Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt:...is sure to receive depends upon the selfishness of mankind! Steady Jack's store ran all competition out of the field. In a short time the other storekeepers had either to move or to sell up their goods and turn diggers. Now, as storekeeping, with a brisk business, no credit, and fabulous prices, was a far more advantageous matter than toiling and moiling day after day in heat or cold, in water or upon rock, with only a prospect of a possible find of the precious metal, you may depend upon it that the ex-storekeepers did not love John Cheadle a bit more than they could help. But he was too popular with the general public of Black Bull Creek for the discontented to attempt to maltreat him. One fellow who was caught firing his revolver into the store one night, was lynched on the spot, and the example was not without its influence. Cheadle's partner, Dick Barclay, or, as he was called at the Creek, where every man had his nickname, Slippy Dick, was rather to be envied for the good luck which made him a shareholder in so prosperous a concern. He had come out--so he said--as a digger, but as he never touched spade, pick, or cradle, this was doubtful; and some of the knowing ones used to say that he came to the diggings because he was obliged to leave England, and not because he wanted to come to Australia. But you couldn't get much out of Slippy Dick; you might try to corner him with questions as to his previous history, but he was not to be caught. Just as a large eel, which you think you have secured, glides imperceptibly out of your grasp before you're aware, and drops back into the river, Slippy Dick would be round a corner and evade yeur inquiry with infinite coolness. When he first came out, he started a gaming-table, but as he had no capital he was soon b...