ation with the din of his bell. Subsequently, after the manner of
his kind, and in a thin nasal voice, he proclaimed as follows:--"Five
hundred pound reward--Five hundred pound reward.--It being
believed--that a foul murder has been committed--on the persons
of--Isaac Zahn, Peter Heafy, William Johnson, James Kettle--citizens of
Timber Town--a search-party will be formed--under the leadership of Mr.
Charles Caxton--volunteers will be enrolled at the Town Hall--a large
reward being offered--for the apprehension of the murderers--Five
hundred pound--Five hundred pound!"

He then tucked his bell under his arm and walked off, just as
unconcernedly as if he were advertising an auction-sale.

By this time a crowd of two or three hundred people had assembled. A
chair was brought from The Lucky Digger, and upon this a stout man
clambered to address the people. But what with his vehemence and
gesticulations, and what with the smallness of his platform, he stepped
to the ground several times in the course of his speech; therefore a
lorry, a four-wheeled vehicle not unlike a tea-tray upon four wheels,
was brought, and while the orator held forth effusively from his new
rostrum, the patient horse stood between the shafts, with drooping head.

This pompous person was succeeded by a tall, upright man, with the
bearing of a Viking and the voice of a clarion. His speech was short and
to the point. If he had to go alone, he would search for the missing
men; but he asked for help. "I am a surveyor," he said. "I knew none of
these men who are lost or murdered, but I appeal to those of you who are
diggers to come forward and help. I appeal to the townsfolk who knew
young Zahn to rally round me in searching for their friend. I appeal
for funds, since the work cannot be done without expense; and at the
conclusion of this meeting I shall enrol volunteers in the Town Hall."

He stood down, and Mr. Crewe rose to address the crowd, which had now
assumed such proportions that it stretched from pavement to pavement of
the broad street. All the shops were closed, and people were flocking
from far and wide to the centre of the town.

"Men of Timber Town," said Mr. Crewe, "I'm not so young as I was, or I
would be the first to go in search of these missing men. My days as a
bushman are over, I fear; but I shall have much pleasure in giving L20
to the expenses of the search-party. All I ask is that there be no more
talking, but prompt action. These