CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. OLD FRIENDS IN MELBOURNE, . . 1
II. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE, . . . 9
III. FLETCHER ACTS SUSPICIOUSLY, . . 18
IV. A TIMELY RESCUE, . . . . . 26
V. STARTING FOR THE MINES, . . . 31
VI. A NIGHT INCIDENT, . . . . . 40
VII. PARTING COMPANY, . . . . . 49
VIII. A VICTIM OF TREACHERY, . . . 58
IX. A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE, . . . 66
X. FLETCHER TURNS UP AGAIN, . . . 74
XI. TAKEN CAPTIVE, . . . . . . 83
XII. THE HOME OF THE BUSHRANGERS, . 91
XIII. A TRIAL AND ITS TRAGIC FINALE . 100
XIV. ELECTION OF A NEW CAPTAIN, . . 108
XV. LOST IN THE WOODS, . . . . . 118
XVI. THE SHEPHERD'S HUT, . . . . 125
XVII. A WELCOME IN THE WILDS, . . . 134
XVIII. A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE, . . 142
XIX. A RUFFIAN FOILED, . . . . . 151
XX. THE BOYS ARRIVE AT BENDIGO, . . 130
XXI. BUYING A CLAIM, . . . . . . 168
XXII. STRIKING LUCK, . . . . . . 177
XXIII. RAISING THE NUGGET, . . . . 186
XXIV. THE NUGGET IN DANGER, . . . . 194
XXV. THE MIDNIGHT ROBBERY, . . . . 202
XXVI. A THIEF'S EMBARRASSMENT, . . . 210
XXVII. BAFFLED CUPIDITY, . . . . . 219
XXVIII. THE NUGGET IN SAFETY, . . . . 227
XXIX. SELLING THE CLAIM, . . . . . 235
XXX. THE Two CONSPIRATORS, . . . . 244
XXXI. TAKEN CAPTIVE, . . . . . . 253
XXXII. OBED IN A TIGHT PLACE, . . . 262
XXXIII. THE TABLES ARE TURNED, . . . 271
XXXIV. FAREWELL TO MELBOURNE, . . . 279
XXXV. SOME OLD ACQUAINTANCES, . . . 288
XXXVI. A HEART-BROKEN RELATIVE, . . . 293
XXXVII. HOME AGAIN, . . . . . . . 300
XXXVIII. THE BOYS' SECURE POSITIONS, . . 307
XXXIX. CONCLUSION, . . . . . . . 314
IN A NEW WORLD.
CHAPTER I.
OLD FRIENDS IN MELBOURNE.
A stout gentleman of middle age and two boys were sitting in the public
room of a modest inn in Melbourne. The gentleman was known to the public
as Professor Hemmenway, who announced himself on the programme of his
entertainment as "The Magician of Madagascar," though he freely
confessed to his confidential friends that he had never seen the island
of that name.
The two boys were Harry Vane and Jack Pendleton, American boys of
sixteen. One had come to Australia as assistant to the professor, and
had been accustomed to sing one or two popular songs at the magical
entertainments which he gave, besides rendering himself generally
useful. Jack Pendleton was a young sailor, who had resolved to try his
fortune in the new country, either at the mines or in any other
employment offering fair compensation, before resuming his profession.
Harry and the professor had been passengers on board Jack's ship, and
the two boys had struck up an enduring friendship. The ship had been
wrecked, and they had spent some weeks together on an uninhabited
island, from which they were finally rescued, as related in a preceding
story, "Facing the World." It had been the professor's intention to give
a series of performances in Melbourne and other parts of Australia, but
the unexpected delay had led him to change his plans, and he now
proposed to return to America at once. Harry Vane, however, having no
near family ties, for he was an orphan, felt inclined to stay with Jack,
and try his luck for a time in the New World, which appealed strongly to
his imagination and youthful love of adventure. The day had arrived for
the professor's departure, and he and the two boys were waiting for the
lighter to take him down the Yarra Yarra River to the point of
embarkation, eight miles distant.
"Harry," said the professor kindly, "I don't like to leave you here. You
are only sixteen, and I feel that it is a great undertaking for you to
attempt to make a living so many thousand miles from your native land. I
shall feel anxious about you."
"I don't feel anxious about myself, professor," said Harry, with the
confidence natural to youth. "I am young and strong, and I mean to
succeed."
"But suppose you fall sick?"
"Then Jack will look out for me."
"You may be sure of that, Harry," said the young sailor, with a glance
of affection at Harry.
"You might both fall sick."
"Is it best to borrow trouble?" said Harry, smiling. "I think we shall
come out all right.
