MEMORIES CONNECTED WITH THE EARLY Gold Discoveries IN VICTORIA

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 26, 22 September 1894, Page 6

MEMORIES CONNECTED WITH THE EARLY Gold Discoveries IN VICTORIA

(By an Old Identity).

{Written for the Southern Cross.)

[alt, rights reserved.]

CHAPTER V.

A Start for Wimmera. —First Repast. A Hew Brand op Tea. After Effects.—A Frugal Squat-ter-—The Dead-house. Spiders and Flies.

As an average life-time has elapsed since I signed articles to serve at a sheep station on the Upper Wimjaera, many will conclude that it is time to forgive and forget the shortcomings of the man I had engaged -with. Perhaps so. Well, as he may not have been as bad as he appeared, or as he was painted by others, I will refrain from expressing the precise feelings entertained towards him during the short time I was associated ■with him. And yet my memories would be incomplete without some reference to a trying experience I had at his hands. Years later either himself or his son became a member ofthe Legislative Council, and hence an ** Honourable.”

Speaking of this distinction reminds me of a large number of nonentities who have never been of the slightest use to humanity, who enjoy the suggestive title. There are perhaps few words in the English language as much misused as “ honourable ” and “temperance.” I will here briefly refer to the former, and in a subsequent chapter to the latter. There is now in memory a member of the Legislative Council of one of the neighbouring colonies, who after some slight success in gold-mining started in business as a sly-grog seller. Later on, by fortunate investments and speculations, he became wealthy, and, without the slightest inquiry into his antecedents, but solely on the ground that his services were useful to the political party he espoused, was elevated to the Upper House, and dubbed an “honourable.” Having been for some time camped in proximity to his. grog shanty, ample opportunity was afforded to become acquainted with his character, and from tha wrongs and miseries he inflicted on his fellow-mortals his fitting reward would have teen a long term of imprisonment. It is not to be wondered at that in some places constituted authority is looked upon with disrespect, and even set at defiance when such men are selected to become “ pillars of the State,” and uses it to make laws for the guidance of humanity. Perhaps it would be expecting too much to look for the early abolition of these empty titles in connection with political life —the outcome of a semienlightened age and which are so often prostituted by their possessors. But “ the schoolmaster is abroad,” and it is merely a matter of time when they will cease to exist. Many times there arise before me ihe scenes of misery and crime caused by the villainous compound dispensed by the person referred to at 30s a bottle. There are others known by repute in these colonies who have little cause to be proud of the means whereby they gained the distinction tinder notice —as witness the recent court revelations and convictions in Melbourne and other cities of fraud in connection with banking institutions and bogus companies Some of these worthies are now doing terms of imprisonment in Pentridge, and after the expiry of their sentences and the discarding of convict garb will look to be addressed by respectable people as «honourables.” A peculiar significance is attached to the word, and the distinction should only be conferred on those who are conspicuously useful in their day and generation, and who in addition pessess the leading virtues of humanity. Hew many of the so-

called “ honourables ” can lay their hands to their hearts and exclaim — “ Ecce Homo /” But to resume.

