JOURNEY ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN-RANGE--WE MOUNT HIGHER AND HIGHER--I NEARLY
GIVE IN--REACH THE HIGHEST RIDGE--DESCEND BY A RUGGED VALLEY--
BENIGHTED--TAKE SHELTER IN A CAVERN--VISIT FROM DINGOS--DISCOVER A
PITCHER-PLANT--KILL A ROCK KANGAROO--JOURNEY CONTINUED FOR A MONTH--
POWDER AND SHOT EXPENDED--MUDGE SINGS TO KEEP UP OUR SPIRITS--FOUND BY A
SHEPHERD'S HUT-KEEPER--NIGHT AT THE HUT--ARRIVE AT CAPTAIN HUDSON'S
STATION--WELCOMED--HIS FATHER'S JOY AT HEARING THAT HARRY IS ALIVE--I
BECOME ILL--LILY'S FATHER--EXPEDITION UNDER HIM TO ASSIST OUR PARTY--
NURSED BY LILY--I RECOVER--ARRIVAL OF OUR PARTY--MY FATHER SETTLES NEAR
CAPTAIN HUDSON--MUDGE AND I LEAVE THE NAVY--WE BECOME PROSPEROUS
SETTLERS--CONCLUSION.
We had not as yet undergone any intolerable physical sufferings from
want of food or water since we landed in Australia; we had always found
sufficient water to drink, and an abundance of game. But as we trudged
on during the next day, we began to fear that our endurance might be put
to a severe trial. Our bottles were empty, our fresh animal food
exhausted; and we were afraid to eat the salt pemmican, for fear of
still further increasing the thirst from which we were suffering.
Wild, rocky ridges alone appeared before us, rising higher and higher.
Still we went on, cheered with the hope that we should soon reach the
highest ridge, and that then we might descend to a more fertile region.
Sometimes we had to make our way along the summit of precipices;
sometimes to descend into rocky valleys; and then, again, to mount up
rugged heights. Still, it was our belief that for the whole of the
distance a sure-footed steed would be able to make its way. We
ourselves might possibly have taken a shorter route; but even though
sore pressed we kept our main object steadily in view. We looked about
on every side for patches of verdure, a sure sign of the neighbourhood
of water; but we could see none to tempt us to swerve from our course.
"I suppose that the bushranger must have been making his way to the
northward, and had already passed over this barren region, when he
perished," observed Mudge. "Were it of any great extent, he would not
have attempted it; and I hope that before long we shall meet with water,
and some four-footed beasts or feathered fowl to afford us food."
"But how do you account for his powder-flask being empty?" I asked.
"He probably had gone to the south," answered Mudge; "and having made an
unsuccessful raid on some of the out-settlers, had been pursued and hard
pressed, and had taken to the mountains, in the hope of making his
escape, before he had been able to replenish his stock of ammunition.
Perhaps he intended to pay us another visit. However, conjectures on
the subject must be fruitless; only, it shows us that if he could get as
far as the place where he died, we, in good health and strength, may
hope to make our way over the ground, rough as it may be, till we can
find water and food."
We thus kept up our spirits with the anticipation of soon getting out of
our difficulty. Still, in the aspect of the country there was nothing
to encourage us. Except when we were traversing a gorge or narrow
valley, the air was pure and exhilarating, and gave strength to our
muscles; but they were pretty well tried, I must confess.
I was gratified by the remarks Mudge made to me. "You get on capitally,
Godfrey," he said. "I haven't heard a grumble come out of your mouth,
and you look cheerfully at the bright side of things. It is the best
plan for making your way through the world; of that I am convinced,
though I haven't always followed it. But stick you to it, lad. You
will, I hope, be actuated by a higher motive; that is, to put your trust
in God's love and mercy. Whatever occurs, he has promised to look after
those who honestly trust him. I say honestly, for he won't have any
half-and-half trust. I don't think we should expect that he will attend
to the cries of those who forget him when they think themselves safe and
prosperous, and only pray for help when they are in trouble. I have
often thought on that subject, and have tried to say my prayers all the
more heartily when things have been going smoothly and pleasantly with
me."
I agreed with Mudge, and told him that I would try to remember his
advice. We talked on this and on many other subjects when the ground
would allow of our walking abreast; but sometimes I had to walk behind
him, while he pioneered the way, and more frequently we could only think
of the road and the means of getting along it. There was, indeed, as
may be supposed, very little plain sailing; but then we had time enough
to talk when we were encamped.
