Page:Banking Under Difficulties- Or Life On The Goldfields Of Victoria, New South Wales And New Zealand (1888).pdf/63

54 who had to take a “shake-down.” However, I was not so badly off after all, as I invariably got a middle berth, so that I was always sure of a fair share of the bed-clothes. A few weeks after I went there I was fortunate enough to secure a stretcher, which I retained possession of until I took up my quarters, in August, in the new bank, which I shall describe presently.

Sunday I found to be the busiest day in the week. Diggers came into town on that day to meet their friends, and to make their purchases; publichouses were open and doing a roaring trade. Business (I was going to say “in all its branches;” I won’t say that, however, as the banks were always closed) was carried on the same as any other day.

I had not been at Kiandra many days when Yates went to Adelong, a township about seventy miles distant, where we had an agency. I took the opportunity of his absence to get a fireplace erected, which made the place a little more comfortable.

We had no safe in which to put our treasure, which had, in consequence, to be carried to and from the camp (three-quarters of a mile distant) night and morning. This pleasing duty fell to the lot of Swain and myself. We would go to the camp in the morning, between nine and ten o’clock, and bring with us what notes and coin would be required during the day. This we put in a pair of saddle-bags, leaving the remaining portion of the cash and the bullion purchased in another pair of saddle-bags, not in an iron safe, as one would imagine (the camp authorities had no safe), but under one of the commissioner’s bunks, where it was oftentimes left for hours without a soul being near the place. Strange as it may seem—for this style of things was just offering a premium for someone about to help themselves—we never lost a penny, which speaks volumes for the honesty of the police and others in the employ of the Government. Our day’s work ended we would put whatever cash we had remaining, and the bullion purchases for the day, into the saddle-bags, and take them back to the place of safety (i.e., under the commissioner’s bunk). One evening as Swain and I were going to the camp we saw three men approaching us, very suspicious-looking characters. We consulted as to what we had better do, and we agreed to part company, he, with the saddle-bags on his back, going to the right, and I to the left. We were both armed, and agreed, should any of them attempt to follow either of us, to draw our revolvers, and, if necessity required, use them, of course each taking care to get out of the line of fire. The men evidently saw we suspected something, and were prepared, so they passed between us without the slightest attempt in any way to interfere with us. That evening we learnt that their intention was to bail us up; but, seeing we were prepared, they determined to leave it alone till the following day. A conversation to that effect was overheard during the evening, information of which was given to the police.