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Our grit was up, and we said, "Don't give it up. We'd rather sleep on the bare earth than be charged with lack of courage." We started, and the journey of over two hundred miles in six days, averaging thirty-three miles a day. We had been told we could not cover over sixteen. The only guide we had was the sun and the track made by the small mail wagon, and this was often entirely obliterated. As we approached the settlement the last day, we saw hundreds of kangaroos, wallabys, emus, adjutant birds, magpies, and great kingfishers. The lagoons were filled with black swan, wild ducks, pelicans, etc., and flying overhead were flocks of cockatoos. At noon we usually stopped and searched for fresh water, which was to be found only in holes dug beneath the sand by the drovers, who were compelled to bring their cattle across the desert to find a market. These wells fill during the rainy season, but many of them become dry. Around them would be lying the bleached skeletons of poor beasts, no doubt killed by excessive drinking after too long a thirst.

The last day we journeyed thirty miles, and reaching the Murray River were ferried across to Wellington, a miserable little village half buried in sand. After performing in ten different towns, we arrived at Adelaide on August 8. We performed in the town hall, a magnificent building, for one week; it seated two thousand persons, and was filled at every entertainment.

In going from Portland to Belfast we forded a river and had an exciting experience, as we came near being drowned. It was a dangerous undertaking, and our employees expressed their fears, so Mr. Bleeker said he would not insist upon their accompanying us. I had faced many perils and was anxious to try this new excitement. We left Portland about four o'clock in the morning, and drove twenty miles before we came to the river. It was about one-eighth of a mile wide, with a strong current, and evidently deep, being swollen by the rains.

The actions and remarks of our guide were not very encouraging. He gazed up and down the river, and hesitatingly said, "It is greatly swollen."

"Are you sure you know the ford?" inquired Mr. Bleeker.

"Positive," replied he.

Mr. Bleecker looked at us and asked, "Are you afraid to venture?"

"I'll go if you go," said Mrs. Bleeker.

"And we'll go wherever you go," said Minnie and myself.

"All right " said the General and Commodore; we're no cowards."

"We'll go," said Mr. Bleeker, and helped us into the coach. "Now mount and go ahead," said he to the guide, who did so, we following. We advanced, each moment deeper and deeper, until our coach was submerged and the water covered the floor. The driver, with failing heart, pulled up. This was the deepest water flowing over the bar.

"Urge them! Urge the horses!" -- shouted the guide. The driver plied his whip about the horses' heads; but, half swimming, they scarcely had power to move the coach. It was a critical moment. With a tremendous effort at length they succeeded and we slowly emerged, and shortly afterward stood upon terra firma. We all remained silent during the passage, although we were caged like rats in a trap, with no chance of escape or rescue if we had rolled off the bar.

We opened at Sydney on October 4, and performed for a season of three weeks with immense success, after which we proceeded to the north, visiting a large number of towns.

While at Sydney the Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of Victoria, visited us several times at the hotel. The evening before our departure he honored us with his company at supper. His equerry, Sir Elliot York, accompanied him, and they remained with us until early morning. He complimented us with the remark that he had rarely passed so delightful an evening.

Minnie's triumph began when the Duke invited her to the ball given in his honor by the Governor General. Minnie looked on it as a joke, and accepted in high glee, going in costume as "Little Red Riding Hood," while Commodore Nutt went as "Dandy Pat," a character less widely known, but excited much at that time. The two excited much attention; so much, especially after the Duke had danced several times with Minnie, that he carefully escorted her to the royal box to secure her from intrusion. She excited much envy and some jealousy; but with the impulsive independence of her American birthright, she ignored it all, and danced and flirted with the Duke, to his great delight. I tried to subdue her a little, but it was no use. She saw her opportunity and made the most of it, laughing to scorn the chidings of "old married people."

She and the Duke became great friends, and when on one occasion he found her making lemonade at some gathering he avowed his intention of having some of that lemonade, though it invariably hurt him; to which Minnie laughingly, replied that it would be quite in keeping with her republican principles to "knock out" a possible King. Minnie's aptitude for slang was a source of constant anxiety to Mrs. Bleeker and myself. The crumbs of royal attention which fell to my share were only to act as Minnie's chaperon, and occasionally to sing while the Duke played my accompaniments.