Page 48 - In A New World

"How did I come into this plight? That is what you were about to ask?"

"Yes."

"You will soon learn. On reaching this country I was in doubt whether to go
to Ballarat or Bendigo, but finally decided upon the latter."

"We are bound for Bendigo," said Jack.

"So I inferred. Ballarat is in a different direction. Very well, I reached
Bendigo three months since. For a time I was unlucky. I found next to no
gold, and the prices of living used up about all the money I had left after the

expense of getting there. Just when I was on the point of giving up in
despair my luck turned. I made a strike, and during the next six weeks I

unearthed gold to the value of a thousand pounds."

"That certainly wasn’t bad luck."

"It was extraordinarily good luck, and naturally drew the attention of the

rest of the camp. This was unfortunate, for in such a settlement, as may
well be supposed, there are many reckless adventurers, ex-convicts, and
men utterly destitute of principle."

"Then you were robbed at the camp?"

"Not then nor there. I took the precaution to send the greater part of my
money to Melbourne by experts. Destitute and lost, I have six hundred

pounds in Melbourne awaiting my arrival, but for all that, I should probably
have starved to death but for my opportune meeting with you."

"Come, then, you’ve got something to live for, after all," said Obed.

"Yes, you are right. Let me once get to Melbourne and I am all right. I shall
buy a passage ticket to Liverpool, and carry with me the balance of my

money. With all that I have lost I shall go home richer than I came."