; For the purpose of my story the man I engaged with will be known to the reader as Dugald Cumrae. The first stage of our journey was only a few miles from Melbourne, where final preparations were made for our trip, which it was expected would be of some three weeks’ duration. We camped in a belt of red gum that then bordered on the north side of the city. There were two teams of ten bullocks each, and both drays were heavily laden with stores and general station requisites. In addition to these were the belongings of the 16 men that composed the party mostly new arrivals. After the bullocks were unyoked and despatched back to their yards for their night’s provender, preparations were made for, the first meal under our contract. No water was procurable where we had camped, and some half-a-dozen returned to the city for a supply. Night had set in when they returned. They stated that they had applied at several hotels for water, and were refused, even when an offer of payment was made for it. Ultimately they had to proceed to the Yarra river for a supply, so that for the water required for night and morning they had to travel some six miles. All were young and vigorous men, however, and the journey was thought little of. We were informed by Cumrae that a kettle, a pot, a cask of corned beef, and a box of tea could be found under the dray cover. The three former we had no difficulty in finding, and the party were soon engaged in cooking operations. The tea, however, could not be discovered. On being apprised of this Cumrae stated that on second thought he remembered having removed it to the other dray, and described where it would be found. This time he was correct. The only light to guide us in the search was the reflection of the camp fire. Unfortunately for his own reputation, the writer volunteered to superintend the liquid portion of the repast. Premising from its appearance that the beef had lain a long time in its bath of pickle, the miscalculating but natural thought occurred that as water was scarce, thirst would be best obviated by making the tea extra strong. Accordingly, without consulting any judgment but his own, a pannikin-full was taken from the box indicated, and emptied into the camp kettle. This was later on augmented by a second supply. It was allowed ample time to stew so as to extract the essential properties from it. All appeared to enjoy the meal. As contemplated, the beef was thoroughly brine-soaked, but as a set-off the tes had a vigorous pungent flavour. We had a free hand to deal with the eatables —at least for that night—and I feel bound to say that none of those present consulted the interests of their employer, as they were well aware he would get his full value out of them for the remuneration they were to receive. Supper being concluded, most of the men began to smoke, and one was relating an incident that had occurred the previous day in Melbourne when suddenly he stopped short, his pipe fell from his mouth, and a sickly pallor appeared to overspread his countenance. Glancing at other members of the party, I found that all exhibited similar symptoms —and then I began to experience a queerish sensation myself. A little later the men looked as if just released from a hospital, and had partially recovered from some prostrating malady. Smoking had ceased simultaneously; the faces of all bore an anxious expression, the eyes were glassy, and appeared to be looking down on noses, while the hand of each rested impressively over the abdominal region. In a low, scared way, one who appeared to be least affected, asked in tremulous tone —‘ What is it, hoys ?’ ‘ It looks like a case of poison,’ suggested another. ‘ Perhaps it is the water,’ remarked a third ; ‘ it may have been taken frem where the Melbourne sewage got mixed with it.’ The hint re-

lative to the water induced the narrator to examine the contents o£ the camp kettle., The liquid had been effectually extracted by the thirsty crowd, and taking a handful of the leaves, I examined them. No tea leaves that I had previously seen or heard of, resembled them in size and colour, and I concluded that some serious mistake had been made either by Oumrae or myself. They were as large as young cabbage plants, and quite as green. On handing some of them to one of the party, the riddle was apparently solved by his exclamation —‘ Oh, Moses ! it’s medicine for the sheep we’ve been boiling and drinking!’ Things were looking serious. some by this time were groaning heavily. Others had crawled away as if desirous to die quietly free from vulgar gaze. Although very ill myself, I determined to do what he could for the men, having been the innocent cause of the mischief through mistaking, as I then thought, the box I was instructed to get the tea from. Comrae was rolled up in a pair of blue blankets and a ’possum rug some 20 yards distant from the fire, and appeared to be sound asleep. Walking quietly towards him, I observed by the jerky movements of his body that this was not the case —that he was ,in fact, inwardly chuckling over something. Touching him on the shoulder, he uncovered his head, and it was evident that he at least was not suffering from pain of body or mind. His face was beaming with exultation. I informed him that the men had all turned seriously ill, and enquired if there had been any arsenic in the kettle, as I had heal'd that it was in frequent use on stations for scab and foot rot in sheep.

‘ Do you mean to say that I want to poison you ?’ he petulantly enquired. 1 ‘ No,’ I replied; ‘but we thought some mistake might have occurred. ‘ Mistake, be blowed !’ he snapped. ‘ Well, what is it we have been boiling for tea P I asked, showing him. some of the leaves.

‘ Oh, I see,’ he replied, after examining them ; ‘ why you have been dosing yourselves with the special instead of the black tea ; and then he laughed vociferously. ‘ls the special dangerous ?’ I enquired. ‘•Ho ; if you had used it moderately, but the fact is you have all been eating and drinking too much, and the result is the penalty you are now undergoing. There was a box of black tea there as well as the special, and you broached the wrong one. However, you will be all right in the morning by taking a stiff nip of brandy, with a shake of pepper in it.’

