trial, lay imprisoned. This place
of torment was a large, one-storied, wooden building which stood in a
by-street facing a green and grassy piece of land adjacent to the Red
Tape Office.

By the time that Bill, followed by an ever increasing crowd, had reached
the "station," the men with the hawser arrived from the port.

No sooner were the long lengths of heavy rope unloaded from the waggon,
then deft hands tied a bowline at one end of the hawser and quickly
passed it round the lock-up, which was thus securely noosed, and two or
three hundred diggers took hold of the slack of the rope.

Then was the Prospector's opportunity to play his part in the little
drama which he had arranged for the edification of Timber Town. Watch in
hand, he stepped up to the door of the Police Station, where he was
immediately confronted by no less a person than the Sergeant himself.

"'Day, mister," said Bill, but the policeman failed to acknowledge the
greeting. "You've got a mate of ours in here--a man of the name of
Tresco. It's the wish of these gentlemen that he be liberated. I give
you three minutes to decide."

The infuriated Sergeant could hardly speak, so great was his anger. But
at last he ejaculated, "Be off! This is rioting. You're causing a breach
of the peace."

"Very sorry, mister, but time's nearly up," was the only comment that
the Prospector made.

"I arrest you. I shall lock you up!"

Bill quickly stepped back, and cried to his men. "Take a strain!" The
hawser was pulled taut, till it ticked. "Heave!" The building creaked to
its foundations.

Bill held up his hand, and the rope slackened. Turning to the Sergeant,
he said, "You see, mister, this old shanty of yours will go, or I must
have my mate. Which is it to be? It lies with you to say."

But by way of answer the Sergeant rushed at him with a pair of
handcuffs. Half-a-dozen diggers intervened, and held the Law's
representative as if he had been a toy-terrier.

The Prospector now gave all his attention to his work. "Take a strain!"
he cried. "Heave!" The wooden building creaked and cracked; down came a
chimney, rattling upon the iron roof.

"Pull, boys!" shouted the Prospector. "Take the time from me." With arms
extended above his head, he swayed his body backwards and forwards
slowly, and shouted in time to his gesticulations, "Heave! Heave! Now
you've got her! Altogether, boys! Let her 'ave it! Heave!"

The groaning building moved a foot or two forwar