The Eureka Stockade [29]
double the number of eyes electrified by the magnetism of the southern cross; was one of those grand sights, such as are recorded only in the history of 'the Crusaders in Palestine.'
Chapter XXXVIII.
Un Bon Calcio, E La Canaglia, Stronga Va Come La Paglia.
The drill afterwards was gone through with eagerness.
Another scene, though of a different kind all together, was going on at a corner of the above picture.
Judas Iscariot, 'Goodenough,' was among us, in the garb of a fossiker; he appeared to me, then, to be under the influence of drink; so Vandemonian-like were his shouts about standing up and fighting for rights and liberties; and burning down the camp in a blaze like the late Eureka Hotel.
Mind good reader, I tell you no joke, I am not in humour just now to spin a yarn.--I wished to shame the fellow for his villainy on such a solemn occasion. The fellow persisted in his drunken shouts. I lost my temper, and gave the scoundrel such a respectable kick, in a less respectable region, with a most respectable boot of mine, that it served me right when both my new watertight boots were robbed from my shins by Goodenough's satellites on the subsequent Sunday, at the Ballaarat Camp.
The Thursday's sun is setting: we returned to the Eureka. I had to attend the 'Council for the Defence.'
Chapter XXXIX.
Disciplina, Suprema Lex In Bello.
In the afternoon, our camp on the Eureka was enclosed in by slabs, near-handy thrown down at random. All diggers who had been able to procure fire-arms kept coming in, in right earnest, and formed new divisions. The pikemen grew stronger and stronger. Drilling was tolerably progressing. We were of all nations and colours. Lalor gave me his consent and order to direct all foreigners in their respective language, however little they knew of the English, to fall in in divisions according to the arms they had got; and here I solemnly declare, to whomsoever it may concern, that up to four o'clock of Saturday there was not one single division distinguished by nationality or religion.
The armed men numbered now (six o'clock) about five hundred.
Vern's gall was fermenting, but on PETER LALOR being proclaimed Commander-in-chief, the appointment was ratified by hurrah! from the diggers.
There was such a decided intention to do 'something' with the strong arm, and at once, that I was called on the stump. I requested the diggers to give us time for deliberation, and pledged my word that I would inform them of the result. 'Go a-head! Great works!' was the shout.
Chapter XL.
Beati Qui Sunt Pacifici, Quoniam Filii Dei Vocabuntur.
It was dark: myself took the light in the council room.
Father P. Smyth and Mr. George Black were present; both looking serious and anxious.
All of us were much concerned, and felt the responsibility of our position. By this time the diggers from all parts had swelled to the number of eight hundred. They were not clamorous, they wanted to know what was determined on by the leaders.
Proposed by Black, seconded by Manning...That a deputation from the armed diggers, should be forthwith sent to the Camp--
1. To demand--that was our temper in those days--the immediate release of those diggers who had been dragged to the lock-up in the morning hunt, for want of the licence.
2. To demand from Commissioner Rede a pledge not to come out any more for licence-hunting.
Two of us were to form the deputation, and proceed at once.
Father Smyth proposed Mr. Black, Lalor proposed Signor Raffaello: agreed to unanimously. This news, being made public to the diggers, was well received by all; and the council kept sitting until our return.
The deputation was accompanied by Father Smyth. It was a starry night, and rather cold; the moon shone in all its southern splendour. On approaching the main road, the noisy band of Row's Circus, and the colonial cursing and shouting from inveterate grog-bibbers, forced into my mind the meditation, 'Unde bella et pugna infer vos?' etc.--James, chap.
Chapter XXXVIII.
Un Bon Calcio, E La Canaglia, Stronga Va Come La Paglia.
The drill afterwards was gone through with eagerness.
Another scene, though of a different kind all together, was going on at a corner of the above picture.
Judas Iscariot, 'Goodenough,' was among us, in the garb of a fossiker; he appeared to me, then, to be under the influence of drink; so Vandemonian-like were his shouts about standing up and fighting for rights and liberties; and burning down the camp in a blaze like the late Eureka Hotel.
Mind good reader, I tell you no joke, I am not in humour just now to spin a yarn.--I wished to shame the fellow for his villainy on such a solemn occasion. The fellow persisted in his drunken shouts. I lost my temper, and gave the scoundrel such a respectable kick, in a less respectable region, with a most respectable boot of mine, that it served me right when both my new watertight boots were robbed from my shins by Goodenough's satellites on the subsequent Sunday, at the Ballaarat Camp.
The Thursday's sun is setting: we returned to the Eureka. I had to attend the 'Council for the Defence.'
Chapter XXXIX.
Disciplina, Suprema Lex In Bello.
In the afternoon, our camp on the Eureka was enclosed in by slabs, near-handy thrown down at random. All diggers who had been able to procure fire-arms kept coming in, in right earnest, and formed new divisions. The pikemen grew stronger and stronger. Drilling was tolerably progressing. We were of all nations and colours. Lalor gave me his consent and order to direct all foreigners in their respective language, however little they knew of the English, to fall in in divisions according to the arms they had got; and here I solemnly declare, to whomsoever it may concern, that up to four o'clock of Saturday there was not one single division distinguished by nationality or religion.
The armed men numbered now (six o'clock) about five hundred.
Vern's gall was fermenting, but on PETER LALOR being proclaimed Commander-in-chief, the appointment was ratified by hurrah! from the diggers.
There was such a decided intention to do 'something' with the strong arm, and at once, that I was called on the stump. I requested the diggers to give us time for deliberation, and pledged my word that I would inform them of the result. 'Go a-head! Great works!' was the shout.
Chapter XL.
Beati Qui Sunt Pacifici, Quoniam Filii Dei Vocabuntur.
It was dark: myself took the light in the council room.
Father P. Smyth and Mr. George Black were present; both looking serious and anxious.
All of us were much concerned, and felt the responsibility of our position. By this time the diggers from all parts had swelled to the number of eight hundred. They were not clamorous, they wanted to know what was determined on by the leaders.
Proposed by Black, seconded by Manning...That a deputation from the armed diggers, should be forthwith sent to the Camp--
1. To demand--that was our temper in those days--the immediate release of those diggers who had been dragged to the lock-up in the morning hunt, for want of the licence.
2. To demand from Commissioner Rede a pledge not to come out any more for licence-hunting.
Two of us were to form the deputation, and proceed at once.
Father Smyth proposed Mr. Black, Lalor proposed Signor Raffaello: agreed to unanimously. This news, being made public to the diggers, was well received by all; and the council kept sitting until our return.
The deputation was accompanied by Father Smyth. It was a starry night, and rather cold; the moon shone in all its southern splendour. On approaching the main road, the noisy band of Row's Circus, and the colonial cursing and shouting from inveterate grog-bibbers, forced into my mind the meditation, 'Unde bella et pugna infer vos?' etc.--James, chap.