The Gold Hunters' Adventures; Or, Life in Australia

to distinguish objects ten yards distant. The men were Smith the convict, Fred, and myself. Each of our mouths were graced with dingy pipes, and while we

given place to a coolness that felt doubly refreshing after th

kulked in the vicinity, and waited for the time when sleep would overpower us, and allow them free pillage of our larder. Occasionally an impatient one would utter a short bark, as though expressive of his disgust at

ture. From the time that our pipes were lighted not a word had been exchanged, and I was just about knocking the ashes from mine,

elf, and was holding his pipe in one hand, while his head was bent in the direction of

knew the bay, and could have sworn that the animal was a staghound, and a full-blooded brute at that. I had seen none

is time of night?" I asked of the co

at it is a hound

animal, and is informing his master of its whereabouts," I repl

g this way, and perhaps has started a kangaroo. If it comes wi

tried to peer into the darkness, but a moment's experiment convin

t old England," the convict said, as the baying

that part of the country, the frequent robberies that had of late been committed, and the daring of the bushrangers, were all ample cause for vigila

our rifles from the ground, and start to our feet, when the animal sprang

d as though in readiness to bring it down upon the skull of the dog if he showed

he convict, seemed to measure the danger in which he stood at a glance, and before we could interfere, or the heavy axe descend, sprang full at the throat

had quit his grip and began craunching some bones which were lying near the fire, tearing the m

ing to his feet. "Don't fire; you se

t, as we looked at the dog, and saw how greedily he was devouring his food, we

djusting his shirt collar, which had been somewhat disarranged. "It served me

fered, and wagged his long, rat-like tail in satisfaction. When, however, he had nearly demolished one fore-quarter of our prize, he walked a short

to answer the inquiry; and, before we could speak again, the hound walked slowly back to the fire, lo

such was his desire, grave questions arose as to the expediency of our doing so. We thought that possibly it was a trick to induce us to leave our b

d that was said on the subject; indeed, when Smith stated, during the conversation, that he would not on any account leave

d, grasping his rifle as though he

rds, crouched at his feet and licked his sh

e was musing on the subject, but when he saw that we only waite

means of saving life, and, perhaps, much suffering.

e. In a few minutes, despite our exertions to keep pace with him, he was out of sight; but we followed along the course which h

ength of period; and after we had walked nearly three miles, the a

irection," muttered the convict, glancing

ot?" I

the forest which I spoke to you about. It is infest

of an hour longer, and then, by the uneasy movements of th

e next moment we were upon the steep bank of a gulch, nearly thirty feet deep; and had not t

step would lead us to our ruin; but, after listening for a while, we heard the dog as

d ourselves at the bottom. The hound was waiting for us, and testified his impatience by a d

But a short distance from us were the indistinct outlines of a cart, and near the vehi

By the bright starlight, but which hardly penetrated the gulch, we saw the form of a

his heavy axe aside, and in a twinkling had the woman's head upon his knee, and was

and placed my hand upon his heart. He was cold, and his heart was motionless. As I withdrew my hand, I felt t

aid, quickly. "We will strike a l

few shavings, and a bright fire was soon under headway, and cast its ruddy glare upon the group collected around t

f any color in her face, while her garments appeared as though they had experienced rough usage, and were torn in a dozen different places. In spite of the strong decoction which Smith had poured down her thr

two large, ragged wounds, either of which was sufficient to let out the life of a man, and from each had

" I cried, holding up my hands, staine

eplied Fred, in a low tone. "There h

ried, with a shud

a burning brand and holding it so that the light was

he impression of finger-nails, as though she had been seized with no gentle h

of the sun's burning rays, were the dark marks to be seen; and the hand that had left it

Often did he rise and lick the face of the insensible woman, and after utterin

d Fred, who was rubbing a hand that appeared acc

r mouth. Whether the chafing began to have its effect, or the liquor was uncommonly strong, is a matter of doubt; but at an

ions, sprang to her feet, and with loud shrieks sought to escape. Before she had taken half a dozen steps, however, Smith's stout arms were thrown around h

when her strength failed, and she sank exhausted and panting into his arms, for the first

e, even your dog is satisfied that we mean no harm; he led us to this place, or you wou

nce, during which her wild eyes wandered from face to f

e question, though in a louder tone, and a

nd as she turned her restless eyes towards the car

g to her feet, in spite of the gentle restr

bbed as though her heart would break. We did not interrupt her grief, but the faithful dog lay down beside her, and added his subd

ime when the woman would exhaust her grief, and give us some

ate woman in her present hour of grief. There were a few culinary utensils, besides a thin mattress and blankets-all thrown in promiscuou

f rifles? Besides, the cattle needed looking after, and collecting, or they would be likely to stray back towards Melbourne and get mixed with the wild animals which belonged to some of the numerous stockmen on the road. Or

ion, and yet explain about the large amount of property which he had left unprotected. As her sobs had somewhat subsided

had been his sister; "we are strangers, but there is not a man present but will shed his blood in your defence; and while

bs, which commenced anew at the sound of his voice. At length she raised her head, brushed bac

without friends? My troubles are so unexpected that if I do not appear grateful, attribute it to a

ith all its former violence. Smith soothed and comforted her, and gradually was

desire to try his luck at the mines, and as we had a little money left after reaching this country, he invested it in buying a cart and horse, and a few articles which were needed on the route. I was very reluctant to part with my children, but I now perceive that it was for the best; for

as though reluctant to proceed. Smith and I exchanged glanc

; but he was innocent of the charge against him, and it has since been made mani

ch he was convicted?" asked S

obliged to repeat his question before he obtained an answer

h of my mother," she answered

before you we

Ogle

ood news to her, he waited to hear the balance of her history si

ld make a better living here than in England. We were the more inclined to follow his advice, as the letters con

g the city," cried Smith, "for we alread

urprised, an

the first ship that sailed for Australia; but when we reached port we found none to welcome us; and it was only after diligent inquiries that we learned where he was located. Yesterday, about noon, we thought that we must be near his home; and on inquiring of a man that we met, he said that he knew him

ing man was your g

orehead was a large scar, that looked as though recently inflicted. I noticed him

reply to my interrogation; "the villai

panions addressed him," cried the w

tinue her narrative, and motioned

d in pursuit of a strange animal that bounded along the prairie faster than the hound could run. We all became interested in the chase, and when we lost sight of dog and animal, I looked up and found five rough men close beside me. I started with surprise; but before my husband could say a word, o

's cold bosom, and her tears flowed fast and freely, while her

ourney before us, and time is precious; but we will lose a day for the purpose of restoring you to your father.

d, rising, as though the n

u up this bank. Courage-remember you l

en thought took possession of her mind, and she quitted his

som. "He has been my only friend for years; he did not despise me when he knew that my parent was a conv

ss," Fred crie

at the poor thing has suffered,

n his arms, soothed her, spoke words of comfort to her, and promised if she would but leave the s

ing, her eyes were fixed upon the pale face of her husband, as though she expected each mom

en, after long labor, we had gained the bank of the ravine, we found t

ed of Smith, as we

ed; "and then, if I mistake not

, who was carrying the rifles,

venge," cried S

, brandishing his rifle; "God only

ed the glowing tints of the rising sun; and a hundred bright-plumed birds darted through the air, awakeni