him, all believed him to be unworthy of confidence. Now they were a united party, and whatever

f the day. Then the numerous insects that infest Australia-the ants, flies, and scorpions-were most troublesome. They had to be very careful to avoid being bitten, f

fter he had extricated the team, by great personal effort, from a morass. "If I'd

g," said Harry, smiling. He, too, w

, by a long shot. If I ever make my pile, I

" suddenly e

m. It was a man of middle age, and emaciated in appearance, looking the

e something to eat! I am

to meet the stranger. "We don't keep a first-class hotel, bu

dragging myself along for several days, hop

nd we'll provide for you. Harry, bring some biscuit and cold meat, won't you, and

ven to the stranger. He devoured them l

. Your stomach must

vitals," said the new-comer. "I ha

twenty-four hours once in Californy. You'd better bel

ppen, Mr. Stackp

a livin' creature except an old miser, who pointed a musket at me, and didn'

ger, after he had gulped down two cups of tea

u, I think you'd better get

n suffer as I have done

o. We've got plen

ey. I have been ro

! How i

tory. You may not hav

ience enough, but perhaps you d

. The food and the tea have put new lif

ger. We're all anxiou

, and was among the first to come out here. By the sale of my business I realized about five hundred pounds. Three hundred I left with my wife-I have no children-to keep her

rly. The ill fortune of their new acquaintance

d luck," said Ha

had good luck," r

ated Harry in sur

is plight? That is what

es

y I was in doubt whether to go to Ballarat or

d for Bendig

t 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 poi

inly wasn't

e camp. This was unfortunate, for in such a settlement, as may well be supposed, ther

ere robbed

y experts. Destitute and lost, I have six hundred pounds in Melbourne awaiting my arrival, but

something to live for,

shall buy a passage ticket to Liverpool, and carry with me the balance o

y?" asked Jack, who was eager t

ed his proposal. We bought each a horse, made other preparations, and set out together. He won upon my confidence, and I told him everything. He was very comfortably fixed himself, he told me, and was glad he had fallen in with me, as he had been afraid of being robbed on the journey. All went pleasantly for three da

of your companion?"

d himself

pping his leg with emphasis. "We kn