ne
night the water came down on us rather suddenly. We managed to get our
belongings up the bank before they became wet.

In those days thunderstorms seemed to be more prevalent during November
than in later years. Before we reached Telemon, the river was a banker,
flooding the plains, and compelling us one night to camp on an ant bed,
which was the only dry spot we could find. Fortunately, the ants were
not of the bulldog breed.

We arrived at Telemon about noon of a sweltering hot day, and found Mr.
Stewart, the owner, lying on his bunk with a tallow cask in close
proximity, the grease oozing out on to his bed. He invited us to have
some dinner, and we gladly availed ourselves of the invitation. Learning
that we were bound for the coast, he advised us to take the short cut up
Bett's Gorge. Mr. Stewart had been adjutant of the Cameron Highlanders
during the Crimean War, and was then considered to be the smartest
officer in the regiment. When he came to Australia, and took up the runs
of Southwick and Telemon, he altered so much that he became known as
"Greasy Stewart." When spoken to about it, he would say, "When you are
amongst savages, do as savages do." Otherwise he was in manners and
conduct a gentleman, and a delightful conversationalist. When visiting
Sydney he was considered to be a remarkably well-dressed man. He
afterwards became the possessor of a large estate in Scotland, where he
died.

We found the creek running through Bett's Gorge a banker, and had to
swim 23 crossings in one day. Being so often in the water, we did not
trouble to dress, consequently the sun played havoc with our bodies.

All the country for miles around being of a basaltic nature, our horses
became very footsore, and when we reached Lolworth Station we asked Mr.
Frank Hann, the manager, if he would allow us to spell them. He
consented, and invited us to the house. We stayed there about three
weeks, assisting him at mustering, and branding the cattle.

The Cape River diggings had just broken out, and as I was now getting
stronger--the fever was going off gradually--I decided to remain in
Australia, and try my hand at gold digging.

Both Carolan and myself were novices at the game, especially in putting
down a shaft. We decided to go up on a spinifex ridge, out of sight, to
sink, what turned out to be a three-cornered shaft, and so gain
experience. This we bottomed at 100 feet, obtaining good specimens of
shotty gold. Mr. Robert Ch