The Upper Yackandanda, Ovens, Nov. 28th, 1853.

We struck our tent soon after the date of my last, quitted the banks of the Bendigo, and advanced once more on our journey to the Ovens. Mr. Berkeley and Mr. Duncan thought they should follow us in about six weeks, when the wool was all packed and despatched. Meantime a huge Irishman unexpectedly became the associate of our journey. This gentleman we met with at the tent of a highly respected friend of ours, who introduced him, stating that he was travelling in the colony, was anxious to go farther up the country, and would be glad to accompany us; that he had a horse, and would arrange with us for accommodation in our tent, and carriage of his trunk as far as the Ovens. Though averse to admitting any stranger into our tent and party, even as a mere fellow-traveller, from sufficient observation of the inconveniences arising from such associations in others, yet, to oblige our friend, we consented.

The new companion of our travels we shall call Lignum, the Irish Giant, for reasons that are sufficient, as the sequel may suggest. Lignum was, in fact, a gigantic fellow. He stood upwards of six feet three, and was largely and heavily built; so heavily, that he seemed to have considerable labour in lifting his ponderous body along by means of his elephantine legs.