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Before proceeding with an account of our doings at the Eagle Hawk, I will give a slight sketch of the character and peculiarities of the diggings themselves, which are of course not confined to one spot, but are the characteristics that usually exist in any auriferous regions, where the diggers are at work.
It looked as if the attempt were going to fail, just as on the goldfields the Local Courts, by which since the Stockade the diggers governed themselves, were failing, because none could afford to spend his days sitting in them. Yet however high the discussion ran, he kept one ear turned towards his home. Here, things were at a standstill.
But, mind, if you do join the Joeys, I hope you'll be shot. I'd shoot the hull blessed lot of 'em if I had my way. They are nothin' but a pack of robbers." The hairy man knew something of current history and statistics, but he had not a pleasant way of imparting his knowledge. Picaninny Gully ended in a flat, thinly timbered, where there were only a few diggers.
It was then the refuge of the penniless, of broken-down vagabonds, and unlucky diggers. Lords and lags were equally welcomed without characters or references from their former employers, the Masters' and Servants' Act having become a dead letter. Hyde entered the Government service, and had the good sense to stay there.
Among the many geographical discoveries of the expedition was the demonstration of the existence of the Great Basin. Others are a degree higher and live in communities upon some lake or river from which they repulse the miserable Diggers.
"It is quite probable," I muttered to myself, "highly probable that they are not here! The squatter may have resisted the will of his Apostolic companion; and, separating himself from the Mormon party, have gone on with the diggers? No! yonder! Holt himself, as I live!" The exclamatory phrases were called forth by the appearance of a tall man in the opening between the waggons. It was Holt.
The first diggers who went there were said to have gathered vast quantities of gold; and when Frank and Joe arrived there was quite enough to repay hard work liberally. The miners did not work in companies there. Indeed, the form of the chasm did not admit of operations on a large scale being carried on at any one place.
It was a horrid sight, indeed; and it was some moments before I could recover sufficiently from my amazement to inquire who or what they were. I did so at length. "Los Yamparicos," answered the cibolero. "Who?" I asked again. "Los Indios Yamparicos, senor." "The Diggers, the Diggers," said a hunter, thinking that would better explain the strange apparitions.
If a digger came to purchase a pair of trousers or boots the bargain was never completed to the satisfaction of both parties without a glass of spirits at the adjacent grog shop to clinch it; and at night, when the diggers would drop round the latter for a glass, many pairs of breeches, boots, or other articles were disposed of under the happy influence of wine and company.
Seems to me that the diggers at Pine Tree Camp are a set of out-an'-out blackguards like most diggers except this poor thief of a fellow Brixton, so I vote for attackin' the camp, carryin' off all the gold we can lay hands on in the hurry-skurry, an' set this gentleman this thief Brixton free. He's a bold chap, I'm told by the redskin, an' will no doubt be glad to jine us.
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