£ Oh,’ was the simple reply,' as I began to ponder. 1 You may 0 and P as much as you like,’ be reproachfully answered; ‘ but the fact remains thaf you have been using my rations to excess.’ Whatever feeling was uppermost in my mimd, I succeeded in cloaking it, but concluded that it might be expedient to delay my contemplated visit to the Upper Wimmera. After all, there yvas some truth in the accusation of eating and drinking too much: —of that description of food — and there was certainly reason in the advice tendered about the stiff nip of brandy with the shake of pepper in it. I explained to my fellow-suffer-ers the result of the interview, and considering the state of their health, some of them displayed more profanity than could be expected*; but they readily fell in with the brandy and pepper remedy. A 4 whip round ’ was made for the purchase of the former, and the saddle horse that was always kept ready to look after the bullocks was brought into requisition to procure the liquor. The pepper, we were informed by Cumrae, could be found in the dray; but after the recent experience, searching for provisions in the dark was unanimously tabooed. The party despatched for the ‘ medicine ’ soon returned, and considerable benefit resulted to those who freely partook of it. Still, the night was a miserable one, and few

besides Cumrae enjoyed the rest so essential for next day’s journey. Exclamations of distress, according to the various instincts of the sufferers, were heard in every direction. I have especially in mind one member of the party who appeared to have been severely bitten. His ejaculations were delivered in an unknown tongue, but were wonderfully suggestive of suffering. ‘ Oh, tar-an-agus ! ’ ‘Oh, blur-a-nouns ! ’ and other odd expletives were incessantly emitted from him. He was not the worst case, however. Indeed Oamrae’s, ‘ special ’ appeared to have dispensed its properties with the strictest impartiality. As I writejthat strange night-scene is again vividly presented to mind.

“ A-moaning and a-groaniug in the camp—-A-howling and a-growiing, and a ramp and a tramp, To the titillating twitching o£ each cramp.**

while during moments of alleviation withering invectives were profusely hurled at sheep-owners in general and at Cumrae in particular —and scorching anathemas were solemnly invoked on the unfortunate brewer of the liq uor. Conscious of the liberal intentions that inspired him as an amateur cook, the latter objurgations were received in a spirit of resignation ap'proaching to sublime indifference. Indeed, if the truth must be told, after his first and final effort to remedy his mistake, the writer was infinitely more concerned about his own feelings than those of hip, afflicted comrades. While one can afford at the present distant date being somewhat amused at the peculiar demoument to our first feast as pastoral servitors, it was a serious matter to all concerned for several subseqent days. Each of the fifteen unfortunates had a glimmering perception that his career had been brought to a painfully abrupt termination. No cooking was resorted to the following morning, nor indeed was any attempt made to gather up the fragments of the previous night’s supper until a stern reminder was issued .by Cumrae that he ‘never permitted waste.’ All appeared more fitted for medical treatment than the 20 miles that had been notified for our day’s journey. Our morning fare was light and stimulating—brandy and pepper —and silent weak and dejected, but withal solemn looking and reflective, the fifteen victims of misplaced confidence limply and languidly followed the teams as they slowly wended their way northwards.

It should he here explained that later on I learned there were two descriptions of tea' used for station rations at that period. The ‘ black ’ tea referred to was simply the stalks chopped into small pieces, and known as ‘ posts and rails,’ while Cumrae’s ‘ special ’ was the produce of coarse plants that grew in rank ground in China. By a judicious mixture of the two, however, a cheap and not unpleasant beverage could be provided ; but the use of the latter, taken, in large quantity, as we had done, acted as an irritant ; but even that would not account for the powerful effects it had on each and all who had partaken of it. I thought the mistake I had made in my first attempt at manufacturing tea might have been looked upon in a lenient spirit. I regret to say, however, that almost all the party evincecf a desire to ostracise me, aud during the remainder of the time I was in their company I felt that I was looked upon with suspicion. However, s as I experienced a full share of the after-results of my own imprudence, their reserved demeanour afforded me slight concern during the three daj s it took us to reach Bacchus Marsh, some 35 miles on our way to the station.

