into money and sold for 69 shillings an ounce and the remainder was consigned to England where being very pure and above standard it realised four pounds an ounce of difference then We next paid Richard a visit who though surprised was well pleased to see us again He declared his resolution of returning to England as soon as possible Our party fixed their journey to the ovens to take place in three weeks William determined to remain in town which I think shared wisdom on his part as his health was not equal to roughing it in the bush and this was a much more formidable trip an account of length and being much less frequented Meanwhile we enjoyed the fine weather and our present companionship as much as possible while taking little trips here, there and everywhere The one I most enjoyed was a sale in the bay The captain of the vessel in which we left England was still detained in Port Phillip for want of hands the case of hundreds and offered to give us a sale and a dinner on board afterwards We soon made up a large party and enjoyed it exceedingly The day was lovely We walked down to Leodad's Beach a distance of nearly three miles and were soon calmly skimming over the waters We passed and killed there and brightened and gained an excellent view of the innumerable vessels then lying useless and half deserted in the bay It was a sad though a pretty sight There were fine East Indian men immigrants ships American clippers steamers, traders foreign and English, whalers etc waiting there only through want of seaman In the cool of the evening our gallant host rode us back to the beach Since our first landing tents and stores had been erected in great numbers a little adelaide was growing wonderfully I think I have never mentioned the quantity of frogs that are bound in Australia This particular evening I have marked them more than usual and without the least exaggeration their croaking resembled the number of mills in motion I know nothing to which I can more appropriately liken the noise that resounds as along the swampy portions of the road from the beach to Melbourne Much has been said of the climate of Australia and many are the afflicting statements thereon The following table contains all the information, personal and otherwise which I have been enabled to collect January and February January the hottest month average thermometer, 78 in the shade thunderstorms and colonial showers of rain occasionally visitors March fine, genuine weather average temperature, 73 in the shade April weather more uncertain mosquitoes depart 70 in the shade May far until towards the latter part of the month when sometimes the rainy season coincides average temperature in the shade 64 June rainy and much cooler temperature at an average of 58 in the shade July, coldest month in the year mid-winter in the colonies average temperature 53 ice and snow may be seen inland August very rainy average temperature 58 in the shade September windy stormy month weather getting warmer average temperature 63 in the shade October the presence of the mosquito assure proof that the weather is permanently warm average temperature in the shade 66 November and December tropical warm low-Christmas mosquitoes and unnumbered creeping things swarm both in bush and in town towards the end of December the creeks commence to dry up and the earth looks patched for want of rain no eulog needed on Christmas day thermometer as high as 97 in the shade average 75 the principal trees in Australia are the gum, stringy bark manetry, wild cherry so-called iron bark shiok, peppermint, acacia and the mimosa which last however should be more properly called the shrub these and others like the Indian Melaluchus are remarkable for the Cajaput oil contained in their leaves and then the gums which exude from their stems and in this point of view alone considering their boundless number their value can hardly be overestimated the gum of some of the acacias will bear comparison with gum arabic their bark and timber are likewise useful and when the gold fever has subsided will become valuable as exports wildflowers there are in abundance and some exquisite specimens of ferns for the benefit of those better skilled in botany than myself I give the following list of Dr. Muller's indigenous plants of Victoria Coria ocolenca and Fabiam esterisco forum both with the medicinal properties of the buco bush uribia rodo caita i ragosa i adnophila i astrotristia sambacus galdicciadiana prostanthia heresuta pinealia exaflora powerful surrogate of the mesurin shrub osidia decumcus esteristo aspirifolia patersonia aspera gavilia repens delaciana etc the geranium fuchsia, rhododendron and almost all varieties of the cacti have been taken to the colonies and flourish well in the open air all year round growing much more luxuriously than in england the vineyards must someday form a considerable source of employment to the colonists the wine made in australia is very good the vines are cultivated in the same manner as in france in the neighbourhood of sydney oranges and peaches are grown out in the open air apples and other fruits flourish well in van diemen's land all these fruits are not indigenous to