d, the windows cracked,
and another chimney came down with a crash. Bill held up his hand, and
the hawser slackened.

"Now, mister," he said, addressing the helpless, struggling Sergeant,
"when's my mate a-comin'? Look sharp in saying the word, or your old
shed'll only be fit for firewood."

At this point of the proceedings, a constable with an axe in his hand
issued from the tottering building; his intention being to cut the rope.
But he was immediately overpowered and disarmed.

"That fixes it," said the Prospector. "Now, boys; take a strain--the
last one. Heave, all! Give 'er all you know. Altogether. Heave! There
she comes. Again. Heave!"

There was a crashing and a smashing, the whole fabric lurched forward,
and was dragged half-way across the road. Bill held up his hand.

"Now, Sergeant, have you had enough, or do you want the whole caboose
pulled across the paddock?"

But the answer was given by a constable leading a battered, tattered,
figure from the wrecked building.

It was Benjamin Tresco.

Led by the Prospector, the great crowd of diggers roared three deafening
cheers; and then the two mates shook hands.

That affecting greeting over, Benjamin held up his hand for silence.

"Gentlemen, I thank you," he said. "This is the proudest day of my life.
It's worth while being put in limbo to be set free in this fashion. I
hardly know what I've done to deserve such a delicate attention, but I
take it as a token of good feeling, although you pretty near killed me
with your kindness. The Law is strong, but public opinion is stronger;
and when the two meet in conflict, the result is chaos for the Law."

He pointed to the wrecked building, by way of proof; and the crowd
roared its approval.

"But there's been a man worse man-handled than me," continued the
goldsmith, "a man as innocent as an unborn babe. I refer to Mr.
Scarlett, the boss of the Robin Creek diggings."

The crowd shouted.

"But he has regained his liberty." Benjamin's face shone like the
rising sun, as he said the words. "I call upon you to give three cheers
for Mr. Jack Scarlett." The response was deafening, and the roar of the
multitude was heard by the sailors on the ships which lay at the wharves
of Timber Town.

From the mixed crowd on the side-path, where he had been standing with
Cathro and Mr. Crewe, Scarlett stepped forward to thank the man who by
his intervention had delivered him from obloquy and, possibly, from
death. Immed