be
abandoned immediately man breaks loose from the restraints of society.
The novelty had gone from the rushes, but not the charm. The sight of the
courageous, healthy, happy gold-seekers swinging by struck sympathetic
chords in his own heart. He had kindred impulses, and was by far the most
jubilant of his party, the Bush-bred Australians being the least
demonstrative of all the men on the track.

On the morning of the fourth day Jim encountered a face he knew amongst a
party of five travelling with a waggon.

'Hullo, Phil Ryan!' he said.

Phil advanced with a puzzled expression on his face, that presently gave
way to a broad grin.

'The Hermit!' he cried, and, seizing Jim's hand, he shook it with
effusive heartiness. One might think he had occasion to remember Done for
many kindnesses, whereas the ignominious beating the Hermit had given him
on the Francis Cadman was all he had to be grateful for.

'I've given up trying to be a hermit,' said Jim. 'There was nothing in
it.'

'Begor, I'm that glad!' said Phil, and he certainly looked radiant. 'But
you're th' changed man, Done. I hardly knew you wid th' amiable shmile.
Have things been goin' rare an' good?'

'They have, Ryan. I'm a made man.' Jim meant the expression to be taken
in a spiritual rather than a pecuniary sense.

It's hearin',' said Phil. 'My soul, but it's th' great land, man! I've had
more gold through me hands these twelve munts than I iver dramed iv
before. But it don't shtick,' he added ruefully, glancing at his horny
palms.

'And the others--have you heard of them?'

'We broke up into twos an' twos whin we come near Geelong, fer fear iv
being nailed by th' police fer disertion. Jorgensen's made his pile over
be Buniyong; an' Tommy th' Tit--him what seconded me in th' bit iv a
contention we had aboard--have been rootin' out nuggets be th' tubful at
Ballarat, an' talkin' fight and devilment t' th' min iv nights in th'
intherests iv peace an' humanity an' good gover'mint. Be th' same token,
there's goin' t' be no ind iv sin an' throuble down there, an' I'd be
sorry to be missin' it.'

'He's no true digger who'll stand out when the time comes, Ryan.'

'Thrue fer you, man. Och! it's a lovely land fer a gravyince, an' I'll
niver lave it.' He looked Jim up and down again. 'It's put th' good heart
in you, Done.' Jim nodded smilingly. 'D'ye be hearin' iv th' little lady
from off the ship?' continued Phil, as if following a natural sequence.

'Ye