The night was very dark; and no one could see from what side a tree might at any moment come crashing. A space of ground, out of reach of the fallen trunks, was not to be found on the gold-field. The consequence was, that thirteen people were killed for certain; and many more severely injured, all through the falling of the trees. But the number of fatal accidents, caused by the hurricane of that night, was probably never known. The night was one of horror and fear to more than eight thousand people--each of whom knew not the minute that death might be his portion. A miner and his wife, while endeavouring to escape to a place of safety, were crushed under the same tree. Had they remained in their tent, they would have escaped uninjured! But what was still more singular in this unfortunate incident; the woman, when struck by the tree, was carrying a child, which received not the slightest injury, while both the parents were killed on the spot! The day after the storm, Mount Blackwood presented a very forlorn appearance. Hundreds of trees had been prostrated by the wind; and nearly every tent had been thrown down. Ever since that night, I can understand the fear, that some sailors entertain, of _a storm upon land_. I had very little success in gold digging at Mount Blackwood; but while there, an incident occurred that was interesting to me; so much so, as to be deserving of a place among these my adventures. I expect to die some time; but fervently hope and pray, that my existence may not be terminated by _suffocation_--either by means of a rope, or otherwise. I profess to have a horror of that mode of death: for the simple reason that I have made trial of it, and found the sensation anything but pleasant. While at Mount Blackwood, I worked a claim in company with three others. I was taken into this partnership, by a man I had known at Ballarat. He went by the name of "Yorkey"--from his being a Yorkshireman--and was the only one of the "firm" with whom I formed much acquaintance. I was at work in a tunnel of the claim, where we had not used sufficient caution in supporting the top of the tunnel with timber. Although the shaft was not a wide one, the earth being a little damp, and composed of loose shingle, required propping up. As I had neglected this, about a cart load of the shingle fell down, burying me completely under it. The weight upon my limbs was so great, that I could not move them; and I lay as if I had been chained to the spot. At the time, two of my mining partners were also below, working in another part of the tunnel. Of course they heard the little earthquake, and came to my assistance. The task of digging me out, proved more difficult than they expected: for there was not room for both my mates to work at the same time-- besides, they could not handle either pick or shovel to any great effect, lest they might injure my limbs.