CONTENTS.
| INTRODUCTION | [13] | |
| CHAPTER I. | ||
| FIRST THOUGHTS OF GOING TO AUSTRALIA.—DEPARTURE FROM CALIFORNIA.—LIFE ON BOARD SHIP.—ARRIVAL AT WILLIAMS TOWN.—DESCRIPTION OF MELBOURNE.—A CONVICT'S HUT. | [15] | |
| CHAPTER II. | ||
| A MORNING IN AUSTRALIA.—JOURNEY TO THE MINES OF BALLARAT.—THE CONVICT'S STORY.—BLACK DARNLEY, THE BUSHRANGER. | [20] | |
| CHAPTER III. | ||
| TRAVELLING IN AUSTRALIA.—AN ADVENTURE WITH SNAKES.—CARRYING THE MAILS. | [29] | |
| CHAPTER IV. | ||
| EATING BROILED KANGAROO MEAT.—AUSTRALIAN SPEAKS AND AMERICAN RIFLES. | [34] | |
| CHAPTER V. | ||
| THE SOLITARY STOCKMAN.—SHOOTING A KANGAROO. | [41] | |
| CHAPTER VI. | ||
| ADVENTURE WITH A DOG.—THE MURDER IN THE RAVINE.—STORY OF AN OUTRAGED WOMAN. | [47] | |
| CHAPTER VII. | ||
| BLACK DARNLEY'S VILLANY.—THE CONVICT STOCKMAN. | [56] | |
| CHAPTER VIII. | ||
| AN EXPEDITION.—A FIGHT WITH BUSHRANGERS.—DEATH OF BLACK DARNLEY. | [61] | |
| CHAPTER IX. | ||
| THE STOCKMAN'S DAUGHTER.—MOUNTED POLICE OF MELBOURNE. | [68] | |
| CHAPTER X. | ||
| DESPERATE DEEDS OF TWO CONVICTS.—LIEUT. MURDEN'S STORY. | [73] | |
| CHAPTER XI. | ||
| SAGACITY OF A DOG.—A NIGHT'S ADVENTURES. | [79] | |
| CHAPTER XII. | ||
| DISCOVERY OF A MASONIC RING.—FUNERAL PYRE OF BLACK DARNLEY. | [87] | |
| CHAPTER XIII. | ||
| THE STOCKMAN AND HIS PARROT.—DARING PLOT OF A ROBBER CHIEFTAIN. | [93] | |
| CHAPTER XIV. | ||
| DISCOVERY OF STOLEN TREASURES IN THE STOCKMANS'S CELLAR. | [101] | |
| CHAPTER XV. | ||
| DYING CONFESSION OF JIM GULPIN, THE ROBBER. | [107] | |
| CHAPTER XVI. | ||
| A FORCED MARCH TOWARDS MELBOURNE. | [114] | |
| CHAPTER XVII. | ||
| TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO MELBOURNE. | [120] | |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | ||
| LARGE FIRE IN MELBOURNE.—ENGLISH MACHINES AT FAULT. | [127] | |
| CHAPTER XIX. | ||
| PARDON OF SMITH AND THE OLD STOCKMAN.—GRAND DINNER AT THE GOVERNOR'S. | [134] | |
| CHAPTER XX. | ||
| DUEL BETWEEN FRED AND AN ENGLISH LIEUTENANT. | [142] | |
| CHAPTER XXI. | ||
| PREPARATIONS FOR THE SEARCH FOR GULPIN'S BURIED TREASURES. | [151] | |
| CHAPTER XXII. | ||
| DEPARTURE FROM MELBOURNE.—FIGHT WITH THE NATIVES. | [158] | |
| CHAPTER XXIII. | ||
| ARRIVAL AT THE OLD STOCKMAN'S HUT.—MYSTERIOUS INTERRUPTIONS DURING THE HUNT. | [164] | |
| CHAPTER XXIV. | ||
| ROBBERY OF THE CART.—CAPTURE OF STEEL SPRING. | [171] | |
| CHAPTER XXV. | ||
| STEEL SPRING'S HISTORY. | [176] | |
| CHAPTER XXVI. | ||
| FINDING OF THE TREASURE. | [181] | |
| CHAPTER XXVII. | ||
| CAPTURE OF ALL HANDS, BY THE BUSHRANGERS. | [187] | |
| CHAPTER XXVIII. | ||
| OPPORTUNE ARRIVAL OF LIEUTENANT MURDEN AND HIS FORCE.—ROUT OF THE BUSHRANGERS. | [195] | |
| CHAPTER XXIX. | ||
| REVENGE OF THE BUSHRANGERS.—FIRING OF THE FOREST. | [201] | |
| CHAPTER XXX. | ||
| PERILOUS SITUATION DURING THE FIRE.—STEEL SPRING TURNS UP. | [208] | |
| CHAPTER XXXI. | ||
| CAPTURE OF THE BUSHRANGERS, AND DEATH OF NOSEY. | [213] | |
| CHAPTER XXXII. | ||
| RETURN TO THE STOCKMAN'S HUT.—SMITH IN LOVE. | [219] | |
| CHAPTER XXXIII. | ||
| RECOVERY OF THE GOLD.—ARRIVAL AT BALLARAT. | [226] | |
| CHAPTER XXXIV. | ||
| THE BULLY OF BALLARAT.—FRED FIGHTS A DUEL. | [234] | |
| CHAPTER XXXV. | ||
| BALLARAT CUSTOMS, AFTER A DUEL. | [242] | |
| CHAPTER XXXVI. | ||
| ARRIVAL AT BALLARAT.—MR. BROWN'S STORY. | [249] | |
| CHAPTER XXXVII. | ||
| FINDING OF A 110 LB. NUGGET.—CAVING IN OF A MINE. | [257] | |
| CHAPTER XXXVIII. | ||
| INCIDENTS IN LIFE AT BALLARAT. | [265] | |
| CHAPTER XXXIX. | ||
| ATTEMPT OF THE HOUSEBREAKER.—ATTACK BY THE SNAKE. | [272] | |
| CHAPTER XL. | ||
| DEATH OF THE BURGLAR BY THE SNAKE. | [278] | |
| CHAPTER XLI. | ||
| VISIT TO SNAKES' PARADISE. | [284] | |
| CHAPTER XLII. | ||
| FLIGHT FROM THE SNAKES.—ATTACKED BY THE BUSHRANGERS. | [291] | |