australia the only articles of food natural there are the kangaroos, emus, opossums and other denizens of the forest a few snakes, some roots and a worm about the length and thickness of a finger which is abundant in all parts of the colonies and is taken out of the cavities or from under the bark of the trees it is a great favourite with the flakes as it can be procured when no other food is obtainable I have before made mention of the bush and scrub there is a great dissimilarity between the two the former resembles a forest with a very little underwood the scrub on the contrary is always underwood are from about 6 to 20 feet high and only here and there a few trees are seen to be lost in either bush or scrub is a common thing if on horseback the best way is to give the rain to your forefooted companion an instinct will most probably enable him to extricate you if on foot ascend if possible and notice any fall in the country here most likely is a creek and once beside that you are pretty sure of coming to a station if this fails you must just bush it for the night and resume your search next morning trusting from an occasional cooie to help you out of your difficulty the scenery of Australia partakes of all characters sometimes miles of swamp reminds one of the linkage and sheer fins at other times it assumes quite a park-like appearance though the effect is greatly injured by the want of freshness about the foliage which always looks of a dirty dingy green the native trees in Australia never shed their leaves never have that exquisite young tint which makes an English spring in the country so delicious their faded look always reminded me of those unfortunate trees imprisoned for so many months beneath the crystal palace the mountains in Australia are high and bold in outline and the snow-capped alps on the boundaries of New South Wales are not unlike their European namesakes the highest tops are from 6,000 to 7,000 feet above the level of the sea the country around Ballarat is more in the North American style and when the creek is full it is a fine sight greatly resembling I have heard one of the smaller rivers in Canada in fact the scenery around Ballarat is said to approach more to Upper Canada than any in the colony the rocks and although not high are in places very bold and romantic and in the wet season there are several waterfalls in the neighbourhood eels are very plentiful in Victoria and are peculiar to this district being seldom if ever found in any other part of the known continent old writers on Australia have stated that eels are unknown in this part of the world which since this colony has been settled in have been found to be erroneous as the Darwin the Ariara and their tributaries are bound with them some weighing 5 or 6 pounds a few days after our return from the diggings we breakfasted off a dish of stewed eels caught by a friend the smallest weighed about a pound and a half the largest about 3 pounds they were caught 3 miles from Melbourne in the Saltwater Creek a small kind of fish like the lamprey another similar to the gungeon and also one of a rather larger kind the size of a roach here called white herrings but not at all resembling that fish a fowl pike are also very numerous crabs and lobsters are not known here but in the Saltwater Creek near the sea we have crawfish of course the cockatoos and shish like are bound in the bush to the horror of the small gardeners and cultivators as what they do not eat they ruin by destroying the young shoots kangaroos are extremely numerous in the scrub they are the size of a large greyhound and of a mouse colour the natives call them kangaroo the tail is of great length there are several varieties of them the largest is the great kangaroo of a greyish brown colour generally 4 or 5 feet high and the tail 3 some kangaroos are nearly white while others resemble the herring colour pugs or young kangaroos are plentiful about the marshy grounds and so also are the opossum and kangaroo rat the latter is not a rat properly speaking but approaches the squirrel tribe it is a lilliputian kangaroo the size of our native wood squirrel and larger only grey or reddish grey it can leap 6 or 8 feet easily and is excellent eating the native dog is of all colours it has the head and brush of a fox with the body and legs of a dog it is a cowardly animal will run away from you like mad it is a great enemy of the kangaroo rat and a torment to the squatter for our native dog has a great penchant for mutton and will kill 30 or 40 sheep in the course of an hour a species of mockingbird which inhabits the bush is a ludicrous creature it imitates everything and makes many a camping party imagine there is a man near them when they hear it whistle or hearty laugh this bird is nicknamed the jacketh and its loud ha ha ha is heard every morning at dawn echoing through the woods and serving the purpose of a boot by calling the sleepy traveller in good time to get his breakfast and pursue his journey the bats here are very large insects, fleas etc are as plentiful as it is possible to be and the ants of which there are several kinds are a perfect nuisance the largest are called by