As I may overlook one of my experienees at the place just mentioned, I will here break the sequence of my narrative by referring to it. Owing to the influx of expiree convicts, ticket-of-leave men, and escapees from Sydney and Van Dieman’s land, perhaps no people ever exhibited in as marked a degree the demoralising

effects' of suddenly-acquired wealth as the lower stratum of society in Victoria at the time I write of. This was especially noticeable in the keepers and habitues of grog shanties on the gold-fields and along the line of road to them from Melbourne. To make money expeditiously was the one great object of these people, and cleanliness, decency, and the common instincts of humanity were ignored to obtain it. To illustrate : About a year after the experience just narrated I had been to Melbourne from the goldfields on business, and on returning to them made Bacchus M&rsh the first stage of the journey. There was then a rough accommodation house there, bearing the attractive sign of ‘ The Digger’s Retreat.’ Being fatigued after my 35 miles tramp, as soon as food was partaken of, I requested the young person who had been attending at table to show me to the room I was to occupy for the night- I was conducted to a leanto at the rear composed of rough palings. In this place there were two double beds, and one of them was pointed out as my resting-place. Immediately on entering I noticed a heavy, sickly odour-, something akin to that of a newly-opened vault. Inquiring the cause, I was informed that it was owing to the door not being opened for some time to afford ventilation. There was one small window in the place, but it could not he unfastened. After retiring the atmosphere became almostunbearable. Fortunately 1 was a smoker, and after indulging in a pipe I succeeded to some extent in disinfecting the bedclothes, but notwithstanding the fatigue I had undergone, try as I would, sleep could not be induced. In a fitful mood I managed to kill time until about midnight, and was anxiously longing for the dawn to clear out, when approaching footsteps towards the apartment led me to turn my face to the partition wall and feign to be asleep. The door opened and three persons entered. I gathered from their voices that two were females and and one a male. Thei-e was silence for a few minutes when, evidently in response to a mute inquiry, the young woman who had conducted me to the room, said, loud enough to be audible —“ Oh, it’s all right. It’s only a new chum. He came from Melbourne to-day, and is fast asleep. There’s your bed—good-night.” With that, she retired. Tho couple who had accompanied her were evidently advanced in years —and to some Extent towards inebriety. I comprehended that much from their cracked voices and maudlin conversations. They were not incapably drunk, and I gathered from their remarks that they had come that day from Ballarat in a cart, that they had made money by grog-selling, and were bound' to Melbourne to purchase a fresh stock of liquor. The woman was addressed by her companion by the entomological designation of “Spider” -the man’s name I did not learn. “ Spider ” simply used the personal pronoun “ You” when addressing him. If not euphonious it was significant that she (“ Spider ”) was the senior partner in the firm. They had been sitting on the side of their bed for some time, smoking and conversing, when the man lowered his voice to a whisper, and referring to the third occupant of the room, wondered if he was worth “shaking” (i.e. robbing.) “ Oh, it’s not worth while,” remarked “Spider,” in an equally low tone ; “we must start early to get to town to-morrow, and if there’s any bother here to-night we might lose more than we’d gain.” I felt warm before this remark, but became positively sultry when I realised their true character. I had not much to lose at the time, but then I wos alone in a room with a pair who were evidently not over-particular as to the means to, be adopted to acquire riches, and I was on the point of taking a prominent part in the business under discussion when “ Spider’s ” anxiety to get to town without “ bother ” soothed me, and I quietly awaited further developments.

