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Updated: June 1, 2025
We leave the retail robbery to meaner villains. We had the horses that quiet by this time that we could drive them the rest of the way to the Turon by ourselves. We didn't want to be too big a mob at Barnes's house. Any one might come in accidental, and it might get spread about. So after supper Warrigal was sent back; we didn't want his help any more, and he might draw attention.
He, indeed, after taking a prominent part in all the humours of the vast social gathering by which the Turon miners celebrated their annual games, disappeared with the almost magical mystery which has already marked his proceedings.
We would have backed him to take in the devil himself, if he saw him, let alone goldfields police, if Sergeant Goring wasn't about. The second day Jim and I were driving quietly and easy on the road, the colts trotting along as steady as old stock horses, and feeding a bit every now and then. We knew we were getting near the Turon, so many tracks came in from all parts, and all went one way.
Seeing how good-looking Jeanie was thought, and how all the swells kept crowding round to get a look at her, if she was near the bar, Kate wanted to have a ball and show her off a bit. But she wouldn't have it. She right down refused and close upon quarrelled with Kate about it. She didn't take to the glare and noise and excitement of Turon at all.
Where is there in the elaborate histories of Rusden, Lang, Blair, and Flanagan, or in any of the numerous books of sketches and reminiscences written by persons who have visited or temporarily resided in Australia, a view of the picturesque variety, colour, and splendid energy of the great first race for gold to compare with that given in the second volume of The Miner's Right, or with the memorable account of what Starlight and the Marstons saw at Turon during their temporary retirement from the highway?
Hard work from daylight to dark, with every now and then a big find to sweeten it, when a man could see as much money lying at his foot, or in his hand, as a year's work no, nor five hadn't made for him before. No wonder people were not in a hurry to call out for change in a place like the Turon in the year 1850! The first night put the stuns on us.
'Much obliged, sir, says Joe, touching his hat. 'Come inside and I'll give you the cheque. 'Quite unnecessary now, says Starlight; 'but as I'm acting for a friend, it may be as well. We saw him pocket the cheque, and ride slowly over to the bank, which was half-tent, half-bark hut. We didn't think it safe to stay on the Turon an hour longer than we were forced to do.
I had been happy enough there, God knows; and perhaps I was looking at it all for the last time. As I turned and made down the hill into the black forest that spread below me like the sea, I felt as if I was leaving everything that was any good in life behind with the Turon lights, and being hunted once more, in spite of myself, into a desert of darkness and despair.
'Come, come, governor, says Starlight, 'none of that. We've got quite enough devil in us yet, without your stirring him up. You must give us time, you know. Let's see what this paper says. "Turon Star"! What a godsend to it!
Well, the day went over at last, and all of them that liked a little fun and dancing better than heavy drinking made it up to go to the race ball. It was a subscription affair guinea tickets, just to keep out the regular roughs, and the proceeds to go to the Turon Jockey Club Fund.
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