Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/118

 boulders we were digging out. Though but a trifling quantity, this unlooked-for success inspirited us, and, indeed, we stood in need of it.

"The constant work with the pick blistered our hands to such a degree that it was no uncommon thing for us to have the handles clammy with blood, whilst the pain was excruciating, and, in addition, the labour of throwing out the refuse stuff, joined to our working in so confined a space, made our arms, backs, and loins ache most fearfully. However, we kept each other up, and played our parts manfully, few words of complaint being heard, and those invariably with a laugh. Eight or nine days saw the bottom of this confounded stuff, and we anticipated plenty of success now that we had come to the clay —the gold formation par excellence. Digging out the clay, we set to work searching and washing, and though not in any great quantities, realized every day gold enough to keep us going on in good temper.

"Frankly and fairly speaking, the Colonial Government seem to be doing everything they can to compel the diggers to break into open revolt; and if they succeed, the worst will be for the authors of the movement. Eighty or one hundred thousand men are not easily set moving, but, once in motion, no barrier is strong enough to oppose the impetus of such a body.

"We continued washing and fossicking until we cleared our claim down to the slate stone beneath, carefully examining the surface of that formation for