This went on handsomely during four or five years.

Then all of a sudden came a smash.

Bills for a huge amount drawn by the governor upon the Treasury were dishonored, land company's credit went up in smoke, a panic followed, values fell with a rush, the frightened immigrants seized their gripsacks and fled to other lands, leaving behind them a good imitation of a solitude, where lately had been a buzzing and populous hive of men.
Adelaide was indeed almost empty; its population had fallen to 3,000.
During two years or more the death-trance continued.

Prospect of revival there was none; hope of it ceased.

Then, as suddenly as the paralysis had come, came the resurrection from it.