| CHAPTER XLIII. | ||
| TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO BALLARAT, WITH THE BUSHRANGERS. | [299] | |
| CHAPTER XLIV. | ||
| THRASHING A BULLY. | [305] | |
| CHAPTER XLV. | ||
| A YOUNG GIRL'S ADVENTURES IN SEARCH OF HER LOVER. | [312] | |
| CHAPTER XLVI. | ||
| A MARRIAGE, AND AN ELOPEMENT. | [318] | |
| CHAPTER XLVII. | ||
| COLLECTING TAXES OF THE MINERS. | [326] | |
| CHAPTER XLVIII. | ||
| MURDEN AND STEEL SPRING ARRIVE FROM MELBOURNE. | [333] | |
| CHAPTER XLIX. | ||
| CATCHING A TARL AS WELL AS A CASSIOWARY. | [340] | |
| CHAPTER L. | ||
| ARRIVAL OF SMITH.—ATTEMPT TO BURN THE STORE. | [346] | |
| CHAPTER LI. | ||
| ATTEMPT TO BURN THE STORE. | [353] | |
| CHAPTER LII. | ||
| THE ATTEMPT TO MURDER MR. CRITCHET. | [359] | |
| CHAPTER LIII. | ||
| OPPORTUNE ARRIVAL OF MR. BROWN.—THEY SEND FOR STEEL SPRING. | [366] | |
| CHAPTER LIV. | ||
| THE WAY THE COLONISTS OBTAIN WIVES IN AUSTRALIA. | [372] | |
| CHAPTER LV. | ||
| ADVENTURES AT DAN BRIAN'S DRINKING-HOUSE. | [378] | |
| CHAPTER LVI. | ||
| ADVENTURES CONTINUED. | [383] | |
| CHAPTER LVII. | ||
| MORE OF THE SAME SORT. | [390] | |
| CHAPTER LVIII. | ||
| CONVALESCENCE OF MR. CRITCHET, AND OUR DISCHARGE FROM THE CRIMINAL DOCKET. | [398] | |
| CHAPTER LIX. | ||
| OUR TEAMSTER BARNEY, AND HIS WIFE. | [403] | |
| CHAPTER LX. | ||
| MIKE FINDS THE LARGE "NUGGET." | [410] | |
| CHAPTER LXI. | ||
| THE RESULT OF GROWING RICH TOO RAPIDLY. | [414] | |
| CHAPTER LXII. | ||
| THE FLOUR SPECULATION.—MR. CRITCHET'S STORY. | [419] | |
| CHAPTER LXIII. | ||
| THE SAME, CONTINUED. | [427] | |
| CHAPTER LXIV. | ||
| MR. BROWN'S DISCHARGE FROM THE POLICE FORCE.—BILL SWINTON'S CONFESSION. | [434] | |
| CHAPTER LXV. | ||
| THE EXPEDITION AFTER BILL SWINTON'S BURIED TREASURES. | [439] | |
| CHAPTER LXVI. | ||
| JOURNEY AFTER THE BURIED TREASURE. | [445] | |
| CHAPTER LXVII. | ||
| THE HUNT FOR THE BURIED TREASURE. | [451] | |
| CHAPTER LXVIII. | ||
| THE ISLAND GHOST.—NARROW ESCAPE OF MR. BROWN. | [456] | |
| CHAPTER LXIX. | ||
| CAPTURE OF THE GHOST. | [461] | |
| CHAPTER LXX. | ||
| THE GHOST AND THE BUSHRANGERS. | [468] | |
| CHAPTER LXXI. | ||
| SAM TYRELL AND THE GHOST. | [474] | |
| CHAPTER LXXII. | ||
| FINDING THE BURIED TREASURE. | [484] | |
| CHAPTER LXXIII. | ||
| THE ESCAPE FROM THE FIRE. | [490] | |
| CHAPTER LXXIV. | ||
| ARRIVAL AT MR. WRIGHT'S STATION. | [496] | |
| CHAPTER LXXV. | ||
| SUPPER.—RETURN OF MR. WRIGHT'S SCOUTS. | [501] | |
| CHAPTER LXXVI. | ||
| MIKE TUMBLES INTO THE RIVER.—ARRIVAL OF THE BUSHRANGERS. | [511] | |
| CHAPTER LXXVII. | ||
| CAPTURE OF THE BUSHRANGERS. | [517] | |
| CHAPTER LXXVIII. | ||
| PUNISHING THE BULLY. | [524] | |
| CHAPTER LXXIX. | ||
| MR. WRIGHT'S FARM.—DEATH OF KELLY. | [529] | |
| CHAPTER LXXX. | ||
| JOURNEY BACK TO BALLARAT. | [536] | |
| CHAPTER LXXXI. | ||
| STEEL SPRING IN THE FIELD.—ATTEMPT OF THE COMMISSIONER TO CONFISCATE OUR HORSES. | [542] | |
| CHAPTER LXXXII. | ||
| SAME CONTINUED.—DEATH OF ROSS. | [549] | |
| CHAPTER LXXXIII. | ||
| ARREST OF FRED.—TRIP TO MELBOURNE, AND ITS RESULTS. | [555] |
INTRODUCTION.
Since my return from Australia, I have been solicited by a number of friends to give them a history of my adventures in that land of gold, where kangaroos are supposed to be as plenty as natives, and jump ten times as far, and where natives are imagined to be continually lying in ambush for the purpose of making a hearty meal upon the bodies of those unfortunate travellers who venture far into the interior of the country—where bushrangers are continually hanging about camp fires, ready to cut the weasands of those who close their eyes for a moment—and lastly, where every other man that you meet is expected to be a convict, transported from the mother country for such petty crimes as forgery, house-breaking, and manslaughter in the second degree.
