m his pipe
wreathed above his head. "I know those men--two bigger rogues never
breathed. They simply wanted to fleece you, and instead of that you gave
'em one in the eye. More power to you: it was immense! As for old Mr.
Crewe and his crowd, they were on the make too; but they are out of
court--there's no chance of them trying to renew your acquaintance. Now,
what you must do is to enjoy yourself quietly, and by-and-by get back to
your claim. But, for to-night, we'll have a good time--a little liquor,
a quiet game of cards, a bit of a talk, and perhaps a better
understanding."

"To speak the blanky truth," said the digger, "you're the whitest man
I've met. True, I've give myself away a bit, but you're the only man
ain't tried to do the pump-handle business with me."

"I'll buy all the gold you like to bring to town."

"Right! Here's my fist: you shall 'ave all I git."

The two men solemnly shook hands.

"Drink your liquor," said Tresco. "It'll do you good."

The digger drank, and re-lit his pipe.

"Now, what I says is that there's men I like to put in the way of a good
thing."

"Same here," said Benjamin.

"An' I say you've dealt honest by me, and I'll deal fair and open with
you."

"What I should expect," said Benjamin.

"I've found a good thing--more than I could ever want myself, if I lived
a hundred years. I intend to do the handsome to a few o' my pals."

"I'm one."

"You're one. First, I shall go back and do a bit more prospecting, and
see if I can better my claim. Then I shall come to town, and let my
mates into the know."

"Just so."

"By-and-by we'll slip out o' town, an' no man any the wiser. You can't
track _me_--I'm too smart, by long chalks."

Tresco's glass stood empty.

"We'll drink to it," he said, and rang the little hand-bell that stood
on the table.

Gentle Annie entered, with that regal air common to bar-maids who rule
their soggy realms absolutely.

"Well, old gentleman, same old tipple, I suppose," said she to Tresco.

"My dear, the usual; and see that it's out of the wood, the real Mackay.
And bring in some dice."

The two men sat quietly till the bar-maid returned.

Tresco rattled the dice, and threw a pair of fours. "No deception," he
said. "Are these the house's dice, my dear?"

"They're out of the bar," replied Gentle Annie.

"Are they in common use for throwing for drinks?"

"What d'you take me for? D'you think I know how to load dice?"

"My dear, this gen