four o'clock
We avoided the road which led to Melbourne , and upon which some forty or fifty poor devils were working out their mining tax , and by a cut across the country , in the direction of Mount Tarrengower , were enabled to save some few miles of travel , as well as to avoid answering questions from those whom we met on the road . The latter is no slight labor , as every person on a journey to the mines is desirous of asking the latest news , and whether the gold is as abundant as ever . By ten o'clock we found that our animals began to suffer from the heat , and as our appetites were pretty well sharpened , we called a halt beneath the shadow of some gum trees , relieved our horses of their saddles , and wet their mouths with water , and after a hearty lunch , leaned back and smoked our pipes with delicious contentment , and without a thought of danger . We were soon unconscious of every thing around us , and did not awake until past four o'clock , when we once more resumed our journey , and by sundown we had gained a small brook within a few miles of Mount Alexander . Here we proposed to pass the night , and after watering the animals , and stalling them in a good piece of fresh grass , we began to make provision for rest . We had no desire to kindle a fire , for the country in which we were travelling was not entirely safe , and a light would have only attracted attention , which we were desirous of avoiding . `` For once , '' said Mr. Brown , as he arranged his saddle for a pillow , `` I feel as though I should rather regret meeting with bushrangers , for I have every thing to lose , and no honor to gain by a contest .