Page 33 - In A New World

CHAPTER VI.

A NIGHT INCIDENT.

The path of a gold-seeker in Australia was beset with difficulties. The
country about Melbourne, and far inland, was boggy, the soil being

volcanic, and abounding in mud which appears to have no bottom. The
road to the mines was all the worse for having been ploughed up by bullock

teams, and worked into a slough which proved the discouragement of
mining parties. Some were even months in traversing the comparatively
small distance across the country to the goal they sought. But the attraction

of money, which is said to make the mare go, enabled them to triumph at
last over the obstacles that intervened. It was not long before our party

began to understand the nature of the task they had undertaken. The cart
sank up to the hubs in a bog, and the oxen stood still in patient despair.

"Well, if this don’t beat all creation!" ejaculated Obed. "I’ve been in the
Western States, and I thought I knew something about mud, but Australy’s

ahead. I say, Fletcher, is there much of this that we’ve got to go through?"

"Mud’s the rule, and dry land the exception," answered Fletcher coolly.

"Well, that’s comfortin’!" remarked Stackpole, drawing a deep breath. "I

s’pose people do get through after a while."

"Yes, generally. I was six weeks getting to the Ovens once."

"I wish we had some ovens to bake this mud," said Obed, with a grim smile

at his joke. "It would take a powerful large one."

There was nothing for it but dogged perseverance. It took an hour to get the

oxen and cart through a bog a hundred feet across, and the appearance of
the party, when they finally reached the other side, was more picturesque

than attractive.