THE EXPLORERS RUN SHORT OF POWDER--SCANTY FARE--CAMPED AT NIGHT--
CONTINUE JOURNEY--BENDIGO OBTAINS HONEY.
Two days had passed away; the young explorers made good progress. They
now discovered, what caused them some anxiety, that they were running
short of ammunition. Without it they would have a difficulty in
obtaining food, although Bendigo and Bruce might help them. It was
absolutely necessary to retain sufficient powder to protect themselves
should they encounter any hostile blacks. Paul insisted that they
should not fire another shot, except to kill a kangaroo or emu; at the
same time, he did not wish to confess to Bendigo the small amount of
ammunition they possessed. They had thus been for some time on short
commons, and were beginning to feel the effects of scanty fare. Bendigo
trapped several creatures, now and then catching a 'possum in its hole,
or an iguana. Occasionally he found eggs where they themselves would
not have discovered them. Had they been able to preserve the animals
they caught they might have subsisted very well; but after a few hours,
even though the meat was cooked, it became uneatable, and they were
obliged to give it to Bendigo or Bruce, who were not so particular.
They had been very unsuccessful all day, and had made a long march, when
they encamped somewhat earlier than usual near a water-hole. They were
fully aware of the risk they ran when selecting such a spot of a visit
from the blacks; but they hoped, by keeping a good watch, not to be
surprised by them. They knew that their chief danger would arise should
they not be prepared; for when the natives see white men on their guard,
they will seldom venture to attack them. The fire had been lighted,
but, excepting a 'possum and a few small eggs, and a little damper, they
had nothing to eat. They had, however, a good supply of tea, the most
welcome of beverages, the only one which can be taken with impunity
under all circumstances.
An hour or more after dark was spent in talking over the prospects of
their journey. In three or four days more they hoped to meet the
captain's party.
Bendigo and Paul, accompanied by Bruce, having made a circuit of the
camp, to be sure that no natives were lurking near, the whole party lay
down to rest.
For the first time during their expedition, the following morning they
started without breakfast, except a draught of cold water.
"I hope we shall find something during the day," said Harry. "This sort
of work doesn't tend to keep up a fellow's spirits, and we shall be
inclined to give a less favourable report of the country than it
deserves."
As they rode along they carefully observed the character of the trees
and soil over which they were passing. The grass was thicker and
greener than they had anywhere seen it. Of course they kept an anxious
lookout for game. They caught sight of kangaroos, wallabies, and other
small animals in considerable numbers, but were unable to catch them, or
even get near enough to shoot one.
Reggy now began to cry out bitterly for food.
"People told us that this land, was one flowing with milk and honey; we
have had none of either since we started on this expedition," he
exclaimed.
Just as he said this they observed Bendigo watching something in the
air, and, urging on his horse, he started off ahead of them towards a
large tree, beyond which they caught sight of the glitter of water.
Near it were some trees with wide-spreading boughs, intertwined by
numbers of the never-failing vine. Here was just the place they wanted.
Bendigo, knowing that they would camp there, dismounted, and hobbled his
horse. They then saw him narrowly examining a tall gum-tree, up to
which he had ridden. It must have been a hundred feet in height before
any branches were reached.
"If he sees anything up there it will be of little use," observed Reggy,
"for I am sure he will never get it."
"Stay a minute," answered Harry; "the black knows what he is about."
Bendigo, without explaining his object, cut some long vines; he then
rapidly plaited, from the grass growing near, a rough basket, which he
fastened to his belt. Taking the vines, he now twisted them in the form
of a hoop round the tree, leaving sufficient space to admit his own body
between the trunk and the hoop; holding the hoop in both hands, he
jerked the side furthest from himself upwards. He then cut with his
hatchet a notch for his feet, and then gave another jerk, and cut
another notch, and thus up he went until he reached the branch.
The boys had never seen their black companion perform this feat before,
and felt no little fear that he might slip down. It was wonderful with
what rapidity he went up, evidently feeling himself perfectly secure.
In a few minutes he returned, having cut a large comb of honey out of a
hole high up in the tree, the owners of which were seen hovering about
their rifled abode. Having descended, he handed his prize to Paul, who,
placing it on a slip of bark, which served as a dish, served it on
leaves to his companions, with whom he shared it.
Without waiting to be complimented for his performance, of which he
seemed to think nothing, the black again started off, and ascended
another tree, towards which his quick eye had detected some bees flying.
The young explorers, who had eaten nothing for some hours, set to with a
will, and quickly devoured the first comb, wax and all, being ready for
the second, which Bendigo soon brought them. He again came back with a
third, which, however, they could not attack, so he ate the greater
portion himself, giving the remainder to Bruce, who gobbled it up with
evident satisfaction.
"Plenty of food now," said Bendigo, as he led his companions from tree
to tree, some of which were oaks, and others honeysuckles. Wherever
there was a hole in the trunk it was occupied by a colony of bees. The
insect which makes this honey is exactly like a common house-fly in
appearance, the combs being generally small and the wax quite black.
The cells into which the comb is divided are two or three times larger
than those of the English bee, and are roundish and irregular in shape,
but the honey is very good, being sweet, and having besides a slight
pleasantly acid taste. As these bees possessed no sting, they could be
robbed with impunity of the result of their industry. Since that time
English bees have swarmed in prodigious numbers over the country, and
now afford ample food to whites and blacks alike.
"While we can get this honey there is no fear of starving," observed
Paul.