Fires were lighted and kettles soon boiling, and the smell of burning
meat, as it crackled on the coals, made not only the hound but the weary
guard look with eager eyes for the call to breakfast.

CHAPTER XVII.

TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO MELBOURNE.

In spite of the intense heat and dust which greeted our arrival at
"Boomerang stream," we managed to sleep for a few hours, and then, after
a bath in the river, felt somewhat refreshed, and were anxious to
proceed on our journey. The sun was too high, however, and the plains
too heated to induce Murden to consent, so Fred and myself went on an
excursion through the various camps near us, and after much hard work we
were fortunate enough to get hold of a Boston paper, and then selecting
the most secluded spot that we could find, and the freest from dust, we
read to each other all the items of interest, and then commenced on the
advertisements, which latter we finished just as Michael called us to
supper.

Each party camped on the bank of the stream, had a fire burning, and the
never-failing dish of coffee preparing for their evening meal. Parties
of men were searching for their cattle, and driving them in, preparatory
to a start; and a scene of confusion, it appeared to me, seemed
inevitable; but to my surprise the oxen walked slowly towards the carts
to which they belonged, and submitted to having yokes placed wound their
necks, without that resistance which I had anticipated.

The sun had hardly disappeared before the first cart started on its
long journey for Ballarat. Another and another followed, and in a short
time we were the sole occupants of the camping ground.

In a few minutes after we had wished success to the last party that
crossed the stream our horses were saddled, and once more we resumed our
journey for Melbourne.

Nothing of general interest occupied our attention until we were within
a few miles of the city, when Murden sent one of his men forward to
announce his arrival to the captain of police, and to confide to him the
success which had attended his enterprise.

Maurice, the person sent, must have imparted the news to a dozen
friends, and they, probably, in turn told it to every one they met, for
just as we came in sight of the city, we were surprised to witness a
vast concourse of people on the road.

Some were on foot, and some on horseback, and every description of
vehicle in Melbourne appeared to have been pressed into speedy servi