The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-05-14
THROUGH DANGER ;
Or
LIFE IN AUSTRALIA.
CHAPTER VII.
A NABROw ESCAPE.

Three weeks had elapsed since Philip /
bathurst had joined the motley crowd /
at the diggings and fortune had not
been unkind TO him.
All day he worked, and in the night
built castles for the future. wherein
Flo played the principal part. But for
Mark S death never would digger have
been more Jolly.
When a man is in that humOr he gen
orally Graves for a cOnfidant, as far as
he could Philip made the Jew one.
Isaac lewis had seemed to take a
special liking to the young fellow, or
rather to rely upon his youth, strength,
and generous nature. Philips was not
the nature to refuse anyone help that
he could give, so when the Jew, half
apOlOgeucally, announced his desire to
rear his little tent by the young fell
lows, Philip lent him a hand.
He cOmpassionated him also for his
ntirmity Of deafness. which was so
great that it isolated him from all. for
no one paid heed save Philip to Deaf
Old CIo,' the nickname bestowed on
him, as with stopped form he skunk
about the diggings.
'1 on are unfortunate in your claims"
remarked Philip Bathurst one day to
the Jew; "3nd so you ever VIII be,
Lewis, if you don't stick to one with
more perseverance. No sooner do you
get foot below the surface than you
give 1t up and 60 elsewhere"
"ElseveTe. Yes, yes-he-he,n nod
ded the Jew. You shall see, AIishter
Bathurst. He-he-hel only Wait and
shall be as rich as wants. There ish
good stherling gold to be found, and
shall find it. He-he-he."
Obstinate old chap, y mUtterRd Phil
III as he marched away, his. pick over
{ his shoulder. .'I.aI
As he went the Jew ceased working,
and looked after him. strange eEp4eS-
. sion in his bright eyes. Then shoulder
/ ing his own pick he went off in auOth-
/ eT direction, finally pitching upon an
OJheT piece OF land. and sending his
pick into it with wonderful YigOr.
/ Near the spot were two diggers in
. high boots and garibaldi, lying near
. their claim, drinking and talking ear
+ ueslIv. At the sound of the pick,
. one glanced round.
It's only Old ClO.'" laughed the
other. If any chap was disgrace to
his tribe it's him. i thought Jews
. noses could smell gold a mile Oft.
L reckon he's got a tile loose. He s
I always digging where there amt a bit
/ of chance, and where there is he leaves
it. But hadn't we better move our
. quarterS?'
,''C Cause Of him? why. he'd hardly
7 hear a gun let of close at his ear. ToU
see" Euisiug his voice he called
4 Deaf old ClO you won't git much out
Of that claim. it's been worked
The Jew paused. looked vaguely up
placed his hand behind his ear, theI
proceeded with his pick. q cam. Il
You see, he COortssfOFs nothing; esC
now, what was ] SayIug?'
And o 9 two men resumed their cen
versatiCn. - nst1 " .-- arE -arE
SIS ~. :
. Philip Bathurst had a glorious find
tfIat day. almost the biggest nugget the
afgginCs had produced. ... e.. p
Others had witnessed his good buck
and the intelligence ran through the
camp.
Flushed and delighted ne gave oveI
work at dusk, and returned to his tent
lime neyeThUng heavily yOn-his hands
IN the bre1St-p0cket Of his gal-Tbdldi
were three letters from Flo, .aHduO Oc.
cUpatiOn was so sweet, and interesting
as the Te-perUSal Of these.
Ills candle lighted be employed some
. of his time IN reckoning up his gains
they almost exceeded his hopes.
If matters 90 on like this" he re
fieCted, ''in less than another month
may get the colonel to purchase me 3
station. and-and soon after that =
with a thrill of deliciOus JOY may
make Flo, my sweet darling FlO-my
wife. It's very jolly working for her
but it VIII be far more so when L have
her by my side, her dear head on my
breast. and her eves-Heaven bless
theml-shyiy, yet fOndly, meeting mine
All. to wOrk-wOrk, for every hour
bring that time nearer is an extra houl
of paradise.
So in order to be up at dawn he pu
out the light and threw himself on hi!
rough bed, and, healthfully tired, speed
ily slept. '..L'
Silence had scarcely fallen over tht
camp when the opening Of Isaac Lewis
tent was slightly raised, and the Jew
crept forth Keeping in the shadow
he erawled to the darkest side of PhiliI
/ BathurSt's tent. drew out his knife
made deep rent in the canvas, an(
pulled himself through.
The young mans breathing toll
where he laid, the Jew stole along t,
his side, then quickly placed one han'
on his shoulder, and one on his mouth
while he whispered as, Philip spran!
Hush, not a word for your Iifel In
Jewish = There'sh to be an attack OF
yOur tent tonight
- i'By whom1'; exclaimed Philip. q
Z ''Get MP and dress; have your pishtol
rs it any of the diggers, Isaac?
Gueried Philip, as be obeyed. Tut! h
cannot hear me. and dare not raise m
voice It's to steal my nugget.
a moment a suspicion of the JeN
himself flashed across his mind, but b
banished it as he completed his dress
ing.
"if shO. come OutShide and vatch.-
They viii shOon be here
Wondering who they could bt
Philip approached the door, when lsaa
Lewis drew him back.
NO. no. They win Shee you. TIN
way: there ish shadows. The way l &c
5 ssAnd a remarkably cool way. too,
reflected the young fellow; nevertheless
dropping on hands and knees, and 20
! lowing the Jew.
IF We are sthin, We VIII catch 'em,
. VhisDerpd Isaac We vii unmaSk 'en
they shall not escape. He, he, he
Even as he spoke, a blue thread {
r light. as that which betrays powder
train. darted from the direction of tn
Jews tent to Philips, entering it at th
part where his bed was.
There was loud explosion, a glaI
of light. and the tent was hurled int
fragments.
!, Philip and Lewis were flung to tl
: ground from the cCncuSSiOn. but swift
fbav sprang to their feet, and in I'll
rlgreDf the blazing tent came almO,
face to face with two rough digger
who were advancing rapidly.
That's EN-. cried the jew. ''Seiz
'em. they mustn't eSCuape.'
The villains had, however, alread
Ieaped back; as one did SO, he aime
/ his revolver and fired.
: Philip Bathurst gave a leap in the a
; and fell with groan 20 the ground.
I; isaac Lewis, uttermg ALMOST hoy
/, of rage. sprang forward, discharging n
: revolver barrels after the diggers, a.
y uarently without effect for they new