CHAPTER Vll.—(Continued.)

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1976, 7 March 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER Vll.— (Continued.)

" What has come over vi all, Mr. Leonard ? What has come over tho sun, that was here a minute ago ? Where are the birds gone that •wore whiatlin' above thora a bit ago ? What makes George's face there as white as a rag ? What brings down that sough of wind like the ory of a dying miv for help ? God forgive us all, but I'm afeard the ourse hasn't jot been lifted out of this place at all ? Let as take down the flag and go away 1" And they hauled down the flag, vainly attempting to laugh at the change that an approaching storm had wrought in their feel ings, 'As if a cloud could affect the fact that their claim was a golden one I" Leonard said, but Tady shook his head, and even Charlie lllin art he rode away with the nugget on the •addle before him, turned back with a shudier, as once again the long howl of the dog followed him from the Gully. " And so it's you and I for it now until our ■ew hands loma down, Tady?" young Clark ■aid, when Leonard had ridden away to overtake Charlie Bllis. " How are we going to manage ?" " Divil a know I know," replied the little Irishman , " sure it never kern into my head that we'd have to watch the claim day an' night, an' to tell ye the troth, George, I don't like the idaya at all." " Well, it didn't want watching when we didn't know there were big nuggets in it, Tady; but it'll be right enough after to-night, tor Tom Doran and his brother will sleep in the tent until we get a hnt built. Come, l«t ns cheer up, old chap ! the bottles are not •mpty yet, and Leonard won't forget to send Of plenty of grub." " I'll go down the shaft apain an' look for another bit or goold," returned Tady ; "we may as well be at work as standin' here, the only living things in this lonesome place. Ugh ! how cowld it's gettin'."