We had seen a ridge before us which we hoped would prove the highest we
should have to cross, and that afterwards we should find ourselves
descending gradually into the plains to the southward. Our great aim
was to get over it some time before dark, so that we might gain a lower
level for camping; and, as we hoped, find water, even though we might
not succeed in killing any bird or beast for supper.
We had both become very silent; in truth, I found my tongue clinging to
the roof of my mouth, and a dry, painful sensation in the throat. I
observed a peculiar hollowness in Mudge's voice, too, and I was
conscious that my own also sounded unusual. Still it would not do to
give in, and we were not so far gone yet as to think of doing that. On,
therefore, we went, though not without suffering. My knees felt weak,
and I breathed with difficulty; but I would not tell Mudge this, lest it
should discourage him.
At length, however, I could hold out no longer. Suddenly, when twenty
yards or so behind Mudge--for I had lately lagged somewhat--I found
myself sinking to the ground, not far from the summit of a ridge at
which we had been aiming. He went on, not knowing what had happened; I
followed him with my eyes, though I could neither cry out nor move. He
reached the top, and looked eagerly out to the southward; then he took
off his hat and waved it, shouting out, "I see a fine open country
ahead."
His voice revived me, and getting on my feet, I tottered forward to join
him. He saw my weakness, and came to help me up to the top of the
ridge. I felt greatly revived at the knowledge that our chief
difficulty had been surmounted. Mudge stopped a little to consider the
path it would be most advisable to take down the mountain, and then
proposed proceeding. Looking at me, however, he saw that I was not able
to exert myself as usual.
"Let me carry your pack, Godfrey," he said; "it won't make much
difference to me, as most of the way will be down-hill, and it will
relieve you. I advise you also to munch a little biscuit and pemmican;
you'll get it down in time, though at first you may find it difficult to
swallow."
I declined; but he insisted that I should try, and taking out some of
the food, made me put it into my mouth.
"Perhaps our bottles may contain a little water, and that will help
you," he observed.
I shook my head, for I knew mine was empty. He looked at his, and found
half a cupful I believe that he had saved it for such an emergency. It
and the fresh air, and the knowledge that we might hope soon to be
better off than at present, had a magical effect, and I felt able to
continue the journey.
We went on and on, rapidly descending, till we reached the edge of a
precipice.
"This won't do," observed Mudge; "but we will keep along to the left,
where the ground slopes more than it does here, and perhaps we shall
reach a practicable valley."
He was not mistaken; and we soon found ourselves in a valley, which,
though stem and wild as those on the other side of the mountain, would
lead us, we hoped, into a more fertile region. Night rapidly
approached, however, while we were still surrounded by barren rocks, so
during the little time daylight remained we looked about to find a
sleeping-place.
We were expecting to be compelled to rest without any shelter, when
Mudge, who was a little way on up the side of the mountain, cried
out,--"Here is a cavern; it will shelter us, at all events, from the
cold wind and dew; though I am afraid we must go without a fire--or our
tea, seeing that we have no water to boil even if we could make one."
I followed him, and groping our way we found ourselves in a large arched
cavern in the slope of the mountain. It was apparently of no great
depth, but would afford us, at all events, ample accommodation; and we
accordingly crept in. We ate a little more pemmican and biscuit, though
I had the greatest difficulty in swallowing my share. We then, groping
about, discovered two soft places, beds of sand, a short distance apart.
Mudge chose one, and I lay down on the other.
"Go to sleep quickly, Godfrey," said Mudge; "it is the best thing you
can do; you'll find yourself stronger in the morning. We'll start at
daylight, and enjoy a capital breakfast--when we find it."
I did my best to follow his advice, and succeeded better than I could
have expected. I must have slept for a considerable time, when I awoke
with a start, and saw by the light of the moon, which streamed into the
cavern, Mudge sitting up with his pistols in his hands, and staring, as
I fancied, wildly before him.
"What's the matter?" I exclaimed, under the idea that he was still
asleep and fancied that he saw something terrible.
"Look there! look there!" he answered. "Can those be wolves, or
jackals, or hyenas? or what other prowling creatures of night are they,
with staring eyeballs, at the entrance of the cavern? Be prepared,
Godfrey; for I verily believe they are about to rush in and attack us."
I now distinguished in the gloom a dozen or more animals with fiery
eyes, as it seemed to me, staring fiercely at us. I say animals, though
I could only make out the heads of most of them; but one elevated on a
slight mound above the rest showed me what they were.
"I am very sure there are none of the animals you mention in this
country," I answered, more awake than Mudge. "I believe they are only
cowardly dingos; and a shout, or, at all events, a shot, would send them
to the right-about. Fire, and you'll see I am not mistaken," I shouted
at the top of my voice.