the old colonists bulldogs and formidable creatures they are luckily not very common about an inch and a half long black or rusty black with a red tail they bite like a little crab ants of an inch long are quite common they do not like the English ones run scared away at the sight of a human being not a bit of it Australian ants have more pluck and will turn and face you nay more should you retreat they will run half to you it is imaginable often when my organ of destructiveness has tempted me slightly to disturb with the end of my parasol one of the many ant hills on the way from Melbourne to Richmond I have been obliged as soon as they discovered the perpetrator of the attack to take to my hills and run away as if for my life centipedes and triantelopes colonial for tarantula are very common and although not exactly fatal they are very dangerous if not attended to the deaf adder is the most formidable varment in Australia there are two varieties it is generally about two feet long the bite is fatal the deaf adder never moves unless it is touched hence its name I do not think it has the power of twisting or twirling like the ordinary snake or other and it is very slow in its movements there are several species of snakes some of them are extremely venomous and grow to a large size as long as 10 feet the black snake is the most venomous of any its bite is fatal within a few hours but let us leave these wilder subjects and return to Melbourne the state of society and the town had not improved much during my absence on the public road from Melbourne to St Kilda 15 men were robbed in one afternoon and tied to trees within sights of one another in Melbourne itself the same one of security prevailed and constant lectures etc were always advertised to take place when there was a full moon the only notes anyone unarmed a dead venture out after dusk the following extract from the Argus gives a fair specimen of Melbourne order we are led to these remarks referring to a tyre raid against the Government by an occurrence which took place last week in Queen Street the whole detail of which is peculiarly illustrative of the very creditable state of things to which under the happy auspices of the Latrobe dynasty we are rapidly descending a ruffian robs a man in a public house in broad daylight he is pursued by a constable and taken on the way to the watch house a mob collects the police are attacked, pistols are pointed bludgeons and axe handles are brought out of the adjacent houses all still in broad daylight and in a busy street and distributors amongst the crowd loud cries inciting attack are occured a scuffle ensued the police are beaten the prisoner is rescued the crowd separates and the man is left dead upon the ground the body is taken into a public house an inquest is held the deceased is recognised as a drunkard the jury is assured that a post mortem examination is quite unnecessary and the man is buried after a verdict is brought in of died by the visitation of God the said visitation of God having in this instance assumes a somewhat peculiar form of a factured skull this is a true picture of Melbourne but whether the Argus is justified in reproaching the Latrobe dynasty with it is quite another matter in pages like this anything resembling an argument on the transportation question would be sadly out of place to avoid thinking or hearing it was impossible for during my second stay in Melbourne it was a never failing subject of conversation in Victoria which is only 48 hours journey from Van Demen's land I have seen the bad results of the mingling of so many transports and ticket of leave men amongst the free population on the other hand I have heard from many good authorities of the substantial benefits conferred on Sydney and New South Wales by Convict Labor it is difficult to reconcile these two statements and it is an apple of discord in the colonies whilst in Victoria I met with a great variety of immigrants and I was much struck by the great success that seems to have tended on almost all those who came out under the auspices of Mrs Chisholm no one in England can fully appreciate the benefits her unwearied exertions have confirmed upon the colonies I have met many of the matrons of her ships and not only do they themselves seem to have made their way in the world but the young females who are under their care during the voyage appear to have done equally well perhaps one way of accounting for this is the fact that a great many of those going out by the Chisholm Society are from Scotland the inhabitants of which country are very fortunate in their colonies the industry, frugality and caniness being the very qualities to make a fortune there Sydney Herbert's needle woman bear a bad name and the worst recommendation a young girl applying for a situation can give is to say she came out in that manner not because the colonists look down on anyone coming out by the assistance of others but because it is imagined female associates on the voyage cannot have been such to have improved her morality even if she were good for anything before much is said and written in England about the scarcity of females in Australia and the