A Lady's Visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia in 1852-53

the dinner in the charge of the others. We left the busy throng of the diggers far behind us, and wandered into spots where the sound of the pick

r yet trodden by the foot of man; the soft still air, so still that it left every leaf unruffled, flung a

rest swayed to and fro, a sighing moaning sound was borne upon the wind, and a noise as of the rush of waters, dark massive clouds rolled over the sky till the bright blue heavens were compl

nted, though it was long before we could venture to leave our place of refuge. At length however, we did so, and endeavoured to find our way back to Eagle Hawk Gully. Hopeless task!

nk; "another half-hour and the rain will be a

the time he had specified a slight drizzl

misfortune the small pocket-compass, which Frank had brought with him, and which would have now so greatly assisted us, was missing, most probably dropped from his pocke

ther by reflecting that the next morning we could not fail to reach our tents. The rain had entirely ceased, and providentially for us the night was pitch dark-I say providentially, because after having remained for two hours

night like this may be your sister's death

have been awkward customers in the dark; wonderful to relate we escaped both, and when within hailing distance of the light, which we perceived came from a torch hold by some one, we shouted with all our remaining strength, but without diminishing our exertions to reach it

too late. My feet slipped-a sharp pain succeeded by a sudden chill-a feel

was all that met my eyes to the dismal scene through which I had so lately passed, and which yet haunted my memory, that I felt that sweet feeling of relief w

e right foot, gave me pretty strong evidence as to the reality of the last night's adventures. I was forced to lie down again, but not before I had espied a hand-bell which lay within reach on a small barrel near my bed. Determined as far as possible to fathom the mystery, I rang a

deep blue, and a rich brown was the colour of her hair, which she wore in very short curls al

that time I only felt that her gentle voice and ki

s the previous evening. I learnt that these tents belonged to a party from England, of one of whom she was the wife, and the tent in whi

Whilst thus engaged they heard our voices calling for help. They answered, at the same time getting ready some more torches before, advancing to meet us, as there were several pit-holes between us and them. Their call for us to remain stationary came too late to save me from slipping into one of their pits, thereby spraining my ankle and otherwise hurting myself, besides bei

n. Their tents were situated on a slight rise, or they would have run great risk of being washed away; every hole was filled with water, and the shea-oak, of whose friendly shelter we had availe

ll; it was only three miles distant. He was to bring back with him a change of clothing for me, as his wife had persuaded my brother to leave me in her charge unt

with the how, when, and where. Subsequently she related to me some portion of t

ver, it is deserving