When we were brought before the beak
Jonathan told our story, and showed several letters he had received
from Boston, so he was discharged. But I had nothing to show; they
knew I was an Irishman, and the police asked for a remand to prove
that I was a runaway convict. I was kept three weeks in gaol, and
every time I was brought to court Jonathan was there. He said he
would not go away without me. The police could find out nothing
against me, so, at last, they let me go. We went aboard the first
vessel bound for Melbourne, and, when sail was made, I went up to the
cross-trees and cursed Van Diemen's Land as long as I could see it.
Jonathan took ship for the States, but I went shepherding, and grew
so lazy that if my stick dropped to the ground I wouldn't bend my
back to pick it up. But when I heard of the diggings, I woke up,
humped my swag, and ran away--I was always man enough for that--
and I don't intend to shepherd again."
When Philip returned from his excursion down the gully, he gave me a
detailed report of the results and said, "Gold mining is remarkable
for two things, one certain, the other uncertain. The certain thing
is labour, the uncertain thing is gold." This information staggered
me, so I replied, "Those two things will have to wait till morning.
Let us boil the billy." Our spirits were not very high when we began
work next day.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138