After we had completed the working of our claim in the Avoca lead, my
partner--who had told me that his name was Brown--signified his
intention of returning home to England.
"I have saved between three and four hundred pounds," said he, "and
shouldn't know what to do with it here. I've been thinking of going
home for several years past; and now's the time to do it."
Instead of attempting to dissuade him, I rather encouraged him in his
design, telling him that, if dissatisfied with his visit to his native
country, he could return to the diggings--before they should get
worked-out--and try his fortune once more.
He had heard me speak of going myself back to England some time or
other; and he urged me to make the voyage along with him.
I should probably have acceded to his request,--had he not pressed me so
strongly; but I have a great aversion to doing anything, that I am
vehemently solicited to do.
If there is anything which will make me do the very thing I know to be
wrong, it is when some one counsels me too pressingly _against_ doing
it. I have a great _penchant_ for being guided by my own judgment; and
I believe that very little good is done by giving advice, to those who
are old enough to think and act for themselves.
In answer to my partner's request, I told him that I should probably
return to England in about a year; but was not then ready to go.
Though a little disappointed at my not accompanying him, Brown and I
parted on good terms. He left full directions with me for finding him
in Birmingham--should I ever go to that city; and warmly urged upon me
to call and see him. I gave him a promise to do so.
"I believe you are a respectable, right-thinking man," said he, as we
shook hands at parting; "you have treated me, as though I was the same;
and that's more than I have been accustomed to for the last score of
years."
On leaving me, Brown proceeded direct to Melbourne, where he took ship
for England.
For two or three days after he had left me, I looked about the
diggings--undecided what I should next do.
One afternoon, while sauntering at a little distance, from my tent, I
saw some policemen, with a squad of mounted troopers, out on the patrol.
A "licensing commissioner" at their head, proved that they were looking
for "unlicenced" miners.
I never went abroad without a miner's licence in my pocket; but I felt a
strong dislike to showing it--solely on account of the manner, in which
the demand to do so was usually made.
I shall have something to say about "licence-hunting" in another
chapter--where the subject will be introduced, and more fully discussed.
My present purpose is to relate a little adventure which occurred to me
at Avoca--of which the licence-hunters were the heroes. It was this
episode, that first awakened within my mind some thoughts about the
infamous system of drawing a revenue, from the most honest and
industrious portion of the population.
It is usual for diggers--who are not provided with a licence--on seeing
the police out upon their scouting excursions, either to take to the
bush, or hide themselves in the shaft, or tunnel, of some mining claim.
This is done to avoid being searched; and, as a matter of course,
carried before a magistrate, and fined five pounds for--_trespassing on
the Crown lands_!
On the occasion in question, when I saw the licence-hunters out on their
usual errand, it came into my head to have a little amusement with them.
I had been going idle for two or three days, and wanted something to
amuse me--as well as give exercise to my limbs.
When the policemen had got within about a hundred yards of where I was
standing, I pretended to see them for the first time; and started off at
a run. They saw me, as I intended they should; and two or three of them
gave chase--under the full belief that I was an unlicenced digger. They
that first followed me were afoot; and they soon learnt that the farther
they pursued, the greater became the distance between them and me. Two
of the mounted troopers now left the side of the Commissioner; and
joined in the chase--spurring their horses into a gallop.
I was running in the direction of my own tent; and contrived to reach
it, before the troopers overtook me.
By the time they had got up to the tent, I was standing in the opening
of the canvass; and received them by demanding their business.
"We wish to see your licence," said one.
I took from my pocket the piece of paper, legally authorising me to
"search for, dig, and remove gold from the crown lands of the colony."
I handed it to the trooper.