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Gold Rush

William continues his journey into the new frontier of the Australian gold fields. Left behind by the Lady Grace, he leaves his shipmates and strikes out on his own, hoping to find gold he heard is there for the taking.

Sometimes with luck on his side, he discovers that gold is not ever plentiful and diggers find more trouble than gold. Dangers abound for everyone and life can sometimes be cheap in the harsh and unforgiving Australian gold fields.

Gold is the magnet for William, but Australia proves a challenge. Heat, dust, flies, and mosquitoes test forbearance while snakes are an ever-present danger and an implacable Government is determined to exact its share from the gold.

William is caught up in the confrontation between the diggers and authority as patience is exhausted on both sides and a bloody fight is inevitable.

Peter Clarke is only one of many Australians who are intrigued by the stories of those immigrants who helped create a nation. Where did they come from? Why did they come? Why did they stay?

Born in Mudgee and raised in the Blue Mountains, Peter is familiar with the challenges of drought and fire, but these challenges are nothing compared to those faced by the early pioneers.

A working life in the computer industry has not in any way prepared Peter to write about the pioneers. However, a lively interest in early Australia and an adequate Irish heritage has contributed to a curiosity that has only been in part satisfied by several trips to Ireland, but also by an ability to use the new technology to surf world history and events and create a story of one man’s journey to reflect the difficulties of the time.