The Eureka Stockade [32]
with Mr. Black only, were, and are still, mysteries to me.
Mr. Rede, who had not failed to remark the abruptness with which Father Smyth had cut me short; joined both his hands, and with the stretched forefinger tapping me on both hands, which were clenched as in prayer, addressed to me these identical remarkable words, "My dear fellow, the licence is a mere watchword of the day, and they make a cat's-paw of you."
Mr. Black undertook my defence: he words above stuck in my throat, though.
Mr. Hackett, on being consulted, assented that Mr. Rede could promise us to take into consideration the present excited feelings of the diggers, and use his best judgment as to a further search for licences on the morrow.
Mr. Rede: "Yes, yes; but, understand me, gentlemen. I give no pledge."
The usual ceremonies being over, Sub-inspector Taylor kindly escorted us to the bridge, gave the pass-word, and to go--just as any one else will go in this land, who puts his confidence in red-tape--disappointed.
Chapter XLIII.
La Volpe Cambia Il Pelo, Ma Non La Pelle; Cambia La Pelle Il Serpe, Non Il Veleno: Il Cane Non Abbaia Col Ventre Pieno; Vestesi Il Lupo In Pecora Tra Liagnelle. Antica Storia; Ma Senza Gloria.
By this time, the main road was crowded. The men were anxiously waiting to know our success. Mr. Black calmed their excitement as kindly as circumstances admitted. We returned to our camp at the Eureka. Mr. Black rendered an account of our mission with that candour which characterises him as a gentleman. I wished to correct him in one point only, and said, my impression was, that the Camp, choked with red-coats, would quash Mr. Rede's 'good judgment,' get the better of his sense, if he had any of either, and that he would come out licence-hunting on an improved style.
Peter Lalor adjourned the meeting to five o'clock in the morning.
Chapter XLIV.
Accingere Gladio Tuo Super Femur Tuum.
On Friday, December 1st, the sun rose as usual. The diggers came in armed, voluntarily, and from all directions: and soon they were under drill, as the day before. So far as I know, not one digger had turned to work. It may have happened, that certain Cornishmen, well known for their peculiar propensity, of which they make a boast to themselves, to pounce within an inch of their neighbour's shaft, were not allowed to indulge in 'encroaching.' This, however, I assert as a matter of fact, that the Council of the Eureka Stockade never gave or hinted at any order to stop the usual work on the gold-field.
Towards ten o'clock, news reached our camp that the red coats were under arms, and there would be another licence-hunting.
The flames did not devour the Eureka Hotel with the same impetuosity as we got up our stockade. Peter Lalor gave the order: Vern had the charge, and was all there with his tremendous sword. "Wo ist der Raffaello! Du, Baricaden bauen," and all heaps of slabs, all available timber was soon higgledy-piggledy thrown all round our camp. Lalor then gave directions as to the position each division should take round the holes, and soon all was on the 'qui vive.'
Had Commissioner Rede dared to rehearse the farce of the riot-act cracking as on Gravel-pits, he would have met with a warm reception from the Eureka boys. It was all the go that morning.
No blue or red coat appeared.--It was past one o'clock: John Bull must have his dinner. Lalor spoke of the want of arms and ammunition, requested that every one should endeavour to procure of both as much as possible, but did certainly not counsel or even hint that stores should be pressed for it.
A German blacksmith, within the stockade was blazing, hammering and pointing pikes as fast as his thick strong arms allowed him: praising the while his past valour in the wars of Mexico, and swearing that his pikes would fix red-toads and blue pissants especially. He was making money as fast any Yankee is apt on such occasions, and it was a wonder to look at his coarse workmanship, that would hardly stick an opossum, though
Mr. Rede, who had not failed to remark the abruptness with which Father Smyth had cut me short; joined both his hands, and with the stretched forefinger tapping me on both hands, which were clenched as in prayer, addressed to me these identical remarkable words, "My dear fellow, the licence is a mere watchword of the day, and they make a cat's-paw of you."
Mr. Black undertook my defence: he words above stuck in my throat, though.
Mr. Hackett, on being consulted, assented that Mr. Rede could promise us to take into consideration the present excited feelings of the diggers, and use his best judgment as to a further search for licences on the morrow.
Mr. Rede: "Yes, yes; but, understand me, gentlemen. I give no pledge."
The usual ceremonies being over, Sub-inspector Taylor kindly escorted us to the bridge, gave the pass-word, and to go--just as any one else will go in this land, who puts his confidence in red-tape--disappointed.
Chapter XLIII.
La Volpe Cambia Il Pelo, Ma Non La Pelle; Cambia La Pelle Il Serpe, Non Il Veleno: Il Cane Non Abbaia Col Ventre Pieno; Vestesi Il Lupo In Pecora Tra Liagnelle. Antica Storia; Ma Senza Gloria.
By this time, the main road was crowded. The men were anxiously waiting to know our success. Mr. Black calmed their excitement as kindly as circumstances admitted. We returned to our camp at the Eureka. Mr. Black rendered an account of our mission with that candour which characterises him as a gentleman. I wished to correct him in one point only, and said, my impression was, that the Camp, choked with red-coats, would quash Mr. Rede's 'good judgment,' get the better of his sense, if he had any of either, and that he would come out licence-hunting on an improved style.
Peter Lalor adjourned the meeting to five o'clock in the morning.
Chapter XLIV.
Accingere Gladio Tuo Super Femur Tuum.
On Friday, December 1st, the sun rose as usual. The diggers came in armed, voluntarily, and from all directions: and soon they were under drill, as the day before. So far as I know, not one digger had turned to work. It may have happened, that certain Cornishmen, well known for their peculiar propensity, of which they make a boast to themselves, to pounce within an inch of their neighbour's shaft, were not allowed to indulge in 'encroaching.' This, however, I assert as a matter of fact, that the Council of the Eureka Stockade never gave or hinted at any order to stop the usual work on the gold-field.
Towards ten o'clock, news reached our camp that the red coats were under arms, and there would be another licence-hunting.
The flames did not devour the Eureka Hotel with the same impetuosity as we got up our stockade. Peter Lalor gave the order: Vern had the charge, and was all there with his tremendous sword. "Wo ist der Raffaello! Du, Baricaden bauen," and all heaps of slabs, all available timber was soon higgledy-piggledy thrown all round our camp. Lalor then gave directions as to the position each division should take round the holes, and soon all was on the 'qui vive.'
Had Commissioner Rede dared to rehearse the farce of the riot-act cracking as on Gravel-pits, he would have met with a warm reception from the Eureka boys. It was all the go that morning.
No blue or red coat appeared.--It was past one o'clock: John Bull must have his dinner. Lalor spoke of the want of arms and ammunition, requested that every one should endeavour to procure of both as much as possible, but did certainly not counsel or even hint that stores should be pressed for it.
A German blacksmith, within the stockade was blazing, hammering and pointing pikes as fast as his thick strong arms allowed him: praising the while his past valour in the wars of Mexico, and swearing that his pikes would fix red-toads and blue pissants especially. He was making money as fast any Yankee is apt on such occasions, and it was a wonder to look at his coarse workmanship, that would hardly stick an opossum, though