e lepers have got to change their spots, I guess,' said Long. 'Is that
understood, men?'

'You bet!' answered a prominent digger, and the crowd uttered a unanimous
'Hear, hear!' that left no room for doubt.

'Then, get ready!' cried Mike. 'Every man get a pick-handle. There's to
be no killin'. We'll drive 'em out like sheep. If the troopers interfere,
unhorse them, an' bolt the nags. Meet here again as quick's you can.'

The miners scattered, and within half an hour the whole body of the white
diggers marched upon the Chinamen remaining on the claims.

XVIII

THE Chinese, most of whom were on the surface, viewed the approach of the
enemy with great uneasiness, but did not anticipate the worst Evidently
they trembled only for their tails, and a few took to their claims like
startled rabbits. The others stood watching the advance, jabbering
excitedly, with the volubility of so many monkeys.

'Wha' for? wha' for?' cried the foremost, when confronted by the
Europeans.

'This here's an eviction, I reckon,' drawled Long.

'Go!' said Burton, pointing threateningly.

'Away with the lepers!' yelled the men.

The Chows understood monosyllables, and began to expostulate in pigeon
English.

'Charge!' cried Long, and the drive commenced in earnest.

Keeping a solid front, the whites drove the yellow men before them along
the lead. Those below were dragged to the surface, and their movements
were accelerated by prods from the pick and presently the whole mass was
going at a run across the field, the Chinese in front, flying, as they
thought, for their lives, the whites following, and the howls of the
pursued and the yells of the pursuers united to make an uproar
unprecedented on Simpson's Ranges.

'The troopers!' The warning voices came from the left, and the full
strength of the force on Simpson's came riding gallantly from that
direction, between white men and yellow.

'Pull 'em down!' cried Mike, 'but do no damage.'

'Halt there!' ordered the sergeant, rising in his stirrups, but the crowd
took little account of him and his four gallant followers. It swarmed
round them for a moment, plucked the five men from their saddles, and
passed on, leaving the troopers sprawling on the ground, and driving
their horses before them with the terrified Celestials.

The chase continued all the way to Carisbrook, and for a mile or so
beyond; but at the river, where the main body of Chinese was overtaken,
there was a brief but v