receipts. Having no office and no safe, I had to carry a pair of saddle bags with me (to hold the gold) wherever I went, which was anything but agreeable.
“On November 28th, Harry Abbott, (another pioneer packer) arrived from the Grey, and there being nothing more for me to do I packed up and went with him to the Hohunu, a creek five miles from the Greenstone, which empties itself into the Taramakau. Here I got a canoe which took me to that river, and got out at a place called the Devil’s Elbow. This was a sharp turn in the river, where great skill had to be shown in handling the canoe, for a capsize in that spot meant sudden death, for under the high bluff was deep water, with numerous whirlpools. I did not care to risk it, so got out with my swag. From the bank it appeared as if nothing could save the canoe from being dashed to pieces against the bluff. She shot down the rapids at the rate of ten miles an hour, when, by the skilful handling of the man at the stern, she turned in a twinkling. I got in again and in a few minutes was safely landed at the mouth of the Taramakau.
“Learning at this township that the Nelson was in, and being most anxious to send my gold by her, I looked around for a pack-horse but could not get one; they had all left about an hour before. I was determined not to be beaten, so after getting something to eat and drink
