s as simple as the diggers' speech, there was a warmth in his
manner that stirred the men, and a whole-hearted conviction pointed every
phrase; but even while his rebels were gathered under arms and drilling
behind a palisade within a short distance of the regular troops sent to
suppress the expected out break on Ballarat, Lalor did not expect the
authorities to take the initiative.

As night fell fires were lit within the stockade. A slaughtered bullock
lay on its skin, near the smithy, and from this the rebels who remained
on Eureka cut steaks, and they cooked their own rough meal. It was
Saturday, and a number of the diggers left the encampment to participate
in the gaieties peculiar to the evening in the Main Road dancing-booths
and in the pubs and shanty bars. As yet, so backward were the
preparations, there was only the feeblest attempt at military discipline
in the stockade, and the password was common property. A few zealous
recruits continued their drilling by the light of the fires, and the
smith toiled nobly at his pikes. His hammer rang a spirited tattoo on the
anvil till far into the Sunday morning, and he and his grimy but tireless
boy helper made a dramatic picture against the night in the glow of their
open forge. The rebels played and sang, and there was a little skylarking
amongst the younger men; but Done and his companions, wearied by their
long tramp and the drilling, had spread their blankets on the ground, and
made themselves as comfortable as possible, Jim watching the antics of
the rebels through half-closed eyes, the others smoking thoughtfully.

'Well, ole man, what d'yer think of it?' said Josh.

'I don't like it,' answered Jim, feeling himself addressed.

'Mus' say there ain't a very desperate air about the business so far.'

'Why doesn't Paisely attack?' continued Done. 'He must know what's going
on here. There's nothing to hinder him knowing as much of the rebels'
business as Lalor himself, so far as I can see. Why doesn't he come on?'

'You might join me in a little prayer that he won't,' said Mike. 'What
sort o' chance 're we goin' to have if he drops in on us here with his
mounted men?'

'Mighty poor, and you can bet the Colonel knows it. Unless he's afraid of
precipitating a general rising, he'll charge down here and wipe this
place out.'

'If there should be any fightin', gi' me a call, won't you?' said Harry,
with a yawn.

The others laughed and took the hint. Slowly the fir