many good offers waiting acceptance of those who have the courage to travel so far but the colonial bachelors who are so ready to get married and so very easy in their choice of wife are generally those least calculated in spite of their wealth to make a respectable girl happy whilst the better class of squatters and diggers if they do not return home to get married which is often the case are not satisfied with anyone however pretty for a wife and their so manners are cultivated and her principles correct to wander through Melbourne and its environs no one would imagine that females were as one to four of the male population for bonnets and parasols everywhere outnumber the wider wakes this is occasioned by the absence of so many of the Lords of Creation in pursuit of what they value many of them at least more than all the women in the world nuggets the wives just left in town to deplore their husbands infatuation are termed grass widows a money expression and now two of the three weeks of our party's stay in Melbourne has expired during which time a change of personal has made my brother's protection no longer needed by me my wedding trip was to be to England and the marriage was to take place and myself and Carlos Boso to leave Australia before my brother departed for the oven stickings the CFI in the East Indianmen then lying in the bay was bound for London were to be on board by the 12th of November this of course gave me plenty to do and my last morning but one in Melbourne was dedicated that favourite feminine occupation which however I detest I mean shopping this being accomplished to my great dissatisfaction for all I bought could have been obtained as a better description for half the price in England I was prepared to return home by way of Collins Street when my name and familiar accents made me suddenly pause I instantly recognised the lady who addressed me as one of the English governesses in a finishing school where three years of my girlhood were passed Julia Dash was a great favourite amongst us no one could have done otherwise than admire the ability and good humour with which she fulfilled her many arduous duties perhaps of all miserable positions for a well educated and refined young person to be placed in that of little girl's teacher in a lady's school is the worst her subsequent history I learnt as we walked together to my present abode her mother had a cousin in Sydney who being old and unmarried wrote to her promising to settle all his property which was considered large upon her daughter and herself his only living relatives providing they came out to the colonies to live with him till his death a sum of money to defray the expenses of the voyage was enclosed this piece of unexpected good news was received with pleasure and the invitation gladly accepted they sailed for Sydney on arriving there they found that some speculation in which he was greatly involved had failed and the old man had taken a loss so greatly to heart that he died only five months after having dispatched the letter to his English relatives poor Julia was placed in a most painful position in England she had scarcely been able to support her invalid mother by her own excursions but in a strange country and without friends these difficulties seemed increased her first act was to look over the advertising columns of the paper and her eye caught one sight of which seemed exactly the suit it was wanted a governess to take entire charge of a little girl the daughter of a widower and also an elderly lady to super intend the domestic arrangement of the same family during the continual absence of the master at another station Julia wrote immediately and was accepted in the occasional visits that her pupils father played to his little girl he could not fail to be struck by the sweet disposition and many other good quantities of her governess and it ended by his making her his wife I felt at liberty to congratulate her for she looked the picture of happiness I saw her again next day when she showed me the advertisement which had been the means of such a change in her circumstances the day before my departure was a painful one so many farewells to be taken of dear friends whom I should never meet again on Friday the 15th of November my brother and all our party Richard and Jesse included accompanied us to the pier at Williamstown to which we were conveyed by a steamer for this we played five shillings a piece and the same for each separate box or parcel and twelve shillings to a man carting our luggage down to the Melbourne Wharf a distance of not a mile on landing at the pier how great near was I astonished to meet Harriet and her husband her modest desires were gratified and they had realised sufficient capital at the diggings to enable them to settle most comfortably near Adelaide in hurried words she told me this for their boat was already alongside the pier waiting to take them to their ship hardly had they departed when a boat arrived from our vessel to convey us to it sad adures were spoken and we were rode away that evening a pilot came on board ankles were weighed we left the bay and I saw Melbourne no more End of section 15