Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/200



HE grandeur and splendour of Australian scenery, the smell of the gum-trees and the blue smoke wreathing upwards, the deep gullies and far horizons held for H. H. a romance and poetry that nothing else could ever rival. He loved the days of blue and gold sunshine, and above all the divine youth of the country and her people. "Ce sont les jours de notre jeunesse gut font le beau temps."

Australia proved a kind stepmother to H. H. as she has been to thousands upon thousands of young Englishmen. That much abused relationship should gain a newer meaning through the large-hearted generosity of Australia's welcome to all her stepsons.

Much of the romance of Australian life has died out with the coming of the railways and motor-cars.

When H. H. first arrived in Australia, bush-ranging was in full swing, and, although he had no experience of being "stuck up," he could well remember the excitement caused by the exploits of Captain Thunderbolt that were then on every one's lips.

There was a story current of an encounter between the notorious Captain Thunderbolt—whose real name was Frederick Ward—and a German band in Goonoo Goonoo gap. The German band pleaded so piteously for their money that Thunderbolt promised that if he should succeed in robbing the principal winner 158