He discharged his pistol, the report of which echoed loudly through the
cavern; and, as I expected, the dingos--for such they were--instantly
turned tail and scampered away, uttering cur-like yelps, which left no
doubt as to their character.
"I believe I was half asleep," said Mudge, "or I should have known what
these yelping brutes were. They might have proved somewhat annoying had
they attacked us unawares; but I don't think they'll come back. In case
they should, I'll keep one eye open; but do you go to sleep again,
Godfrey--I am sorry you should have been disturbed."
I did not trouble myself much about the dingos, as I felt pretty sure
they would not attack human beings, and I very soon followed Mudge's
advice.
I cannot say, when I awoke in the morning, that I felt as rested as I
could have wished. My mouth was as dry as a dust-hole, and the
sensations in my throat were very distressing. However, I managed to
get on my feet; and the moment there was sufficient daylight to enable
us to see our way, we recommenced our descent.
As I walked on,--or I may say, stumbled on,--Mudge still insisting on
carrying my knapsack, we eagerly looked about for water; but though we
saw shrubs and even trees, not the most tiny streamlet could we
discover. I felt sure that I could not put anything into my mouth until
I had taken some liquid to moisten my parched throat; and Mudge
confessed that he felt much as I did, though his strength was less
impaired than mine. We had passed a number of trees, which we examined
eagerly in the hope of finding some juicy fruit, but in vain.
"What would I not give for a handful of strawberries or figs!" I could
not help exclaiming.
"I shouldn't object to a dozen ripe pears or apples," said Mudge; "but
none of these trees are likely to afford us what we want."
We were thus trying to keep up our spirits, for it was a hard matter to
do so, when my eye fell on a curiously-shaped tree. Growing on it was
what at first I thought was fruit, though of a remarkable form. Making
our way towards it, we discovered that what we took to be fruit were in
reality leaf-formed cups, some with lids, others open; and our joy can
be imagined when, on taking hold of one of them, some clear liquid ran
over the rim. I did not stop to consider whether it was real water; but
immediately putting the cup to my lips, I drained it to the bottom. How
deliciously cool and refreshing it tasted!--no water from the
fountain-head of the purest stream could have been more so--though it
had a somewhat sweetish taste.
Mudge followed my example; and between us we had drunk the contents of
several of these small cups, when he whispered, half to himself, "I
wonder whether it is really water, or something poisonous!"
"I am very sure that it is wholesome," I could not help answering; "it
would be ungrateful in us to doubt it. Providence has placed a tree in
this dry spot for the purpose of supplying man, and perhaps some of his
other creatures, with the chief necessary of life."
"Or perhaps it may be to nourish the tree," observed Mudge.
"That may be true; and both objects, as is often God's intention, are
thus answered," I remarked.
"Then let us sit down under it and be thankful; and now we'll eat some
pemmican and biscuit," exclaimed my companion, "and get a little
strength into our bodies."
We did so, and felt greatly refreshed; and before we again started we
drank some more cupfuls of the liquid. Near at hand we met with several
trees of the same description, to which we again applied. Indeed, I
felt that I could go on drinking all day without being satisfied.
Thoroughly recovered, we now looked about for birds, that we might have
a substantial supper at night. Suddenly we caught sight of a creature
which, startled by our approach, bounded out from behind a bush where it
was feeding. It was a kangaroo of tolerable size; but, unlike the large
kangaroos we had before seen, it went leaping away up the hill with as
much ease as they make their way along the plain. The appearance of the
animal at this spot showed that we were likely to see others, so, though
that one had escaped, we were not without hopes of having some meat for
dinner. We kept our eyes about us more vigilantly than ever. We saw
also a few birds, but they kept at a distance from us. Of course, had
we not been anxious to push on, we might have been able to get at them,
and might possibly also have got up with the kangaroo we first saw.
Trees of various descriptions now began to appear, and shrubs of large
size; among others were several nettle-trees, twenty feet in height at
least. There was no mistaking their leaves. Once before, though I had
forgotten to mention it, I had had my hands severely blistered by merely
touching them. Their power of injury, indeed, is proportionate to their
size.
We kept along the side of the hill, on the probability of starting
another kangaroo; resolved to chase it either up or down the slope,
should we fail to kill it at the first shot. We accordingly kept our
guns ready to fire; looking, as we walked along, for more
pitcher-plants, in case we should fail to find water.
