The Red-Tape Was By Far Too Cunning This Time; Redcoats, Traps And Troopers
Had Retired To The Ballaarat Camp, And Wanted A 'spell.'
We determined, however, to put an end to their accursed licence-hunting,
mock riot-act chopping, Vandemonian shooting down our mates in Gravel-pits.
Chapter XXXV.
Ad Opus Concilium Statutum.
Peter Lalor, at our request, called in all the captains of division,
then present, and the chief persons who had taken part in the movement.
We entered a room some twelve feet square, in Diamond's store. An old
European fox for such occasions, I took the right sort of precautions,
that no spy might creep in among us. Black bottles and tumblers were placed on
the table, as a blind to any intruder; 'et nunc satis, profani vulgus causa,'
we proceeded to business.
Present -
1. There was one, whom it is not prudent to mention just now.
2. Near him was a thick, short-necked, burly individual; his phisiog
indicated at once that he was a priest-ridden. I won't trouble myself
about his name.
3. I'll begin with TIMOTHY HAYES. He was born in Ireland, but his outward
appearance is that of a noble fellow - tall, stout, healthy-looking man,
giving himself the airs of a high-born gentleman, fit to rule, direct,
superintend, not to work; that's quite another thing. Of a liberal mind,
however, and, above all, of a kind heart, and that covers a multitude of sins.
4. EDWARD THONEN, a native of Elbertfeld, Prussia, five feet high,
some thirty years old, thin, but robust, of vigorous health, used no razor.
His eyes spoke determination and independence of character. One day
in November, 1853, he called with his lemonade kegs at my hole in
Sailor's Gully. A mate was served with a glass of lemonade - halloo!
he must help at the windlass just at the moment he was tendering payment,
and the shilling fell to the ground. Some words passed to the effect
that six-pence a glass should be enough for lemonade. Thonen asked
for his shilling; my mate directed him where the shilling lay; Thonen
would see him d - - d first before picking up his money like a dustman,
and went away. I sent that identical shilling (stamped 1844), along with
my little gold, to Rome; most astonishing! I had the presentiment at the time
that I should have had occasion to relate the story. There was no mate
on the gold-fields to match Thonen at chess-playing. He would turn his head,
allow his opponent the move, and then he would give such a glance
on the chess board, that the right piece would jump to the right place,
as it were of its own accord. Shrewd, yet honest; benevolent, but scorning
the knave; of deep thought, though prompt in action; Thonen possessed the head
belonging to that cast of men whose word is their bond.
5. JOHN MANNING, born in Ireland, and an Irishman to the back-bone,
appeared above forty years of age.
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