Page:Old Westland (1939).pdf/207

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Chapter XV

S.S. Nelson Arrives at Hokitika—The Christmas Party—Rush for Business Sites—Gold Everywhere—End of 1864.

Portrait of Michael Cassius, early storekeeper and postmaster in Hokitika.
Michael Cassius
As soon as Walmsley rode up and said he was going to the Greenstone, I saddled Nobby, took my saddle-bags into the bedroom, unlocked the safe, took out what notes and coins I wanted, strapped up the saddlebags, put them on the pony, and away. It so happened that I was particularly busy on this trip, both on Saturday and Sunday. As usual I took up quarters at Tracy’s. On Monday we rode to Hohuna and found such a fresh in the river that we could not proceed on our journey. That night we stayed at Everest’s. About an hour after I went to bed, I put my hand in my breeches’ pocket (for let it be known I always slept with my breeches on and ofttimes in my boots), and missed the key of my safe. I felt first in one pocket, then in another. I lay for some time trying to remember when I had it