We had gone on for some distance, and I was again beginning to feel
excessively thirsty, when we saw before us a valley, by following which
we hoped that we might reach the foot of the mountain-range. We were
making our way into it, when, just before us, another kangaroo started
up from the sunny spot where it had been basking, and looked round at
us, doubtful, apparently, which direction to take. We thought that it
would go up the hill; but instead of doing so, it came bounding towards
us. I felt sure that I should hit it, when suddenly it took a leap over
a precipice on our right. I immediately fired, and so did Mudge, but
not before the animal had taken its spring. In consequence, over the
precipice it went, and rolled down the steep slope towards the bottom of
the valley. Uncertain at first whether either of us had really hit it,
I handed my gun to Mudge, and looked out for a place where I could make
my descent. Scrambling down, I was not long in reaching the kangaroo.
The poor creature was still living, and tried to raise itself, as if
about to fight in its defence; but my knife soon put it out of pain.
Wishing to carry our prize to the spot on which we had been standing
when we shot it, as the place was convenient for camping, I dragged it
to the foot of the precipice, and fastened round it a long vine which I
found growing close at hand; with this, having climbed to the top of the
rock, I without difficulty hauled it up--just as Mudge, who had gone
round to assist me, came back.
The animal we had so fortunately killed was about four feet long,
including the tail; which was, however, very nearly half that length.
Its fur was of a purplish hue, warming into a rich rusty red towards the
tail. It had strong, powerful claws on its hinder feet, almost
concealed by the thick hair around them. We did not, however, stop long
to examine it, but, taking out our knives, quickly skinned and cut it
up. This done, we lost no time in collecting wood, lighting a fire, and
setting a joint to roast; while we toasted some thin slices to satisfy
the immediate cravings of our hunger.
As soon as we had done so, Mudge started to look for water, leaving me
to attend to the roast, and to watch that no hungry dingo carried off
our store of meat. "Depend upon it, that animal can't have lived
without water; and if its home is near here, water is not likely to be
far off," he observed. So, though it still wanted a couple of hours or
more to sunset, we were so weary that we agreed it would be wise to stop
where we were.
After I had seen that the meat was roasted, I employed myself, while
waiting for Mudge's return, in cutting some poles and collecting bark to
form our hut; keeping my eye, however, on the fire. It was fortunate
that I did so, for while I was cutting down a small tree, partly hid by
a bush, I caught sight of one of our canine visitors of the previous
night--or, at all events, an animal of the same species, the abominable
dingo--stealing cautiously towards the carcass of the kangaroo. I
sprang out, axe in hand, hoping that the intruder would await my coming.
He did so for an instant, unwilling to lose the feast he had expected
to enjoy; but just before I reached him he turned round and ran off
yelping, disappointed of his prey.
The animal was shaped like a common dog; was of a reddish-brown colour,
with a sharp muzzle, and ears short and erect, its tail pendent and
bushy, and its eyes small and cunning.
We afterwards had a great deal of trouble with these dingos, which are
clever creatures, hunting in packs, and committing fearful depredations
on the flocks of the settlers. To preserve our meat, I hung it up on
the bough of a small tree, at a height no dingo could reach; feeling
very sure that otherwise it would be carried off during the night.
I had begun to be somewhat anxious at Mudge's long absence, when at
length I heard his voice, singing as he came along; and presently he
climbed up to the plateau with both our bottles and the kettle he had
taken with him full of water.
"We may consider the difficult part of our journey over, and be
thankful," he said, as he got up to me. "A stream flows down the side
of the mountain, and instead of running towards the ocean, it takes, as
far as I could see, a due southerly course; so that we may travel along
its banks, and be sure not only of water, but of plenty of birds, which
are certain to frequent the locality during the morning and evening."
This was good news; and the ample supply of meat we enjoyed restored our
strength and raised our spirits. We washed it down with I don't know
how many cups of tea; which, though we had no milk, was not the less
enjoyable. To prevent any dingos from unpleasantly smelling at us
during the night, we fixed a number of sticks into the ground around our
sleeping-place, and before turning in made up as large a fire as we
could find fuel for. Its warmth, at that altitude, was pleasant, if not
absolutely necessary.
We had a capital breakfast the next morning off some more of the rock
kangaroo, and then packed up the more delicate portions to carry with
us. "Forward!" cried Mudge; and setting our faces down the valley, we
continued our course. We had still some hundred feet to descend, and
even then we were not on a level plain, as, when looking from the
mountain, we had supposed the country below us to be. The river on our
left went rushing and foaming onwards, showing that the descent it was
about to make was still considerable.
We were not disappointed in our expectations of finding abundance of
game as we travelled on by the side of the river, for three days or
more; after which it turned towards the eastward on its course to the
ocean.
