aining Lucy
Woodrow's portrait in the breast pocket of his jumper, convenient to his
heart; and drawing from under his pillow the tin box that held his
mother's brooch and picture, and the few papers and heirlooms he
cherished, he placed Lucy's gift somewhat reverently amongst his
treasures, and hastily stowed the box away again. He had formulated no
definite reason for doing this, and experienced some contrition in
performing the act, and a sense of relief when it was done.

The young man's complete victory over Quigley made his reputation
throughout Diamond Gully. Pete Quigley had two or three hard-won battles
to his credit, and it was thought there was no man on the field so hard
to handle, with the exception of Ben Kyley, whose showing against a
professional of Bendigo's calibre set him on a plane above the mere
amateur. Pete confessed himself beaten without equivocation.

'I ain't got any patience with this blanky new fangled style o'
fightin',' he said. 'A man ought to toe the scratch an' take his gruel
like a man. With those Johnnie-jump-ups it's all cut an' run, an' I admit
it licks me. I ain't neither a foot-racer nor a acrobat, an' Done gave me
as much as I cared about.'

Indeed, Quigley looked it. The fact was patent on the face of him, and he
would not be in a condition to dispute the thoroughness of his trouncing
for three weeks at least.

Jim was regarded as a celebrity. Strangers even went to him, and gravely
asked to be permitted to shake hands with him as such. He was pointed out
to newcomers, and observed on all hands with a serious respect that had
all the comedy of piquant burlesque.

''Pon my soul, Mike!' said Jim, 'if your republic comes while my
popularity lasts, I shall be first President.'

'Well,' answered Mike soberly, 'if you could talk as well as you fight,
I'd like your chances.'

Done's opportunity of increasing his popularity came on the following
Saturday. The Saturday afternoon off was strictly observed on the rushes.
The miners were nearly all batchers--that is, bachelors keeping house for
themselves--and the tidy men amongst them needed one half-day for washing
and cleaning and putting their tents in order. Only the more prodigal
spirits cared to pay Mrs. Kyley's exorbitant rates for laundry work, and
for the others who cherished a respect for cleanliness--the nearest the
ordinary digger came to Godliness--Saturday afternoon was washing day,
and scores might have been seen aft