It was formed on Bakery-hill, and received Lalor
on the stump with acclamation. It increased hourly and permanently;
was the strongest division in the Eureka stockade; in comparison to others,
it stood the most true to the 'Southern Cross,' and consequently suffered
the greatest loss on the morning of the massacre. Now, to explain how both
its gallant leaders escaped unhurt, safe as the Bank, so that a few weeks
afterwards, both were working happy and jolly in broad day-light
on Gravel-pits, within a rifle shot from the Camp, that would be a job
of a quite different kind just at present: sufficient the trouble to mention;
that when I came out of gaol, I met them both in a remunerative hole
in Gravel-pits, as aforesaid.
11. 12. There were two other individuals of the John-bull caste,
perhaps cross-breed, who had taken up arms in the cause of the diggers,
because their sly-trade was flagging; but, as a rotten case abides no handling,
I will let them pass.
Manning, handed over to Lalor the motion drawn up in my tent. Here it is:-
Proposed by John Manning,
Seconded by Carboni Raffaello,
I. That Peter Lalor has acted worthy of the miners of Ballaarat,
in organizing the armed men on Bakeryhill, against the wanton aggression
from the Camp this morning.
II. That he be desired to call in all captains of division now present
on the spot, as well as other persons of importance, well-known good-wishers
to the cause of the diggers.
III. That said parties constitute the council-of-war for the defence.
IV. Lalor to be the president pro. tem.
V. That he proceed at once to the election of the Commander-in-Chief,
by the majority of votes.
Lalor tore up immediately the slip of paper containing the above motion,
because he did not think it prudent to leave written things about in a
public store. I transcribe it from the scrap left among the papers in my tent.
Chapter XXXVI.
Quousque Tandem Abutere, Toorak, Patientia Nostra?
Lalor rose, and said:
"Gentlemen, I find myself in the responsible position I now occupy,
for this reason. The diggers, outraged at the unaccountable conduct
of the Camp officials in such a wicked licence-hunt at the point
of the bayonet, as the one of this morning, took it as an insult
to their manhood, and a challenge to the determination come to at
the monster meeting of yesterday. The diggers rushed to their tents for arms,
and crowded on Bakery-hill. They wanted a leader. No one came forward,
and confusion was the consequence. I mounted the stump, where you saw me,
and called on the people to 'fall in' into divisions, according to
the fire-arms they had got, and to chose their own captains out of the best men
they had among themselves.
