Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/116

 the space allotted, and as there was still some time of the day left, resolved to clear off the superincumbent soil, which, though in many instances yielding gold, is rarely worth much trouble, the lower strata being far richer, and the gold more easily obtainable.



"A couple of hours' hard work carried us down nearly three feet through the soil, and by this time we felt the want of food and rest, and resolved not to make any attempt upon the gravel, which now showed itself. We accordingly shouldered our tools and mended our way back, praying devoutly that supper would be ready. As for my back, I verily believed I should never stand upright again during life, I felt so stiff from continuous stooping, shovelling out the earth, and the others were all much of a muchness. All around the diggers were