Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-03-20

that showed him TO be the reverse of a
quiet and respectable man.
SIN due time we arrived at Mel
bourne. 1t was then mere collection
OF wooden houses, and hastily thrown
up shanties, and was peopled by repre-
sentatives from nearly all civilized ma
tions on the face of the earth. twenty
of us formed party, bought some
tools, and proceeded to the diggings on
foot. Arriving there, We bought
claims and set to work to unearth the
long-talked of gold. My chum was a
steady-going fellow, called Sandy, a
Scotchman. We dug shaft, hauled
up the gold bearing earth, and washed
it in large box with plates full OF
holes. The water washed away the
earth, leaving the gold i'm the form Of
nuggets and dust on the plates. For
week or so we found little or nothing
and my golden dreams began to wane.
Then one morning, Sandy gave shout
of joy, and. hastily ascending the shaft,
| saw in the cradle several nuggets of
pure gold. l was half mad with de-
light, and tor the rest of the day |
worked with the energy of two men.
Before nightfall We bad more than 20
ounces of small nuggets and dust. We
stitched it up in small canvas bags, and
hid it for safety in the floor of the tent.
We went on in this way for months,
then our claim began to give out.
''Just about this time a convoy was
going to Melbourne to take some gold
10 the bank there. We therefore
agreed to send some of ours to be de-
posted in the bank, and get notes in
exchange. When We got to the place
of starting, l was surprised TO see
among the mounted troopers forming
the escort, my shock-headed fellow
yoyager. | mentioned my distrust of
him TO my chum; and, in consequence,
we only sent half of the intended
quantity. The fellow evidently knew
distrusted him, for when | went up
with our parcel, he gave me malicious
look that boded me no good. The es-
cort numbered about ten or fifteen well
armed troopers, with a four-horse wa
gon, and they left early in the morn
ing for their destination. We gave
them three ringing cheers at the boun-
diaries of the camp, and wished them 4
safe return. | had a singular forebo-
ding that had seen the last of my
gold, bus mentioned my fears to none
but my chum.
''The day following / went to Mat
Durn's drinking hut-a place frequent
ed by the lucky finders and loafers-
TO hear the days news. The saloon
was full of diggers, etc. Some were
discussing the days finds; others We're
playing poker, the stakes being mug
gets or dust; the majority were stand
ing at the bar drinking and smoking.
| called for a drink, filled the short
cutty, and took seat among the card
players.
"Well, Tom, how's your luck:'' said
Il " ho
had come over with me.
every poor at present" | replied.
octave a hand then, man; winning
dust at poker is better than digging. >"
81 joined the game, and played for
while At last one OF the players
threw up his hand, and said he was
cleaned out; so, thinking ii might be
my turn soon, stopped. | finished
my glass and prepared to leave the
room. Just as l got to the door "A burly
digger came rushing in, almost upset
ting me, and uttering the most fright
full oaths. The entire saloon was in an
uproar in an instant. RevOlvers and
knives were drawn, and dozen voices
shouted out, What is the matter?"
Matter enough y" replied the in
vading digger, with another volley of
expletives. The escorts been attacked
and the Colds gone'
"Words fail to describe the scene that
ensued. Men swore, tore their hair,
danced and raved like madmen. When
the tumult had somewhat sCbsided, |
managed to make out that the wagon
had been attacked in the dead of night,
by a party of armed rangers. a fight
had taken place, but trooper had
been killed, and the gold had been
taken. The attack had evidently been
pre-arranged, for half of the troopers
had been found drugged, and were
consequently unable to fight. Three of
them were reported Missing, Mapping
Bill amongst the number. | went off
to our tent and told Sandy. '"fou're
right about the villain, but we'll be
even with him yet
"We went back to the saloon, where
we found nearly all the diggers assem-
bled, listening to an account of the af-
fair from one of the troopers. 1t ap-
peared that shortly after leaving the
camp the axletree of the wagon broke,
necessitating stoppage. Night came
on. and found them still delayed by the
broken wagon. Rain fell, and some of
the troopers took little spirits to keep
out the cold. About midnight, the
troopers who were acting as sentries
were alarmed by the rush of half-a-
dozen mounted bushrangers. They
endeayored to wake up the others, but
they were OverpOwered. and fastened
to the trees. The contents of the wagon
81 ar6