“ If he Is only a new-chum,” remarked You, “ he knows a thing or

two; he has got his clothes tucked under the pillow.” “He won’t have much anyhow,” remarked his companion; “ he’s going up. You turn in.” Although spoken in a whisper, I plainly overheard the entire conversation. Shortly after, the pair retired, and the man, in a sociable sort of way, remarked — “ Well, Spider, it’s a grand country this. Who’d have thought when we were on t’other side, that things would ha’ turned out as they have ?” These conciliatory remarks were abruptly cut short by “ Spider ” peremptorily requesting You to shut up and go to sleep. The man appeared to be completely under her control, and did not volunteer further .comment, and I was pleased to hear shortly after by their nasal sounds that both had become oblivious to worldly affairs; It is needless to say that from the dank smell and the effects of the recent conversation, I had not the slightest desire for sleep. At daw-n of day I arose, dressed, and went outside; to inhale the fresh ,air. After a “ sluice ” under a pump in the yard I felt somewhat refreshed, and proceeded to the front part of the house to procure a stimulant, intending' to take to the road without breakfast. In response to a knock at the door a dissipated- looking young fellow opened it. He appeared sulky at being disturbed so early, but on being informed that I had a long journey before me, and a request to join me in a refreshment, he became more sociable. I inquired who my room-mates were at the back of the house. He did not know much about them, but thought that they were not of “much account,” and asked if I saw the old woman. I replied in the negative, stating that it was too dark to notice therp when I left. At this he laughed, and said I ought to have a peep at them before 1 started.

The speaker appeared to be intelligent, and I inquired how it was he had got into his present position. He informed me that he had been at Ballarat, and had spent there all the money he was possessed of. He was “off the lead,” became stone broke, and was returning to town when he halted at The Retreat, where he was offered, and accepted, a barman’s billet. “ But,” he added in an undertone, and with a wink, “ it’a a blank bad shop, and I intend to clear out of it when I get a rise.” The liquor appeared to make him communicative, and he added —- ,

“ See any ghosts last night ?” “ Do you mean the two old ghosts that slept in the same room with me P” I inquired. “ ]STo—a tall fellow, with reddish whiskers and hair, and a scar over his eye.” ! Requesting an explanation, he went on to say —“ You won’t make a fuss if I do —you won’t tell the boss ?” This I promised, and then elicited from him that a few days previously a corpse had occupied the bed I had just risen from. It was that of a man who had made money on the goldfields. On his way to Melbourne he stopped at Bacchus Marsh and commenced to drink heavily. Delirium tremens ensued. He wandered into the bush, and after a few days’ search his body was discovered in the scrub. It was brought to the .shanty, and placed on my recent couch. The leanto was known as the ‘ dead-house, ’ and was used for inquests before the case .mentioned. That was the substance of the conversation 1 had with the bar-keeper, and from subsequent enquiry I had reason to believe that his story was correct in every particular. It was an unpleasant recital, and had a discomposing effect on me. I felt, however, that it would be useless to take any action, and was about to begin the next stage of my journey, when the bar-man, reminded me to have a look at my room-mates before leaving. From the suspicious conversation I had overheard the previous night, it occurred to me that it might be well to be able to identify them, and I quietly returned to the room. They were both still asleep, and now that

it was broad daylight, a most un-savoury-looking pair of mortals were presented to view. The man had a heavy, bloated appearance, with coarse, grizzly hair covering almost the whole of his face, and his age was about 65. 111-looking, however, as he was, the woman was many degrees more so. She might have been of any age between 60 and 100. Her skin was the colour of varnished oak, and her long, matted hair lay spread ovei the pillow. Her mouth was parted, and two yellow tusks, each nearly an inch long, were exposed to view. One of her skinny hands lay outside the bedclothes, and the fingers resembled, the talons of some huge bird of prey The two protruding fangs, however, were the leading features of her appearance. They gave her a hideously wolfish expression. I mentally photographed the pair, and could not perceive a redeeming trait in the character of either. There would be no mercy to a victim in their hands if free to follow the bent of their inclinations. Depravity and crime were written in every lineament, and as I wended my way onwards I felt pleased that 4 Spider ’ controlled her companion, and that other business engagements prevented her 1 bothering ’ over me the previous night. They were a fair sample of the class that the penal establishments of Australia had let loose on society before and after the gold discoveries.