I don't
care a tinker's curse for you or the law; all I want is the profits,
and I'm going to have them."
This profane outlaw and his mate got the profits, cleared all the
gold out of Peter's claim, and took it away with them.
It was reported in Melbourne that there was no law or order at
Turton's Creek; that the diggers were treating the mining statutes
and regulations with contempt; that the gold went to the strong, and
the weakest went to the wall. Therefore, six of the biggest
policemen in Melbourne were selected, stretched out, and measured in
Russell Street barracks, and were then ordered to proceed to Turton's
Creek and vindicate the majesty of the law. They landed from the
steamer on the wharf at Port Albert, and, being armed with carbines
and revolvers, looked very formidable. They proceeded on their
journey in the direction of Foster, and it was afterwards reported
that they arrived at Turton's Creek, and finding everybody quiet and
peaceable, they came back again, bringing with them neither jumpers
nor criminals. It was said, however, that they never went any
further than the commencement of the ditch. They would naturally, on
viewing it, turn aside and camp, to recruit their energies and
discuss the situation. Although they were big constables, it did not
follow they were big fools. They said the Government ought to have
asphalted the ditch for them.
Pages:
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421