Produced by Gary Sandino from a scanned text kindly provided
by the Internet Archive (www.archive.org)
IN A NEW WORLD
AMONG THE GOLD-FIELDS OF AUSTRALIA
BY
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
AUTHOR OF "FACING THE WORLD," "DO AND DARE," "RAGGED DICK SERIES,"
"LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES," ETC.
PHILADELPHIA
PORTER & COATES
FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.
RAGGED DICK SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 6 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
RAGGED DICK.
FAME AND FORTUNE.
ROUGH AND READY.
MARK THE MATCH BOY.
BEN THE LUGGAGE BOY.
RUFUS AND ROSE.
TATTERED TOM SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
FIRST SERIES.
TATTERED TOM.
PAUL THE PEDDLER.
PHIL THE FIDDLER.
SLOW AND SURE.
TATTERED TOM SERIES. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES.
JULIUS.
THE YOUNG OUTLAW.
SAM'S CHANCE.
THE TELEGRAPH BOY.
CAMPAIGN SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols.
FRANK'S CAMPAIGN.
PAUL PRESCOTT'S CHARGE.
CHARLIE CODMAN'S CRUISE.
LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
FIRST SERIES.
LUCK AND PLUCK.
SINK OR SWIM.
STRONG AND STEADY.
STRIVE AND SUCCEED.
LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES.
TRY AND TRUST.
BOUND TO RISE.
RISEN FROM THE RANKS.
HERBERT CARTER'S LEGACY.
BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
BRAVE AND BOLD.
JACK'S WARD.
SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF.
WAIT AND HOPE.
PACIFIC SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo.
THE YOUNG ADVENTURER.
THE YOUNG MINER.
THE YOUNG EXPLORERS.
BEN'S NUGGET.
ATLANTIC SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols.
THE YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER.
DO AND DARE.
HECTOR'S INHERITANCE.
HELPING HIMSELF.
WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
BOB BURTON.
THE STORE BOY.
LUKE WALTON.
STRUGGLING UPWARD.
NEW WORLD SERIES. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth.
DIGGING FOR GOLD.
FACING THE WORLD.
IN A NEW WOULD.
_Other Volumes in Preparation._
COPYRIGHT, 1893, BY PORTER & COATES.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. OLD FRIENDS IN MELBOURNE, . . 1
II. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE, . . . 9
III. FLETCHER ACTS SUSPICIOUSLY, . . 18
IV. A TIMELY RESCUE, . . . . . 26
V. STARTING FOR THE MINES, . . . 31
VI. A NIGHT INCIDENT, . . . . . 40
VII. PARTING COMPANY, . . . . . 49
VIII. A VICTIM OF TREACHERY, . . . 58
IX. A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE, . . . 66
X. FLETCHER TURNS UP AGAIN, . . . 74
XI. TAKEN CAPTIVE, . . . . . . 83
XII. THE HOME OF THE BUSHRANGERS, . 91
XIII. A TRIAL AND ITS TRAGIC FINALE . 100
XIV. ELECTION OF A NEW CAPTAIN, . . 108
XV. LOST IN THE WOODS, . . . . . 118
XVI. THE SHEPHERD'S HUT, . . . . 125
XVII. A WELCOME IN THE WILDS, . . . 134
XVIII. A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE, . . 142
XIX. A RUFFIAN FOILED, . . . . . 151
XX. THE BOYS ARRIVE AT BENDIGO, . . 130
XXI. BUYING A CLAIM, . . . . . . 168
XXII. STRIKING LUCK, . . . . . . 177
XXIII. RAISING THE NUGGET, . . . . 186
XXIV. THE NUGGET IN DANGER, . . . . 194
XXV. THE MIDNIGHT ROBBERY, . . . . 202
XXVI. A THIEF'S EMBARRASSMENT, . . . 210
XXVII. BAFFLED CUPIDITY, . . . . . 219
XXVIII. THE NUGGET IN SAFETY, . . . . 227
XXIX. SELLING THE CLAIM, . . . . . 235
XXX. THE Two CONSPIRATORS, . . . . 244
XXXI. TAKEN CAPTIVE, . . . . . . 253
XXXII. OBED IN A TIGHT PLACE, . . . 262
XXXIII. THE TABLES ARE TURNED, . . . 271
XXXIV. FAREWELL TO MELBOURNE, . . . 279
XXXV. SOME OLD ACQUAINTANCES, . . . 288
XXXVI. A HEART-BROKEN RELATIVE, . . . 293
XXXVII. HOME AGAIN, . . . . . . . 300
XXXVIII. THE BOYS' SECURE POSITIONS, . . 307
XXXIX. CONCLUSION, . . . . . . . 314
IN A NEW WORLD.
CHAPTER I.
OLD FRIENDS IN MELBOURNE.
A stout gentleman of middle age and two boys were sitting in the public
room of a modest inn in Melbourne. The gentleman was known to the public
as Professor Hemmenway, who announced himself on the programme of his
entertainment as "The Magician of Madagascar," though he freely
confessed to his confidential friends that he had never seen the island
of that name.
The two boys were Harry Vane and Jack Pendleton, American boys of
sixteen. One had come to Australia as assistant to the professor, and
had been accustomed to sing one or two popular songs at the magical
entertainments which he gave, besides rendering himself generally
useful. Jack Pendleton was a young sailor, who had resolved to try his
fortune in the new country, either at the mines or in any other
employment offering fair compensation, before resuming his profession.
