a body of mounted troopers. They drew rein on the slope,
and simultaneously a line of foot police, backed by a detachment of
light infantry, shot out like an arm, and walled in the Flat to the
south.

On the appearance of the enemy the babel redoubled. There were groans
and cat-calls. Along with the derisive "Joeys!" the rebel diggers
hurled any term of abuse that came to their lips.

"The dolly mops! The skunks! The bushrangers!--Oh, damn 'em, damn 'em!
... damn their bloody eyes!"

"It's Rooshia--that's what it is!" said an oldish man darkly.

The Commissioner, a horse-faced, solemn man with brown side whiskers,
let the reins droop on his mare's neck and sat unwinking in the tumult.
His mien was copied by his staff. Only one of them, a very young boy
who was new to the colony and his post, changed colour under his gaudy
cap, went from white to pink and from pink to white again; while at
each fresh insult he gave a perceptible start, and gazed dumbfounded at
his chief's insensitive back.

The "bloodhounds" had begun to track their prey. Rounding up, with a
skill born of long practice, they drove the diggers before them towards
the centre of the Flat. Here they passed from group to group and from
hole to hole, calling for the production of licences with an insolence
that made its object see red. They were nice of scent, too, and, nine
times in ten, pounced on just those unfortunates who, through
carelessness, or lack of means, or on political grounds, had failed to
take out the month's licence to dig for gold. Every few minutes one or
another was marched off between two constables to the Government Camp,
for fine or imprisonment.

Now it was that it suddenly entered Long Jim's head to cut and run. Up
till now he had stood declaring himself a free-born Briton, who might
be drawn and quartered if he ever again paid the blasted tax. But, as
the police came closer, a spear of fright pierced his befuddled brain,
and inside a breath he was off and away. Had the abruptness of his
start not given him a slight advantage, he would have been caught at
once. As it was, the chase would not be a long one; the clumsy,
stiff-jointed man slithered here and stuck fast there, dodging
obstacles with an awkwardness that was painful to see. He could be
heard sobbing and cursing as he ran.

At this point the Commissioner, half turning, signed to the troopers in
his rear. Six or seven of them shook up their bridles and rode off,
their