led, and others had been successful, and
follow, with such modifications as circumstances might require, the
example of the latter. We each carried a knapsack with provisions, and
a cloak to sleep in at night; said Charley, who was a good shot, had a
gun, that he might kill a kangaroo, or any other animal we might fall in
with, for food. We each of us had also a pocket compass, without which
no man should attempt to travel in a new country like Australia.

My wife and daughters seemed very anxious when we were all ready and
about to set out, but I reminded them that we were only just going to do
what we had come all the way from England to do, and that there were no
wild beasts or other dangers that I knew of to fear. "Oh, but there are
those hideous black men, father," exclaimed Susan; "do take care of
them, for I am sure that they look as if they would do any mischief."

"No fear," answered Charley, "they look worse than they are, and we
shall be able to manage any number of them, even if they should take it
into their heads to play us tricks. Mary is not afraid, you see." Mary
looked as if she thought Charley would be able, with his single arm, to
put to flight a whole host of blacks. Those we had seen, though ugly
enough, were not very terrific-looking fellows. We heard, however, that
away from Sydney, where the white settlers had found some blacks
pilfering, and had shot them dead, the survivors had retaliated, and
murdered two or three white men.

As horses were at that time very dear, I did not wish to purchase any
for our journey, and none were to be hired. We had therefore to trudge
forward on foot. One thing we wanted, and that was a guide who knew the
nature of the country, the best mode of traversing it, and where farms
were situated. Unaccustomed to walking, we felt very weary the first
day of our journey as night approached, and yet no house appeared in
sight. We were travelling along a high road made by convicts. The
worst characters were employed on the roads, a labour which they
especially detested. They were generally doubly convicted felons. They
were worked in chains, but sometimes even then they broke away, and,
taking to the bush, robbed every one they met, and murdered those who
resisted them.

We thought at last that we should have to camp out, instead of getting
the shelter of a roof, which we had expected to do. Just, however, as
we were about to stop, a light appeared ahead.