the hoofs of a big roan, and there
arose another roar of different portent.

The youngster was being hemmed in amongst a few claims on the extreme
left. The troopers had stationed themselves beyond, and the police were
closing in on him, while the crowd yelled encouragement and advice. With
a rush and a reckless spring from a mullock-heap, the youth cleared his
enemies again, and came racing up the gully once more, the baffled police
and a number of miners following pell-mell, the troopers cantering on the
wings of the hunt. If the boy could reach the crowd where it was thickest
there was a chance for him, but he was running straight at Commissioner
McPhee, who sat upon his horse watching the chase, and relieving his
official feelings with a flow of elegant objurgation.

On came the young digger, the cheers swelling as he advanced. The men of
Diamond Gully had never so thoroughly enjoyed anything in the nature of a
chase. It seemed that the race was to be to the swift. The crowd parted
to take the runner to its heart, when Sergeant Wallis threw himself from
his horse, and the young digger simply sank panting into his arms. Wallis
put on a grip that had reduced many a recalcitrant convict to order, and
looked inquiringly at McPhee, who had ridden to the spot. The crowd
closed round, overlooking the scene from mullock-heaps and
windlass-stands.

'Produce your license, you rascal!' roared the Commissioner.

The youth was too short of breath to speak, and remained panting under
Wallis's hand.

'He has no license, sergeant. Run him in!' said McPhee.

'Sure, Commissioner dear, what'd I be doin' wid a license whin I'm only a
woman?' The captive plucked the billycock from her head, and a mass of
black hair fell over her shoulders.

Done, who had pressed to the front, recognised Aurora. That section of
the crowd which saw and understood sent up a shout of surprise and
jubilation. Wallis retained his grip on the girl, and the sight of his
hands upon her stirred a savage resentment in Jim. He made a rush at the
sergeant, but Mike was beside him and held him.

'Don't be a fool, Jim. Don't give them a chance,' he said. 'She's right
as rain. McPhee can do nothing to her; he'll lumber you if you only open
your mouth!'

'What'll I do with him--her, sir?' asked Wallis.

'A pretty chase you've led us, you vixen!' blurted the Serang. 'For two
pins I'd chain you to the nearest log, and give the flies a treat.'

'Would hairpin