“That certainly wasn’t bad fortune.”
“It was extraordinarily good fortune, and naturally drew the attention of the rest of the camp. This was unfortunate, for in such a settlement, as may well be supposed, there are many reckless adventurers, ex-convicts, and men utterly destitute of principle.”
“Then you were robbed at the camp?”
“Not then nor there. I took the precaution to send the greater part of my money to Melbourne by experts. Destitute and lost, I have six hundred pounds in Melbourne awaiting my arrival; but for all that, I should probably have starved to death but for my opportune meeting with you.”
“Come, then, you’ve got something to live for after all,” said Obed.
“Yes, you are right. Let me once get to Melbourne and I am all right. I shall buy a passage ticket to Liverpool, and carry with me the balance of my money. With all that I have lost I shall go home richer than I came.”
“But how did you lose your money?” asked Jack who was eager to have his curiosity gratified.
“When I got ready to leave the goldfields, there was no party which I could join. I did not like to go alone. In this emergency a man who had been working an adjoining claim offered to go with me. I saw no reason to distrust him, and accepted his proposal. All went pleasantly for three days, but on the morning of the fourth day when I awoke I found myself alone. A little startled, I felt for my gold, which I carried in a belt around my waist. It was gone, and so was my horse. Of course you guess how it happened. My companion had robbed me during the night, and left me in the woods utterly destitute.”
“What was the name of your companion?” asked Obed quickly.
“He called himself Fletcher.”