The Gold Hunters' Adventures; Or, Life in Australia

traordinary skill at spear-hurling, the sun shone out with a brilliancy and power that caused the

ct pointed to the well known signs of water, with an encouraging smile, if, indeed, a smile could be seen when a man's face is plastered over an inch thick with dust; but at any rate we were willing to consider it as an expression of

?" I gasped, as the convict p

napping his long whip, and encouraging

their sturdy necks to the yoke with renewed energy, and plodded alon

gh the level prairie, and which, during the rainy season was unfordable; but now, when the

with. The stock-whip was often raised, and its long lash exercised with terrible severity, and every time it touched the flanks of the brutes, a small piece of skin not larger than a sixpence was

d, indignantly, "to tortu

cargo of goods, and perhaps lose two or three animals by strangulation?" demanded the c

ing of the kind; but I still think that it is a har

to my charge to suffer loss for the want of a few applications of the whip. After you have b

ensible to others' woes," cried Fr

which I have been guilty, and at times think of a mother's prayers when I was a boy. Your words have recalled the days when I used to sit upon her knee and listen to her words, and promise that when I gre

. "I look upon you in the light of a friend, and the folly of other days weighs not the w

gh they had just found out one another's worth; and when the convi

us get a bit of dinner, and then I will take you to the old cattle statio

towards the shadow of a tree, and thinking how pleasantl

l feel amply repaid, tempting as the shadow of yonder tree

ill go,"

. They stretch over the land for miles in extent; even the owner does not know how many he possesses, and has never visited his stockman, but trusts all to an agent. Of course the latter has full au

on is better than an o

brow; and from that time until the coffee was boiled, he did not speak anothe

within their reach. Fred and myself had bathed and felt refreshed, and as soon as dinner was over, we announced to the co

id, when he saw that we were

at him i

dare not venture. In that dreary retreat bushrangers find homes-stealing forth as they do during the night, to feast upon slaughtered sheep, and rob travellers; they lead an anxious life, as they never kn

rifles for the purpose, of guarding against

shranger, and if we were without arms he could do his will, and we should be powerless. As for kangaroos, I've killed many on the very spot where we now stand; so let me warn you

if not more than thirty rods distant," cried Fred, glan

the moment; but without enlightening us he strode along the bank of the stream, leading the way towards

brook; while, covering the vast plain were herds of sheep and lambs, so numerous that they seemed like

there for no good purpose, they started off into a run, tumbling over each other in their flight, until they had placed

old trade," Smith said, after we had expressed

for a mile or two. Twice did he repeat the signal, and as he finished, the animals came slowly toward

ock in that manner! and although years have passed since I was

pointing to a man who emerged from the hut, gun in hand, and

but after he had been in the colony three years, new facts were brought to light which made his innocence apparent. His counsel petitioned government for a release; but the ministers turned a deaf ear to all entreaties, and said that as a jury had presumed upon his guilt, they would not think of requesting her majesty to grant a pardon; and the only thing they would attempt, woul

and in a low tone, for we were close to the unfortunate

about fifty years of age, thin and slightly inclined to stoop. His face was strongly mar

f jet black, combed, and carefully trimmed, reminded me of a distinguished minister that I had

s of Smith, when his gun was rested against the side of the hut, and he once

assured cheerfulness; "how

his face, with its wrinkles and lines of care, for an answer. A moment after, his he

nley's band lately

stockman, still ret

within the past few

replied

h, as his eyes sought the flocks as though wondering

h chairs, that looked as though introduced during the days of Sir Francis Drake, a few pans hanging against the wall, an old che

is visit; and after we had gratified our curiosity, we left the room

a number of rods behind, we turned and saw that he was still buried in p

ed; "his unjust sentenc

"He has but one wish on earth now; and th

hildren living

o children. The stockman has saved every shilling of his earnings for the last few years, for the purpose of paying their passage to this country, where he thinks the husband can prosper, and where he will have the privil

Fred, once more stopping to look at the solitary man, who still

nting with his hand towards a tall, slim animal, that was

legs, of a dark red color, with small spots of white upon its breast, while two short arms, or flippers, were d

istance was too great for a rifle shot, we slowly edged

ed by tall, rank grass and sweet-scented shrubs, until we were

mmand our attention. "The poor brute is a fema

er. They were of a much lighter color than the old one, and the fur upon their bellies was nearly pure white. For some

onvict cried, as we moved a

a few rods from Smith, the latter suddenly

he mother, after a hasty glance around, and comprehending the danger in which she stood, suddenly sprang from beneath the shelter of the tree, and with the most extraordinary bo

relaxing her speed; when, thinking that

discharged, and with a mighty bound the poor brute sprang into the air, alighted on the ground, and,

s curling over his head. For a moment he seemed to be warmed into life by the excitement of the sport, but before the kangaroo h

teel, while a powerful tail, long and bony, was also used to help the animal make those tremendous bounds,

sappeared?" I asked, after we had

that they are still abou

Smith maintained his gravity a

"Just prove to us the truth of your stateme

mouth of a pouch, but which had escaped our attention. He drew forth, as the result of his investigation, a little, st

as dragged to light; but it uttered shrill cries of terror, and e

e," cried Fred, indignantly, he having recover

n earth to sentence its murd

shadow of his hut, and was occupied the same way

s own good time," the stockman continued, as he

u take her life?

ft his burden so that the load whic

while Smith, who was used to such scenes, and therefore had hardened his heart, deliberately co

oo; and while feasting there was little thought