After this we proceeded southward, crossing several rivers and numerous
streams. Most of the latter were fordable. We passed over the rivers
in canoes, such as I have before described. For a considerable distance
we had a lofty range of mountains on our right; and we had to make our
way over some of the smaller ranges, but with much less difficulty than
over the first we had crossed.
Perseveringly we trudged onwards, over table-lands and wide-extending
plains and across valleys. All these rivers, streams, mountains, hills,
plains, table-lands, and valleys have long since been named and
thoroughly explored; while towns and villages have sprung up on the
banks of the rivers, numerous flocks and herds are pastured on the
plains and downs, and thousands of industrious settlers people the
country. But in those days the black man, the kangaroo, the emu, and
the dingo ranged in unrestrained freedom over the land. If names there
were, they were such only as were given by the aboriginal inhabitants to
the regions they claimed as their own.
We frequently met with natives; but as we were always on our guard, and
avoided giving them offence, we were never annoyed by them. We fell in
with most of them while we were on the march, so that we proceeded
onwards and saw them no more; while the few who on rare occasions
visited us at our camp in the evening, were always friendly. When we
killed a kangaroo or emu, we gave as much of the meat as we could spare
to any of the black men who were near; and we always found that food was
the most acceptable gift we could bestow.
We had been nearly a month on our journey from the time we had left my
father's camp. That space of time may appear short to those who are
reading our adventures; but to us it seemed a long period, especially as
we felt deeply anxious to send relief to our friends, whose stock of
powder and shot might, we feared, be exhausted before we could return.
Mudge observed that my father would probably send back to obtain
supplies from the store we had left behind; but I reminded him that the
men who went could only carry enough for themselves, and that without
beasts of burden it would be impossible to relieve their wants in that
way, while it was very certain that the natives could not be induced to
act as carriers.
As yet we had met with no signs of civilised life; and as we had brought
no quadrant, we were unable to calculate, with anything like accuracy,
the number of miles we had performed each day. We could only guess,
therefore, how far off we were from the most northern settlements. Our
powder and shot, on which our very existence depended, was rapidly
diminishing; and should that become exhausted, we should be at the mercy
of the natives, and have to trust to them for supplying us with food, as
we had great doubts whether we could trap any birds or beasts.
Though we had occasionally picked a few wild fruits, the supply was very
uncertain, and we often had to go a considerable distance without
finding any. The most nourishing was a fruit larger than a Spanish
chestnut, and with a similar taste. It grew on a tree with beautiful
green and pinnated foliage, contrasting strikingly with the dark leaves
which give so sombre a hue to the Australian forests. We found three to
five seeds in pods of considerable size, growing solitary and pendent.
Had we been able to obtain a sufficient supply of these nuts, we might,
with the aid of the cabbage-palms, and the leaves of a species of sorrel
and other plants we met with, have been able to support existence on a
vegetable diet.
On examining our stores one evening, as we sat in our camp, we found
that we had between us not more than half-a-dozen charges of powder and
shot. We had still some pemmican, but our biscuit had long been
exhausted; and we had but a few pinches of tea, although we had for some
time been enjoying that refreshing beverage in a very diluted state.
"We must not despair," said Mudge,--"we have been preserved hitherto;
and we must trust to Him who has all along taken care of us, to enable
us to reach our journey's end in safety. We must husband our powder and
shot; we must live on pemmican and sorrel on alternate days, unless we
can make sure of hitting the game we meet with; and I trust that we
shall thus run no risk of starving, for a week to come."
The cheerful way in which Mudge spoke revived my spirits; and the next
morning we trudged courageously on, determined not to be daunted by
anticipated difficulties. Still, we were sorely tried when we missed
two kangaroos which we made sure of hitting. At length, having expended
several charges of powder and shot on as many small birds, we found, one
evening, that our ammunition had come to an end.
"Cheer up, Godfrey!" exclaimed Mudge, after I had been silent for some
time; "I'll sing you a song, to show you that I am still in good heart,
as you ought to be;" and he began trolling forth a sea-ditty which he
had often sung on festive occasions on board the _Heroine_.
He had got through three or four verses, when we were somewhat startled
by hearing an English hail. Soon after we had replied to it, having
sprung to our feet, a voice exclaimed, "Hallo, mates! where have you
dropped from?" and we saw emerging from the gloom the figure of a white
man, in the rough dress of a shepherd, with a gun in his hand and a
brace of pistols in his belt. As I caught sight of him, the thought
crossed my mind that he was a bushranger; but we rushed forward,
notwithstanding, without asking who or what he was, and grasped him by
the hand, when a few words sufficed to tell him what he wanted to know.
"And have we really got near the settlements?" asked Mudge eagerly.
