t in his own
conveyance, and reached his home in safety. At that period, it was not
only painful but dangerous for any decent traveler to stay at many of
these wayside Inns in the new and rough country. Every man lived and
acted just as he pleased, doing that which was right to his own eyes;
and Might was Right.

CHAPTER XLVII.
AMONGST SQUATTERS AND DIGGERS.

AFTER this, I made a Mission tour, in a somewhat mixed and original
fashion, right across the Colony of Victoria, from Albury in New South
Wales to Mount Gambier in South Australia. I conducted Mission Services
almost every day, and three or more every Sabbath, besides visiting all
Sunday Schools that could be touched on the way. When I reached a
gold-digging or township, where I had been unable to get any one to
announce a meeting, the first thing I did on arriving was to secure some
Church or Hall, and, failing that, to fix on some suitable spot in the
open air. Then, I was always able to hire some one to go round with the
bell, and announce the meeting. Few will believe how large were the
audiences in this way gathered together, and how very substantial was
the help that thereby came to the Mission fund.

Wheresover railway, steamboat, and coach were available, I always used
them; but failing these, I hired, or was obliged to friends of Missions
for driving me from place to place. On this tour, having reached a
certain place, from which my way lay for many miles across the country,
where there was no public conveyance, I walked to the nearest squatter's
Station and frankly informed the owner how I was situated; that I could
not hire, and that I would like to stay at his house all night, if he
would kindly send me on in the morning by any sort of trap to the next
Station on my list. He happened to be a good Christian and a
Presbyterian, and gave me a right cordial welcome. A meeting of his
servants was called, which I had the pleasure of addressing. Next
morning, he gave me L20, and sent me forward with his own conveyance,
telling me to retain it all day, if necessary.

On reaching the next squatter's Station, I found the master also at
home, and said, "I am a Missionary from the South Sea Islands. I am
crossing Victoria to plead the cause of the Mission. I would like to
rest here for an hour or two. Could you kindly send me on to the next
Station by your conveyance? If not, I am to keep the last squatter's
buggy, until I reach it."

Looking with a que