r young
Englishman, who, like me, had lost every shilling he had. I trembled
lest I should be tempted to commit a like act; for I found that hardly a
week passed by but some wretched victim of gaming thus plunged into a
fearful eternity, while numbers took to drinking hard, and brought
themselves speedily to the grave. Sickened for the time of gambling, I
worked hard again, till I had saved enough to take me up to the
diggings. I found one of my shipmates about to start. We agreed to go
together. We were bound to each other, not by mutual regard, but that
we required companionship, and believed we could trust each other. I do
not much like to think of all the hardships we underwent. We had some
distance to go up the river, on the crowded deck of a vessel; then, with
our packs on our backs, we commenced the toilsome part of our journey,
over mountain and valley, across rivers and plains, on the highlands,
exposed to sharp winds, which pierced bitterly through our light
clothes, while on the plains we were scorched with the fierce rays of
the unclouded sun. A large party had collected at the foot of a rugged
mountain. Before us lay a plain of vast extent, which must be crossed.
We had heard that there was a scarcity of water. Some had filled their
water-skins and jars and kegs; others laughed at the notion of not being
able to go a few hours without water, even should we not find any; and
some carried flasks filled with rum or brandy, boasting that that was
the best stuff for quenching thirst I never felt greater heat in the
tropics; the air was filled with the finest dust, which got down our
throats, stopped our nostrils, and filled up the pores of our already
parched skins. The first night we stopped for very weariness--no water
was to be found. Those who had some would not part with a drop to their
comrades: they might want it themselves. All night the wolves howled
round us, as if scenting their prey. There were reports, too, that
hostile Indians had been seen; and several times the camp was aroused by
an alarm that the redskins were on us. The next day, when the sun rose,
the sky was cloudless, and there was not a breath of wind. Greater than
ever was the heat, and more intense the thirst of those who had brought
no water. I had a small flask full; but though I kept wetting my lips
occasionally, I suffered dreadfully. Almost certain destruction would
be the lot of those who dropped behind; yet, one by