"The nearest, I suppose, you would call a settlement, is not more than
about five miles away to the southward," answered the man; "but mine and
my mate's hut is less than a quarter of a mile off, and you will be
welcome there if you like to strike camp and come along with me. Our
tea-kettle is boiling, and the damper will be cooked by the time we get
there. I am the hut-keeper; and my mate, the shepherd, had just penned
the sheep and made all snug for the night, when I caught sight of the
glare of your fire. Says I to my mate, `It's some of them natives, and
they'll be trying to steal a sheep, or do some other mischief; at all
events, I'll go and see what they're about.' When I heard that jolly
song of yours, sir, I soon knew all was right, though I did wonder how
you came to be out here."
Mudge, who was perfectly satisfied that the man was what he represented
himself to be, at once accepted his invitation; and emptying our kettle,
we quickly slung that and our other traps on our backs, and prepared to
accompany the shepherd.
"Stay, mates, we'll put out the fire first," he said; "we don't know
where the sparks may be carried to if left alone: they might soon set
the whole country in a blaze."
Having taken this precaution, we walked briskly along with our new
friend. We soon reached a low shingle-roofed slab hut, from which a
couple of dogs issued, barking furiously on hearing the footsteps of
strangers. The hut-keeper's voice quickly silenced them, when they came
fawning up to him, licking even our hands when they discovered that we
were whites. Our companion ushered us into his hut, which consisted of
one smoke-begrimed room, containing a clay fireplace, two rough bunks in
the corner, and a table and couple of stools in the centre. The kettle
on the wood fire was bubbling and hissing merrily.
Our guide's "chum," as he called him, presently came in from the
sheepfold, and gave us a hearty welcome. He was as rough-looking as his
companion, but scarcely rougher than Mudge, with his unshaven beard, his
moustache, and long hair; and I, though I had not a beard and moustache
to boast of, must have looked pretty rough too.
Our hosts gave us the best they had: fresh damper, broiled mutton, and
tea. The captain, as they called their master, allowed no spirits, but,
they acknowledged, took good care that they were well supplied with
necessaries; and if we would stop another day they would give us
plum-pudding for dinner. We, of course, said that we were anxious to go
on to the station as soon as possible, that we might obtain horses to
return to our friends. The captain, they said, would give us every
assistance in his power. He had a herd of cattle, as well as sheep,
with several horses, though whether he would be able to spare the horses
they could not tell; but he would probably try and obtain them for us
from the next station, a dozen miles or so farther off.
We were still, we found, a hundred and fifty miles, at least, from
Sydney; so that, had not the settlers established stations to the
northward, we should have had a long journey to perform before we could
obtain assistance. They were more ready to hear the accounts we had to
give than to say anything about themselves; indeed, when once or twice
Mudge inquired how long they had been in the colony, and why they came
out, they made evasive answers, and turned the subject. They were, in
reality, convicts; assigned servants, who received no wages, but were
allowed thus much of liberty as long as they behaved themselves well.
As soon as supper was over, they advised us to turn in, observing that
they should have to be up before daybreak to breakfast, that the
shepherd might take his sheep at early dawn to their pasture, at some
distance from the hut. They offered us their bunks, but we declined;
for two reasons: one was, that they looked excessively black and dirty;
and the other, that, being long accustomed to sleep on the bare ground,
we would not turn them out of their beds. We accordingly lay down on
the floor, with our knapsacks as pillows, with a feeling of security
which we had not for long enjoyed; and knowing that one of the faithful
dogs was watching at the door, we were soon fast asleep. When I awoke,
I saw the hut-keeper kneading a damper, which he put under the ashes of
the already kindled fire. I need not say that I would rather not have
witnessed the operation.
I did not open my eyes again till he summoned us to breakfast, when we
were joined by the shepherd, who had gone out to see that his sheep were
safe. Our meal being quickly despatched, he bade us farewell and again
sallied forth, to let his sheep out of their pen; when the hut-keeper
asked us if we were inclined to stop a while, or go on to the captain's.
We, of course, expressed a wish to set off at once, and begged him to
show us the way.
"I can't go with you, as I have to help my chum to attend to some sick
sheep," he said, "and to look after the hut; but you can't mistake it if
you keep due south, over yonder rise with the three big trees at the top
of it, and then make for a stream you will see shining in the distance.
There's a bridge over it, which leads to the station."
The directions being sufficiently explicit, we set off without fear of
losing our way. A walk of rather more than an hour's duration brought
us in sight of the stream, with a plank-bridge thrown over it; on which,
as we got nearer, we saw two black men. They were not, however, such as
we had been accustomed to meet with, but were decently clothed.
