Year: 1875

rang out from Raymonds lips, that some
port of Australia was in sight.


Land was family discerned-land which
they sped the rude boat to as fast as it was
possible for them to do SO.


1t was a wild, barren coast, much the
same in general physical characteristics as
that upon which Raymond had been
wrecked when rescued by Werner and
Percy.


They dragged their boat upon the shore.
Then they surveyed the cou ntry around.


"You think we are in Australia r asked
Raymond Of Percy.


81 am very familiar with the country, +"
you. Let us proceed still farther inland. :"


They did so.


AS they advanced the landscape assum-
ed foliage and underground.


at is Australia" finally pronounced
Percy.


''How do you know that" asked Yer


because the foliage tells me so. You
see yonder tree There is no other place
in the world where it grows, except here.


"What is it 7" queried Raymond, OBJ
serving willOw-like tree near the edge Of
a swamp.


''The swamp-drainer | call it, When it
attaIns its full growth, it drains all the
swamp water for many miles around. 1t
Is a most remarkable tree, and, as said,
is only found in Australia"


Of course, now that they had landed, no
one thought of returning to the boat, and
it was resolved to abandon il and push
farther towards the interior of the
country.


"We cannot fail to reach some stray
camp of miners in a few days, said Percy
Il have no idea what portion of the west
ern coast Of Australia We are near, but |
know that this portion of the country is
rich in auriferous deposits. Its great
mineral wealth must have attracted the
attention of miners. Let us keep on a
straight track We will not be long in
reaching the interior and civilization"


So it was decided. A long weary tramp
was before them, but the men were in
good spirits, and their hope of again be-
ing in a civilized country was sufficient in
ducement to them to continue in arduous
efforts to meet once more with their fellow
creatures.


The third day they came upon the
tracks Of horses, evidently belonging to
party.


The following day the ashes of wood
fire by The road side indicated the presence
Of party of men


These indieations If close proximity
to the outposts Of civilization cheered and
encouraged them to renewed eXertions.
They were ascending a hill just at evening
at the close Of the fifth day, when, as they
gained It's summit, a beautiful valley lay
before them.


A wild cry Of delight and satisfaction
rang out from their lips as they saw in the
valley below mining camp


1t was no illusionary vision Of few cred
fancy or an over-hested mind. There was
the reality-men and tents, and long
gulch, their mining labors, in which half
hundred men we're Just leaving. And
there, few rods from the tents Of the
miners, was little town, all
scene Of activity and hustle and life.


Wearied as they were, the men hastened
their steps towards the town below.


They were greeted with kind and
hearty welcome by the rude miners, seve-
raj Of whom knew Perry, who, to his sur
prise, recognized them as his old com
rades and workmen when he was foreman
Of the mines of the Australian Gold Mi
ming Company.


They gave him and his friends glad
welcome, and the three adventurers soon
found themselves the occupants Of a tent,
the hospitalities of which were unsel6shly
rendered to them by the simple minded
miners.


That night they rested once more peace
fully in the company Of comrades and
friends, who did all in their power to rem
der it as pleasant as for them as was pos
sible. They awoke the following morning
to find busy mining town, ready for the
days business.


The name Of the town was Placer Val
ley, and here for a time, as the gold was
reported to be very plenty, they resolved
to stay for time at least. So they took
up their quarters in the tent of one of
their companions.