back
entrance of the store amidst the horses, stabled there in company with
Rover, for security.

Before the scamp could gain his feet, the dog, still entertaining a
little animosity against his old enemy, flew at him, and with a vigorous
bite tore off a portion of his pants, where they were the fullest, and
then luckily desisted from further damage, probably not liking the
taste.

"Some one has been listening!" exclaimed the lieutenant, rushing towards
the front door, followed by the inspector and Fred, while I proceeded to
the relief of Steel Spring, who made more noise than all the rest of us.

"There he goes--follow him!" shouted Murden, as a form was seen to run
towards the river, although the night was too dark to distinguish who it
was; and after running a few yards, the pursuers returned completely
baffled, and bewildered at the turn affairs had taken.

"What is to be done now?" asked Mr. Brown, with a bewildered air.

"Vy, I shall have to get a new pair of pants, I s'pose," answered Steel
Spring, who imagined that the conversation was addressed to him.

"Silence, you fool; we are in no humor for jesting," returned Mr. Brown,
angrily.

"I don't think it any joke to have a big dog tear ye, and spile new
clothes," Steel Spring muttered, although not loud enough for Mr. Brown
to hear.

"Some person has overheard our plans, and the miners will be
forewarned," Murden said. "Who would have supposed that an eavesdropper
was concealed within hearing?"

"But what is to be done?" reiterated Mr. Brown.

"There is where I need advice myself," the lieutenant answered looking
first upon Fred and then upon myself, as though desirous of our
opinions.

There was an ominous pause, but at length Fred concluded to speak in
relation to the matter, and his remarks were received with attention.

"This mining tax," he said, "is one that will have to be abolished
before many months, because it is oppressive, and applies to all without
distinction. The miner who digs his fifty pounds of nuggets per week, or
the one who does not get gold enough to make a finger ring, are
compelled to conform to the law; and as there are more blanks than
prizes in this lottery--for gold digging is but a lottery--of course the
poorer class feel that they are aggrieved, and desire an equalization
law, so that a man can pay according to his earnings.

"As soon as a conflict does occur, the government will be defeated. It
may not be in fightin