Saluting us civilly in English with "Good morning, friends," they told
us that this was the station of which we were in search, and that if we
went on a little farther we should find the master, who would be glad to
see us.
Passing some huts, we soon saw before us a low, bungalow-looking
building, with a broad verandah. Directly afterwards there issued forth
a middle-aged gentleman, who advanced towards us. "Glad to see you, my
friends, wherever you come from," he said, putting out his hand. "You
look as if you had had a long tramp of it. I take it you are ready for
breakfast. Come in at once. We were just upon the point of sitting
down when I caught sight of you from the window."
"Thank you, sir," answered Mudge. "Your shepherds, at whose hut we
slept, gave us some breakfast; but we accept your hospitality, as, for
my part, I should be ready for a little more; and so, I dare say, will
my friend Rayner,--at all events, midshipmen have the credit of being
able to stow away two or three meals in succession without
inconvenience, and we have been on short allowance for some days past."
"What, are you naval officers?" exclaimed the captain, eyeing us
attentively. "I thought so from the way you spoke. However, come in.
You can tell me all about yourselves afterwards; it doesn't come up to
my notions of hospitality to bother strangers with questions before they
have eaten, and drunken, and rested themselves after their journey."
Saying this, our host led the way into a neat parlour, where two ladies
were seated at table; one evidently his wife, the other very young. I
looked from her to the elder lady, then, springing forward, I put out my
hand and exclaimed, "Mrs Hudson!"
She shook it with a look of surprise; then, turning round, I added,
"Captain Hudson, I am sure it is you, sir;" and looking at the young
lady, I said, "I don't know your name, but I remember you very well
indeed, and have never forgotten you since I was on board the
_Hopewell_, off the coast of Patagonia, two years ago."
After I had shaken Captain Hudson by the hand, the young lady, who had
risen from her chair, came forward to greet me, saying, "I remember the
midshipman who paid us a visit, but I should not have recognised you;
yes, yes--I remember your eyes and your features now;" and she smiled
very sweetly.
"I thought I had seen your face before," I heard Mudge saying, as
Captain Hudson was shaking him warmly by the hand.
Our host and hostess now pressed us to sit down to breakfast, but I
could scarcely eat anything for thinking of the information we had to
give them. A word whispered in my ear from Mudge--"Don't say anything
yet"--made me cautious, for he was too wise not to think that it would
be dangerous to communicate such joyful intelligence too suddenly, and
that it was important to break it to the captain first. We had a great
deal to tell about our adventures, however.
Captain Hudson then informed us that soon after we fell in with him the
ship had come across to Sydney, where, on account of Mrs Hudson's
health, he had given up the command, and determined to settle on shore.
Finding an acquaintance who happened to be in Sydney, and who wished to
give up this station, he came on here. "For though so far in advance of
the other settlers," continued Captain Hudson, "I was sure that, by the
proper management of my assigned servants, and by treating the blacks
judiciously, we should be as safe here as near other stations. I have
not been mistaken; and we have already succeeded in partly civilising
several young natives, who seem perfectly happy and contented, and are
ready to perform any light labour to which I put them."
When we told Captain Hudson that the object of our journey was to carry
assistance to our friends, he at once volunteered to do all in his power
to obtain horses, provisions, and trusty men to accompany us back.
"Though I cannot go myself," he said, "I have a friend in the
neighbourhood who will, I am sure, take great pleasure in accompanying
you, and in whom you may thoroughly rely, as few men have travelled more
in the wilds than he has, or are so well able to manage the natives."
I saw the young lady look up at Captain Hudson as he spoke, but what
that look betokened I could not then understand. All this time we were,
of course, burning to tell him that his son was alive; though, had he
known it, he could scarcely have been more anxious to send assistance to
our friends than he was already. It occurred to me, indeed, that, to
save him and Mrs Hudson the anxiety of waiting for Harry's arrival, it
might be better to say nothing about him. How dreadful it would be
should any accident have happened to him in the meantime, or should all
our party have perished! Not that we dared contemplate such a
contingency for two moments together. It did, however, when I felt at
all depressed, flash across my mind; but I put it from me as too
horrible to dwell on; besides which, it seemed like ingratitude to God,
who had so far protected us.
As soon as breakfast was over, I mentioned my idea to Mudge; but he
considered that we ought to tell the captain that we had found a white
boy among the savages, apparently of the age of his son--that he had
been long with us, and had become perfectly civilised, and, from his
amiable qualities, a great favourite. Captain Hudson might thus draw
his own conclusions.
The captain soon afterwards joined us, when Mudge cautiously introduced
the subject; notwithstanding which he was almost overcome with
agitation.
