n the
truth about "the place where the old horse died."

At length the forage-party arrives with the liquor, and there follows
the unholy sound of the drawing of corks.

By this time all Canvas Town has learnt what business is going forward
in "the Toffs' Shanty," and from both sides of the river the diggers
begin to assemble in anticipation of a "spree." Across the scarred,
disfigured valley, over the mullock-heaps, from every calico tent, from
out of every shaft, from the edge of the dark forest itself, bearded
men, toil-stained but smiling, bent on festivity, collect in Canvas
Town's one ramshackle street.

Between the calico shanties and along the miry, uneven ways, men stand
in groups, their conversation all of the luck of "the toffs." But around
the Office of the Gold League the crowd is greatest, and the cheers of
the members are echoed by the diggers outside.

Bill the Prospector and Moonlight are on guard at the door, for though
they have no interest in the League's claims, as owners of the two
richest patches on the field they stand hand-in-glove with the leaders
of that strong combination. Inside, Scarlett has risen to his feet, amid
prolonged cheering.

"We have not decided yet, gentlemen," he says, "whether we shall take
our dividends in gold or in cheques; and this causes me to allude to
a most disagreeable matter. It is well known that the agent of the
Kangaroo Bank has been robbed of a considerable amount of gold and
perhaps murdered, on his way between this field and Timber Town."

Suddenly the room is filled with groans, deep and sepulchral, which are
immediately repeated by the growing crowd outside.

"Evidently," continues Jack, "it is not safe for a man to travel with
gold on his person; I therefore wish to propose that payments be made by
cheque, and that all members not absolutely needed on the claims form
themselves into an escort to convey the gold to Timber Town. And when we
adjourn, I suggest that a meeting of all diggers on the field be called
for the purpose of forming a vigilance committee, for the detection and
suppression of crime on the diggings."

He sits down amid renewed cheering. This has barely subsided and the
long, thin young man, who appears to be a person of importance in the
League, has risen to speak, when a considerable disturbance occurs
outside.

During Scarlett's speech four mounted constables have wended their way
through the groups of diggers standing in the s