“Then we can’t walk?”
“No; the custom is to charter a cart, drawn by oxen, which will give a chance to carry a stock of provisions. The roads are not very well marked, and are often impassable.”
This description rather discouraged Jack, who was more used to the sea and its dangers than to land travel.
“I wish we could go by water,” he said.
“So do I, Jack, but unfortunately Bendigo happens to be inland. However, you’ve got good stout legs, and can get along as well as the thousands that do go. Besides, it will give us a fine chance to see the country.”
“Ye-es,” said Jack doubtfully, for he had very little of the traveller’s curiosity that prompts so many to visit strange lands.
“There’s another difficulty besides the mud,” continued Harry thoughtfully.
“What’s that?”
“The bushrangers.”
“Who are they?”