proceed. "Yes, I say it
again," he went on, when they would let him speak; "the instant repeal!
When that's been done, this curse taken off us, then it'll be time
enough to parlez-vous about the colour of the flag we mean to have, and
about going shares in the Government. But let me make one thing clear
to you. We're neither traitors to the Crown, nor common rebels. We're
true-blue Britons, who have been goaded to rebellion by one of the
vilest pieces of tyranny that ever saw the light. Spies and informers
are everywhere about us. Mr. Commissioner Sleuth and his hounds may cry
tally-ho every day, if 'tis their pleasure to! To put it shortly, boys,
we're living under semi-martial law. To such a state have we free-born
men, men who came out but to see the elephant, been reduced, by the
asinine stupidity of the Government, by the impudence and knavishness
of its officials. Brother diggers! When you leave the hall this
evening, look over at the hill on which the Camp stands! What will you
see? You will see a blaze of light, and hear the sounds of revelry by
night. There, boys, hidden from our mortal view, but visible to our
mind's eye, sit Charley Joe's minions, carousing at our expense,
washing down each mouthful with good fizz bought with our hard-earned
gold. Licence-pickings, boys, and tips from new grog-shops, and the
blasted farce of the Commissariat! We're supposed--"

But here Mahony gave a loud click of the tongue--in the general howl of
execration it passed unheard--and, pushing his way out of the tent, let
the flap-door fall to behind him.

Chapter III

He retraced his steps by the safe-conduct of a full moon, which showed
up the gaping black mouths of circular shafts and silvered the water
that flooded abandoned oblong holes to their brim. Tents and huts stood
white and forsaken in the moonlight: their owners were either gathered
on Bakery Hill, or had repaired to one of the gambling and dancing
saloons that lined the main street. Arrived at the store he set his
frantic dog free, and putting a match to his pipe, began to stroll up
and down.

He felt annoyed with himself for having helped to swell the crowd of
malcontents; and still more for his foolishness in giving the rein to a
momentary irritation. As if it mattered a doit what trash these
foreigners talked! No thinking person took their bombast seriously; the
authorities, with great good sense, let it pass for what it was--a
noisy blowing-off of