Harry and the professor had been passengers on board Jack's ship, and
the two boys had struck up an enduring friendship. The ship had been
wrecked, and they had spent some weeks together on an uninhabited
island, from which they were finally rescued, as related in a preceding
story, "Facing the World." It had been the professor's intention to give
a series of performances in Melbourne and other parts of Australia, but
the unexpected delay had led him to change his plans, and he now
proposed to return to America at once. Harry Vane, however, having no
near family ties, for he was an orphan, felt inclined to stay with Jack,
and try his luck for a time in the New World, which appealed strongly to
his imagination and youthful love of adventure. The day had arrived for
the professor's departure, and he and the two boys were waiting for the
lighter to take him down the Yarra Yarra River to the point of
embarkation, eight miles distant.
"Harry," said the professor kindly, "I don't like to leave you here. You
are only sixteen, and I feel that it is a great undertaking for you to
attempt to make a living so many thousand miles from your native land. I
shall feel anxious about you."
"I don't feel anxious about myself, professor," said Harry, with the
confidence natural to youth. "I am young and strong, and I mean to
succeed."
"But suppose you fall sick?"
"Then Jack will look out for me."
"You may be sure of that, Harry," said the young sailor, with a glance
of affection at Harry.
"You might both fall sick."
"Is it best to borrow trouble?" said Harry, smiling. "I think we shall
come out all right. But I am sorry you won't stay with us, professor."
Professor Hemmenway shook his head.
"I am three times your age, Harry," he said, "and am not as hopeful or
sanguine as you. Besides, I have a wife and children at home who are
already very anxious at my long silence; I did indeed mean to make a
professional tour of Australia, but the shipwreck, and those lonely
weeks on the island changed my plans. Henceforth I shall restrict myself
to America. I have a competence already, and can make an income at home
twice as large as my expenses. Why should I incur any risks?"
"I don't know but you are right, professor, but Jack and I are not so
fortunate. Neither of us has a competence, and our prospects are
probably better here than at home."
"Remember, Harry, that if you return I shall be glad to continue your
engagement and will even increase your salary."
Jack Pendleton fixed his eyes anxiously on Harry's face. He feared that
he would yield to the professor's persuasion, and leave him, but his
anxiety was soon removed.
"Thank you, professor," said Harry, "but I don't want to leave Jack. If
I return in bad luck, I may look you up and see whether the offer still
holds good."
"Do so. You will always find a friend in me. But that reminds me, Harry,
of an important consideration. If you are to remain here, you will want
some money."
"I have sixty dollars which I have saved up in your service."
"And how much have you, Jack?"
The young sailor colored, and looked a little uneasy.
"I have only ten dollars," he answered.
"That is, we have seventy dollars between us, Jack," said Harry
promptly.
"That is too little," said the professor, shaking his head. "You must
let me be your banker."
"On one condition, professor, with thanks for your kindness."
"What is that?"
"A gentleman at home, Mr. Thomas Conway, President of the Craven County
Railroad, has charge of two hundred and fifty dollars belonging to me. I
was fortunate enough to save a railroad train from destruction, and this
is the money the passengers raised for me. I will give you an order on
him for the amount of your loan."
"That is unnecessary, Harry; I am willing to wait till your return to
America."
"Something might happen to me, professor, and I shall feel more
comfortable to think that my debts are paid."
"Have your own way, then, Harry. Shall I give you the whole amount?"
"No, professor, I am afraid it would make me less enterprising."
"How much shall it be?"
"Jack and I have seventy dollars between us. A hundred more ought to be
sufficient."
"As you please, Harry, but if you get into trouble, promise to
communicate with me, and send for assistance."
"I will, sir."
At this moment a carriage drew up in front of the inn.
"It is the carriage I ordered to take me to the lighter," said the
professor. "You and Jack must go with me to the ship and see the last of
me."
"With great pleasure, sir. Come along, Jack."
The hackman put the professor's trunk aboard the carriage, and they set
out for the banks of the river. It was a new trunk, bought in Melbourne,
for the professor's trunk and clothing had been lost at the time of the
shipwreck. His first care had been to get a complete outfit in
Melbourne, and he was now as well provided as when he left New York.
The two boys found the trip down the river a pleasant one. The trip by
land would have been considerably shorter, but the professor preferred
the river. The distance to the mouth is nine miles. Vessels would be
able to ascend the river but for two bars which obstruct its course. The
city of Melbourne is situated chiefly on the north bank, and is at
present a handsomely built and prosperous town of about five hundred
thousand inhabitants. At the time of Harry's arrival it had less than
half that number. The country bordering the river is not particularly
inviting, but it was new, and the two boys regarded it with interest.
The soil was barren and sandy, and the trees, which were numerous, were
eucalyptus or gum trees, which do not require a rich soil, but grow with
great rapidity on sterile soil.
"What peculiar leaves?" said Harry, "they look like leather."
"True," said the professor, "and you notice that instead of having one
surface toward the sky and the other toward the earth they are placed
edgewise."
Soon they reached the mouth of the river, and there, just beyond the
bar, rode the good ship _Arcturus_, on which the professor was to sail
for Boston. His baggage was hoisted on board, and then the professor
himself followed.
"Will you come on board, boys?" he asked.
"No, sir; we will go back by the lighter."
"Then good-by, and God bless you and bring you good luck."
Harry could not help feeling sober as he bade farewell to his good
friend, the professor.
"I have only you now, Jack," he said. "I don't know what lies before us,
but we must stick fast to each other in sunshine and in storm."
Jack's only answer was to seize Harry's hand and press it warmly.
Nothing more was needed.