Prospector rescued by dog

In the late 1850’s the “Flat” (Wattle Flat) was being worked by four to five thousand diggers, but now in 1867 “…there were then not above twelve or fourteen men left, and these were scattered about over a great extent of country, in parties of two’s and three’s. The flat, which extended about three miles, and the gullies around had been well worked…”

Myself & a mate (Fred Norton) where struggling to find payable gold. Instead of working together, we thought we might have a better chance working separately. Next day Fred went out alone to test some deserted claims while I continued working near our hut. Fred took his usual bucket, pick, pan, rope & candles, and I expected to see him back again in the afternoon.

Fred had not returned by sundown. “I now began to fear that something had happened to him, and determined to lose no time, but at once to set out in search of him. Upon reflection I thought it would be best to take someone with me. Hastily drinking a pannikin of tea. I went off to the nearest tent, about half a mile, Fortunately, I found both the men there. On hearing what had taken place, one offered to go with me at once, while the other went to collect the remainder of the diggers, promising to follow with them up the flat.” 

“We…commenced a careful examination of every hole, keeping a good lookout for the rope which we every moment expected to find upon some of the heaps of dirt, or what was more likely to see on one of the many windlasses still standing, but not a trace of him could we find. We were soon joined by the rest of the diggers, all similarly provided with ropes and picks, and it was agreed that we should form ourselves into parties of two each, and follow through amongst the holes in a line. The search was continued on in this manner until we arrived at the top of the flat, without success, as it was now very dark and unsafe to walk about amongst the holes.”

“Various were the opinions expressed as to the cause of Fred’s absence, but the general one was that he had fallen down a shaft (some of which were forty feet deep), and was either killed, or hurt so much that he could not get up again.”

The next day at dawn the search resumed “this time provided with some bread, tea, and a little brandy”. We closely inspected every hole without any trace of Fred. Then someone called out “He has been here”. We found that a sample of dirt  from a hole had been panned. Further inspection of the hole discovered a knife, which I immediately recognised as Fred’s. This was encouraging, but further searching revealed nothing more.

Then it occurred to me that Fred’s dog back at the hut might be of some assistance in the search. This dog named Spot, had a savage nature and was rarely let loose. We all agreed to give the dog a try. We put some of Fred’s clothes in heap & let Spot sniff them. Eventually Spot started searching around the hut, then started heading off up the flat, stopping at several holes. He then found the hole where we had previously found Fred’s knife. We then knew this might work. But Spot just wandered around this hole & then laid down. We were just about to start a detailed search of the hole, when Spot headed off into the bush at speed. “I heard the men say, “off to German Gully.” I now saw that he (Spot) was leading me in a direct line across the ridge for that gully, and my heart sank as I thought of the deep holes and rotten ground of the German’s Lead, as it was called.”

“On we went, but very slowly, and it was not till nearly sundown that we came to the bottom of the worked ground. Spot lead about amongst the holes in a very uncertain manner, now to the right, now the left, but still making up the gully.

The stars had now begun to show themselves, and I was becoming very impatient, when I saw an old windlass frame to which the dog was making. A moment more and we were at the hole, and there was our (Fred’s) rope and pan.

“I looked down the hole, but it was too dark to see the bottom. I pulled upon the rope, and found it was either fast or buried. To get a light and descend the hole was but the work of a few minutes. How I got down I know not. I was so anxious to know the fate or my friend. I soon saw that the side of the hole in the direction of the tunnel had fallen in, and I believed the tunnel also (fallen in).

Picks and buckets were soon at work, and worked by willing hands. We divided into parties, and I had scarcely been at work half an hour before I could hear Fred’s voice. I could not make out what he said for some time. At last I heard him say, “Work at the top of the cave.” We soon cleared a passage, and in less than an hour had Fred out in the hole. After giving him some tea and brandy we hoisted him up, as he was too cramped to stand. We proposed carrying him home, but he insisted upon trying to walk, which no doubt was best. On the way he told us that he got a very good prospect in the tunnel, which was only about ten feet in, and that he returned to drive out another; that there was a boulder in the roof of the drive out behind him which was in his way and that, while in the act of taking down some of the crown of the tunnel to make room, the boulder came down close to him, perfectly blocking up the passage, and at the same time, from the shock, the roof of the tunnel caved in, shutting out every ray of light.

He showed us his prospect-a four-ounce nugget and he expressed his determination to return and work the hole which had so nearly been his grave.”