Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-30
PEGGING OUT CLAIMS.
Wild Scenes and Incidents Conse-
quent Upon a Discovery Of Gold
IN AN AUSTRALIAN ELDORADO.
Hundreds Take Part in a Mad Race to
Reach the Diggings First.
THE STRANGE LIFE SwAGSMEN LEAD
rcoKuEspoxDENcE OF TIE D1sPATcH.l

SYDNEY, n. B. W., May 2S.-1t was
while on nv way TO q sheep station on the
back blocks that 1 first witnessed what is
known in the Australian colonies as a 'gold
rush" Ny route lay through section Of
country some 800 miles west of Sydney, over
which, for considerable time previously,
prospectors had been trying for the shiny
metal and as pulled up one evening at
the "hotel" Of an embryo township-the
latter consisting of three bark huts, gen.
eral store and the hostelry mentioned-it
was to find the place in ferment of excite
ment over the fact that the red flag, indi-
eating the discovery of gold, had been hoisted
few days previously in gully not 30 miles
distant.
The rapidity with which such news spreads
is incredible, and already the shanty which,
after the fashion Of the country, have dig
nifed bv the name of hotel, was crowded to
its verandahs by the vanguard of the army
which would soon be on its way to the
gold field. These first arrivals were pretty
much of a class, hailing from the surround
ing sheep runs or stations, and included
boundary riders, cooks and roustabouts,
with sprinkling of the travelling fraterni-
ty or ''swagsmen, as they are called, from
Lne FASHION Ol TOlliuS w IucAA iO" OhonSSe
of clothing and blanket into "swag" or
bundle, which they carry suspended from
the shoulder by means of q strap.
AFFECTED BY THE GOLD FEVER.
The more wealthy portion of this class
nd il covers the entire working popula-
on of the colonies when on the march
vel on horseback, with the swag strapped
the saddle in front of them. Few had
ning tools, these would be obtained later
a, the uppermost idea in the minds of ali
Jeing to get on 10 the ground and peg out
;laim with as little of delay as possible.
Some, very badly bitten with the fever,
Guild throw down their swagS for the mo-
,nt rush into the hotel, hastily dispose of
long sleever" or tall glass of beer, and
zen resume their march. Many were there
who, perfectly penniless, were making for
he diggings in search of work from others,
and these were not allowed to roll into their
blankets under the shady gum, without,
after the hospitable manner of the country,
being first regaled with plentiful meal of
cold mutton and damper bread at the hands
Of the worthy landlord. Excitement ran
high, intensified by the favorable accounts
which had been received of the new field.
OFF FOR THE DIGGINGs.
The opportunity of seeing the develop
ment and the contingent excitement of what
might transpire to be rich field was too
good to let pass, and 1 lost no time in ar
ranging with the storekeeper for an Sx6 can
vas tentand fly, few cooking utensils, and an
ak and not forgetting the ecommissariat depart
ment by laying in a supply OF tea, -four and
timed meat so as to be on the right side un-
til the enterprising storekeepers, who are
always among the first flight in q rush,
should settle down to business. Casting
round for a second horse to serve as a
"pack, was not long in picking up one
from a needy traveller, who parted with a
good-looking pony for the consideration of
81, and securing from the hotel keeper a
pack saddle which had seen better days,
held myself in readiness for a start on the
morrow.
1t was an animated scene that L gazed
upon on turning out next morning. The
sun, just topping the range of low hills on
the horizon, threw a carpet of light across
the expansive plain of sword grass which
stretched away in front, and, penetrating
the gloom of the shady timber within which
we were eamped, threw out in strong relief
against the leafy background, the scores of
white-tilted wagons of all sizes and shapes
which had congregated during the night,
and glinting from one white hy to another
of the hastily erected tents of the foot
travellers. Where, a moment since, the
EVERYWHERE WAS HURRY AND BUsTLE.
DuslIy forms unrolled themselves from
under the protecting canopy of the umbrag-
eous sun, or from out the shelter of the
semporarily erected 'tmai-mai''-the native
.erm for a wind screen formed of leafy
boughs-and made haste for the morning
meal and fresh start; from out of wagon
and from under dray, tumbled a motley ag-
gregation of humanity, embracing every
type, age, and condition of man, eager to
get cnce more en- route for the Eldorado;
and soon 100 fires sent their wreaths curl
ing upward, to commingle and form the
only cloud in the blue vault above.
Strings of bullocks-the hardy agents of
transportation Of the back blocks-obedi-
ent to the command of the ''ballocky" or
driver, moved stolidly along to their places
beside the long accustomed yoke, their
tinkling bells making merry music on the
morning air; and the lusty neigh of the
horse, responsive to the milder whinny of
his sister, was heard on all sides, failing to
drown the hoarse clatter of the laughing
jackass in high tree overhead, or the
screech of the crimson-hued rosella and vel
low-crested cockatoo as they fitted from one
leafy refuge to another, vieing, in brilliancy
of plumsge, with the variegated Towering
of the underground.
THE BUSHMAN'S DIET.
It may not be out of place to add here
some explanation of such frequent terms In
"bush" parlance as bumper" and "swags-
man."
By the "bush" is meant the country re-
mote from large city, whether it include
plain of hundreds of miles in extent and
totally devoid of all growth or densely
covered timber land.
ffDumper' and tea form the staple article
of food of the bushman, more especially
when travelling, and the swagsinan, in ad-
dition 10 his bundle besides the invariable
''billy" or tin quart can, always carries
three or four small bags to contain the
rations he receives from time TO time.
Bumper is made by manipulating on what
ever comes most handy, whether piece of
old calico or a strip of bark, the -four and |
water, to which has been added pinch of
salt or baking powder, into a stiff dough, |
which is then placed in the center of the hot |
ashes of the wood fire, carefully surrounded |
and covered with more, and after about 20 |
minutes baking is drawn out not particu- |
larlv unpalatable cake.
The "swagsman" is an institution pecul- )
lar to the Australian colonies. The term is |
applied to men who travel around, whether |
on foot or mounted, in search of work, and |
they should not be contounded with the |
tramp, who seldom leaves the vicinity of |
the towns, and is disinclined to all labor. |
But now the camp is rapidly breaking up; |
everyone vies with his neighbor as to which !
shall be first on the road, and exertions are
made to overtske those who slipped away
under cover of the night. In very short
time the camp had spread itself out into a
.ncthy column along the track for the dig