Australian Tales - Setis

of my life, and the prop and support of my tottering age. To part with
you is more than my poor unassisted nature could do, but I have received
strength from above, Davy. My heart trusted in God and I am helped;
and am enabled to bow submissively to what I believe to be God's will.’
The dear old soul could not wholly conquer nature though, for she then
gave vent to a flood of tears, though she seemed smiling all the while. I
struggled manfully against betraying weakness, but it was no use, sir, and
presently I burst out crying too, and our sobbing and shouts of ‘praise
God,’ were heard in the village smithy, and would you believe it, sir? the
wicked old blacksmith told the tapster next door that I was tipsy, and was
giving my poor old mother a good beating before I went to Botany Bay.
“Next morning I was up before the sun, and hastened across the fields
to the old churchyard, and dropped a silent tear on the graves of my
father and sister. Then I crossed the wood, cut this hazel stick on my
way, sir, took a last look at Nanny's house, and at old Dame Tingle's
school, stopped at the brook to take a long drink, and to fill my waistcoat
pockets with pebbles, which are carefully preserved in yonder cabinet;
then returned home damp with dew, to eat my last breakfast under my
mother's thatch. I pass over the tender scene of parting with my mother,
sir, for I do not think I can trust myself to tell it. At nine o'clock I
mounted the London mail coach, and in ten minutes more my swimming
eyes took a last fond glimpse of Beechwood, my native village.”
The old gentleman's voice here grew husky, and he paused in his
narrative to polish his spectacles; so I took that opportunity to make a
few remarks to his affectionate spouse. She smiled, and with a half
coquettish glance at her husband, said, “Ah, poor fellow, he did not know
how eagerly I was watching him that morning from my bed-room
window, and what I was suffering. As the coach descended the hill out of
my sight, such a cloud of sorrow burst upon me that my poor racked
mind was almost overwhelmed. I threw myself on my knees, and had
such a cry; while I sobbed out prayers to God for comfort. I shall never
forget, sir, the help I received in that time of need. I seemed to be
directed to my little text book, and on opening it I read the consoling
words, ‘Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ My heavy
load of anguish began to diminish at once, and I cried with happiness. In
half an hour I descended to my dairy work with my heart full of hope.”
“Ten days after that I was on shipboard bound for Sydney, Mr.
Boomerang,” continued Mr. Dovecott, who had recovered his natural
tone of voice, and lost the ominous tinge from the tip of his nose. “It
would not interest you much to give you the particulars of our voyage; to
tell how we were dismasted and had to put into Rio, how we ran short of
water, then short of provisions, and other mishaps and miseries which
were common enough in those days, when ships trading here were of a
much poorer class in every way than the ships of the present day. Suffice