AustLit

Family adventure and romance on the Victorian diggings. Four poor prospecting mates, the two Bird brothers and Marston, a Yorkshire agitator and his son Will, strike gold during a very hot summer. Their riches bring some troubles as Will, the son, falls in with loose companions and when he proposes to Lena the sweet and beautiful daughter of one of the Birds, she agrees to become engaged but not to marry him until he has proven himself a reliable man. Will's brother George who has a share in the mine and also loves Lena is filled with jealousy and hatred - and pushes Will into a 100 foot mine shaft in his rage. He fears he has killed Will and after several months disappears, to the relief of Lena and his mother who suspected his crime. Years later he and Will meet in New Zealand when George is sick with fever, and are reconciled as he returns to life. Will returns home with the proceeds of his lucky mining in NZ, and with George. Lena and his mother, fallen on bad times through the mine failing and father's drinking, welcome them home, marriage follows. Happiness at last. Very biblical in parts, also warm, strong and interesting. NB: Catholic religiosity present, but not overtly; repeated technical details of crushing process of quartz rock, etc. (PB)