My friends have all desired to hear me relate these particulars, and have honored me with a large attendance at my rooms, and sat late at night, and drank my wine and water, and smoked my cigars, with a relish that did me great credit, as it showed that I am something of a connoisseur in the choice of such luxuries. And then they laughed so loudly at my jokes, no matter how poor they were, that, for a few days after my arrival home, I really thought the air of Australia had improved and sharpened my wit.
I should, no doubt, have continued feasting those who listened so patiently to my yarns, had not a sudden idea entered my head, one night, when the company were the most boisterous. I was in the act of raising a glass of wine to my mouth, when it occurred to me that before I left this country for Australia, via California, scarcely one of those present had assembled on the dock to bid me farewell.
I placed the untasted wine upon the table again, lighted a cigar, and was soon buried in smoke and reflection. I thought of the time when I had not money enough to pay my passage to the Golden State—of the exertions I had made to raise the amount necessary, and the many refusals that I had met with at the hands of those who now professed to be my friends.
I blew aside the smoke that enveloped my head, and fixed my eyes upon one red-faced cousin, who owned bank shares, and bought stocks when low, and sold them when a rise had taken place. He had laughed at me for my impertinence in supposing that he could loan me money, and now he was seated at my table, chuckling at my jokes, and swearing, while he helped himself to liquor, that I was the best fellow alive, and that there was nothing but what he would do for me.
Could it be possible that the possession of fifty or sixty thousand dollars had wrought such a change? I was forced to believe it, and I grew sad at the thought, and no more jokes escaped my lips that night; but the company remained as late as usual, and declared by a unanimous vote that they would meet again at the same place the next evening, and hear further particulars.
Before sunset the next day I had changed my apartments, and taken private lodgings with a friend who had visited me but once since my return, and had then refused to accept of the hospitalities that I was disposed to offer him. He had lent me money without security—he had declined taking interest for the same—he had welcomed me on my arrival as warmly as I expected—he did not ask me how much dust I had brought back and he never said a word about his wish to be repaid the few hundred dollars that he had advanced me when I left home to seek my fortune. When I did offer him the money, and thrust a diamond ring upon his finger as a token of my esteem, he blushed like a young school girl, and declared that he didn't deserve it.
At his house, then, I took up my abode; and while his family treat me with respect, they possess none of the fawning which characterizes my other friends. As the latter have frequently expressed their sorrow for my sudden removal, and their anxiety to know what events befell me in the mines of Australia, I have come to the conclusion that I would put them in print; and now those who used to drink my liquor and feast at my table will learn how I acquired my fortune, and then, if so disposed, they can follow in my footsteps and gain a competence for themselves.
This much I have told the reader in confidence, and with the hope that it will not be repeated, as my red-faced cousin, who every day is to be seen on 'Change, might be seriously angry if he was suspected of mercenary motives. With this introduction I will commence my narrative.