Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-12
Gales aud Sketfhfs.
PLAYING FOB HIGH STAKES.
An AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE.
Continued from yesterday. J

Continued from yesterday
This reception. which was accompanied
by liberal comminglement of oaths, was
not very pleasant or very hospitable; but
nv nerves were good. and l was prepared
for roughing it. Tom, old man," l
said. put that thing down it might go
off,"
.sWho SAID my name was Tom ?"
II do. cid boy-Tom Toke; and want
to have yarn with you"
NO warns for me! Hook it, or you'll
have bullet in sooner than you think for,
fash un."
II sha'n't, until have had pannikin
of tea. So fire away, only don't hit me.
The moon by this time enabled US to
ace each others movements clearly. l
quietly dismounted, and holding up my
hands, said: "Now. don't be a fool,
Tom. You can see | have no shooting
iron 80 put that thing down" Then walk
ing up to him, said: Now look here.
Ii you are not satisfied. you can feel. and
vou will find have got no pistol or other
arms about me; so drop all this fuss
By Jove, here's some cold tea" and
without any ceremony, took up his dirty
billy" and putting it to my mouth. drank
every uTOp VI IL Wltuout StoPPih5, Aoi =
was terribly dry
Tom was utterly taken back. Looking
me up and down. while he replaced the
revolver in his belt. he said: MY eyes /.
if you're not the coolest one l ever seed. y"
Looking into his mid-nlia, | saw very
dirty looking blanket. Touching this with
nv foot, said: 81 say, Tom, surely you
have got some more blankets, because
haven't one and if that is all you have,
why. we shall have to pig it together. for
intend to have half of it,"
This seemed to disarm him completely.
WELL" he said. ''you air a cool un."
As sort of finisher, said: Tom,
give us draw, old man; I've lost my
pipe on the road" So | took his pipe.
and had smoke, until he foraged me out
a spare one of his own, which, by-the-by,
I kept for many years.
Matters were now smooth. After hob
bling nv horse and removing the saddle
and bride, Tom and sat down to a sup
per of damper biscuits and very bad meat.
Unbuckling my valise to get something
out, said to Tom: "What do you call
that for seat? have two pounds weight
of dust in that lot"
He simply remarked $50"
pointed to my saddle and said :
There's my revolver, Tom; you can take
it, if you like, or draw the charges"
But this he declined to do.
then told him what l wanted but |
made bad short in commencing with an
allusien to Mr.. Wills's letter. 1t produced
volley of oaths. "He would neither go
for Wills or any one else, unless be liked. ="
Immediately wore ship, tore up the
letter, trusted to my own persuasion, and
obtained his promise to 60 with me in the
morning.
At length. after smoking and chatting.
we settled down for the night, lying side
by side on the ground, wrapped up in the
one blanket, with our saddles for pillows
and our feet to the fire. | never slept
sounder in my lite. The morning broke
in dense fog, which continued tor two
days. and kept us at the creek. The third
morning was fine and clear. After break
fast. we packed up and began the ascent
of Gibbo, leading our horses. Oh, what a
climb that was and what a descent on
the other side Both men and beasts
in danger of breaking their necks.
After leaving the mountain, we passed
through dense forest. and arrived at the
banks of the Mitta-Mitta the same even
ing, where we encamped for the night.
There was a strong flood in the river.
which we hoped would abate before morn
ing, as our route lay across it. Next day.
we were better able to realize our posi-
ton. In our way ran river from 40 to
so yards wide. charged to the full. and
Kissing again as its waters rushed over
reefs and through narrow channels. Its
course for the most part lay through gull
lies and gorges. where the banks were
steep and high like solid walls of mason
nv. Here and there on each side were
narrow lodges near the waters edge.
where passage might be made. But on
this occasion the prospect of crossing was
not cheerful.
I'VE are going to have job to get in"
said Toke; al have never seen the river
so high. There's nothing but swimming
for it."
81 can't swim a stroke" | said but
have every confidence in my horse"
| Toke led the way into the stream. Ou1
nags were quickly out of their depth, and
swan the current in fine STYLE Safely on
| the other side, my handsome cob seemed
rs pleased as myself. for he rubbed his
head on my shoulders in answer to nv
pattlng.
The Militia. Militia winds so much in its
course that we were obliged to cross il
five times, and on two occasions we hat
to leap our horses from the bank into the
stream. When we approached the river
for the fifth time. Toxic said it would BE-
the last, as the country would oper
ont. and we should be able to keep or
, high ground and follow the course o
the river. But alas, our luck now
deserted us, or rather the strength of ouI
horses deserted them. Toke again led the
way. but my horse soon overlook him
Without a seconds warning. | saw Toke
swimming in the water at nv side and hi:
mare nowhere to be seen. Before | coule
realize the danger. too found mysel
struggling in the water. and carried dowr
stream, bobbing up and down like an
empty bottle. was perfectly conscious
so. when the current drove me breast-or
to a rock in mid stream. threw nv arms
across it and held on. The current tore
away at my legs. for | was unable tc
mount the stone. and was momentarily
in danger of being washed off The min.
utes seemed hours. and nv grip was grow
ing weaker. when rescue came in the