We arrived near the Avoca diggings late in the afternoon. Seeing a good
spot for pitching a tent, my companion stopped, and proposed that we
should go no further: as that place was exactly suited to his mind.
"All right," said I. "If it suits you--you had better stay there."
While the digger was disencumbering himself of his load, I walked on. I
did so, because my travelling companion was a man whose acquaintance I
did not care to cultivate any further. I did not take the trouble to
satisfy myself of any reason for leaving him in this unceremonious
manner. I only knew that I did not like his society; and, therefore,
did not desire to pitch my tent near him--lest I might have more of it.
My principle objection to remaining with the man was this. I had formed
an idea, that nothing was to be gained from him--neither knowledge,
amusement, friendship, money, nor anything else--unless, perhaps, it
might have been, a worse opinion of mankind; and this of itself, was
just ground for my giving him the good-bye.
After going a little farther on, I pitched my tent in a place I made
choice for myself.
Next morning I walked forth, to have a look at the new gold-field.
There are not many spectacles more interesting to the miner, than that
termed a "rush" to a gold-field newly discovered, and reported to be
"rich."
The scene is one of the greatest excitement. On the ground to which the
"rush" is directed, all the vices and amusements to be met with in large
cities, soon make their appearance. Where, perhaps, a month before, not
a human being could have been seen, taverns, with magnificent interior
decorations, billiard-rooms, bowling-alleys, rifle-galleries, theatres,
and dancing-saloons, will be erected; in short, a city, where, but a few
weeks ago, there was nothing but the "howling" wilderness!
On my arrival at the Avoca diggings, I marked out a "claim," and for
several days my occupation was that of "shepherding" it.
To "shepherd a claim," is to keep possession of, and merely retain it--
until, by the working of other claims near, a tolerably correct opinion
may be formed: as to whether yours will be worth digging or not.
The system of shepherding claims, is only practised where the gold lies
some distance below the surface; and where the claim can only be
prospected at the expense of some money and trouble.
The claim I had marked out, was a large one--larger in extent than one
person was entitled to hold. For this reason, on the third day, after I
had taken possession of it, another man bespoke a share in it along with
me.
I did not like the look of this man; and would have objected to working
with him; but he would not consent to divide the ground; and the only
way I could get clear of him was, to yield up the claim altogether.
This I did not wish to do: for it stood, or rather "lay," in a good
position for being "on the lead."
I have said that I did not like the look of the intruder. This dislike
to him arose, from the circumstance of his having a strong "Vandemonian
expression" of countenance; and I had a great prejudice against those
who, in the colonies, are called "old lags."
We "shepherded" the claim together for a few days, when the prospect of
its being on the lead, became so fair, that we at length commenced
sinking a shaft.
The more I saw of my companion, while we were toiling together, the
weaker grew my aversion to him; until, at length, I began to entertain
for him a certain feeling of respect. This increased, as we became
better acquainted.
I learnt that he was not from Tasmania, but from New South Wales; and my
prejudice against the "Sydneyites" was even stronger (having been formed
in California,) than against the "old hands" from Van Dieman's Land.
The "Vandemonians," generally speaking, have some good traits about
them, that are seldom met amongst those from the "Sydney side." The
convicts from the former place, have more generosity in their
wickedness, less disposition to turn approvers on their companions in
crime, while at the same time, they display more manliness and daring in
their misdeeds, than do the "Sydney birds."
One would think, there could not be much difference between the
criminals of the two colonies: since both originally come from the same
school; but the characteristics distinguishing classes of
_transportees_, change with the circumstances into which they may be
thrown.
My new partner proved to be like few of the "downey coves" I had
encountered in the diggings: for I found in him, a man possessing many
good principles, from which he could not be easily tempted to depart.
He did not deny having been a convict, though, on the other hand--unlike
most of his class--he never boasted of it.
"Drinks all round," can usually be won from an old convict in the
following manner:--
Offer to lay a wager, that you can tell for what crime he had been
transported; and as his own word is generally the only evidence to be
obtained for deciding the wager, ten to one it will be accepted. Tell
him then: that he was "lagged for poaching," and he will immediately
acknowledge that he has lost, and cheerfully pay for the "drinks all
round."
This game could not have been played with the subject of my sketch:
since he freely acknowledged the crime for which he had been
transported: it was for killing a policeman.
One evening, as we sate in our tent, he related to me the story of his
life; but, before giving it to my readers, I must treat them to a little
explanation.
This narrative is entitled the "Adventures of a Rolling Stone," and such
being its title, there may be a complaint of its inappropriateness:
because it also details the adventures of others. But part of the
occupation of the hero, has been to observe what was going on around
him; and, therefore, a faithful account, not only of what he did, but
what he saw and heard--or in any way learnt--should be included in a
true narrative of his adventures. Hearing a man relate the particulars
of his past life, was to the "Rolling Stone," an event in his own
history; and, therefore, has he recorded it.
The reality of what is here written may be doubted; and the question
will be asked:--how it was, that nearly every man who came in contact
with the "Rolling Stone," had a history to relate, and also related it?