"We ought not to raise your hopes too high, sir," said Mudge; "but
still, neither Captain Bracewell nor any one on board the ship had any
doubts on the subject."
"How can I thank my merciful Father in heaven for his boundless kindness
to me!" exclaimed the captain. "I will carefully prepare my dear wife,
but in her delicate state of health it will require great caution; and I
must beg you, therefore, not to utter a word to any one else."
This, of course, we promised to do; and we were surprised at the
self-command which the captain afterwards exhibited in presence of Mrs
Hudson.
We had made inquiries about our ship, but she had not visited Sydney
before Captain Hudson had been last there, and he had heard nothing of
her. This satisfied Mudge that he was not in duty bound to go there to
look for her.
Captain Hudson, notwithstanding the agitation of his mind, observed our
tattered condition, and insisted on rigging us both out in new, strong
clothes suited for our object. These were put on after a thorough bath
in the stream hard by. Mudge also had got shaved by the captain's black
cook, an African who had accompanied him on shore, and who was barber,
sheep-shearer, tailor, carpenter, and I don't know how many other trades
besides.
Captain Hudson, in the meantime, had sent off to the friend he spoke of,
who soon afterwards arrived on horseback. He was a handsome,
middle-aged man, of a peculiarly grave and melancholy countenance, but
with a keen eye, and who appeared, by his bearing and manners, to have
been an officer. He at once, on hearing our account, agreed to
accompany us, and to organise an expedition to carry such provisions as
he thought would be necessary, with horses for the conveyance of my
mother and sister, as well as my father, and any of the rest of the
party who might be unable to walk.
I felt in high spirits, and perfectly ready to set off on the following
morning. Towards evening, however, I suddenly became very ill, when
Mrs Hudson insisted on my going to bed; and next morning I was utterly
unable to rise. But, of course, the expedition could not be delayed on
my account.
I was unconscious, so I was afterwards told, for some time; and when I
regained my senses I found that the party had long since started. My
fear was that while I had been in delirium I might have talked of Harry
Hudson, and I was thankful to find that such had not been the case.
Mrs Hudson watched over me with as much care as my own mother could
have done, and I often saw tears dropping from her eyes--when I knew
that she was thinking of her own boy, whom she supposed to have been
lost.
As I got better, Lily, for such was the name of the young lady--she was,
as I could not help telling her, a sweet white English Lily; not like
one of the Australian lilies, with grand blossoms of rich crimson, six
inches in diameter, growing on stalks twenty feet high--Lily was my
constant companion. Every day that I was in her company I admired her
more and more--but I must not talk about that just now. She was, I
suspected, the daughter of the leader of the expedition, who, for some
reason--not a dishonourable one--was compelled to live a secluded life
in Australia. Two more months passed away, when one afternoon a man on
horseback appeared, bringing the joyful intelligence that our party were
close at hand, and all well. I saw that Mrs Hudson was greatly
agitated, and I now knew that the captain had been gradually preparing
her for the appearance of their son.
It is beyond my power to describe the meeting; I know a great many of us
cried with joy, and I am not ashamed to say that I did so. My dear
mother and Edith had borne the journey well, though they had been hard
pressed for some weeks, and had become very anxious before the
appearance of the expedition sent to succour them.
Captain Hudson received our party with unbounded hospitality, having
prepared a residence for those who could not be received into his own
house. I was delighted to find that my father had arranged to take a
station within a few miles of that of Captain Hudson, who promised to
afford him that assistance which, as a new-comer, he of course greatly
required.
Mudge, who, as soon as he could communicate with England, made
arrangements for quitting the service, got a grant of land, and settled
near us. Being only a midshipman, I had simply to discharge myself,
without any other formality; as did Tommy Peck. The rest of the crew
were so enamoured of the country that they remained with us, and turned
stockmen; most of them becoming at length successful settlers.
Harry, of course, married Edith; and Lily became my wife. This event
happened a long time ago, and it might not increase the interest of my
readers if I were to say that it is long since our wives became
grandmothers.
We all flourished, as I am firmly convinced people will do who, seeking
guidance from above, act with due judgment and discretion, taking
advantage of the experience, as well as warning from the failure, of
others. We, of course, had those ups and downs which all settlers in
Australia must meet: dingos carried off our sheep, and the rot visited
them; the blacks were troublesome, and droughts and blights occurred;
bush-fires occasionally took place, and our wool brought lower prices
than we had hoped for. But, notwithstanding, in the long run we were
blessed with prosperity, and had ample reason to be thankful that we had
been preserved from the numerous dangers we had encountered, and that we
had been guided to the shores of Australia.