ow of 'em. An' what does 'e git?--Jahroh."

Here the speaker was interrupted by cries, approving his ruling in the
matter.

"He come to give Justice a show to git her voice 'eard, and what's 'e
find?--a prison." Bill paused here for effect, which followed
immediately in the form of deep and sepulchral groans.

"Now I arsk you, ain't there plenty real criminals in this part o' the
world without freezin' on to the likes of _us_? But the Law's got a down
on diggers. What did the police know of this Dolphin gang? Nothing.
But they collared Mr. Scarlett, and was in a fair way to scrag 'im, if
Justice hadn't intervened. Who have you to thank for that?--a digger, my
mate Tresco. Yes, but the Law don't thank 'im, not it; it fastens on to
the very bloke that stopped it from hangin' the wrong man."

Here there arose yells of derision, and one digger, more vociferous than
his fellows, was heard to exclaim, "That's right, ole man. Give 'em
goss!"

The crowd now stretched across the broad street and blocked all traffic,
in spite of the exertions of a couple of policemen who were vainly
trying to disperse Bill's audience.

"Now I want to know what you're goin' to do about it," continued the
Prospector. "All this shoutin' an' hoorayin' is very fine, but I don't
see how it helps my mate in the lock-up. I want to know what you're
goin' to _do_!"

He paused for an answer, but there was none, because no one in the vast
assembly was prepared to reply.

"Then," said the Prospector, "I'll tell you what. I want six men to go
down to the port for a ship's hawser, a thick 'un, a long 'un. I want
those men to bring that there hawser, and meet me in front of the Police
Station; an' we'll see if I can show you the way to manage the Law."

The concourse surged wildly to and fro, as men pushed and elbowed their
way to the front.

"Very good," said Bill, as he surveyed the volunteers with the eye of a
general; "you'll do fine. I want about ten chain o' rope, thick enough
and strong enough to hold a ship. Savee?"

The men detailed for this special duty answered affirmatively, seized
upon the nearest "express," and, clambering upon it, they drove towards
the sea amidst the cheering of the crowd.

The Prospector now despatched agents to beat up all the diggers in the
town, and then, accompanied by hundreds of hairy and excited men, he
made his way towards the lock-up, where the goldsmith, who had been
arrested immediately after Scarlett's