g battles, but it will be in public resentment. Let
ten or a dozen miners be killed by the police or soldiers, and the
governor-general and his council will be driven from the country by
popular opinion.

"The mother country, as she valued her possession, would not dare to
retain him or friends in office, for if they did, a revolution would be
the consequence. With the retirement of the government, all those who
had aided it would be compelled to leave, or all those who had taken a
prominent part in the warfare against the miners. Therefore, if you
desire to make Australia a home, don't be mixed up in the present
struggle, if possible."

"I am half inclined to think that you are right," Murden said, at
length.

"I also begin to think so," the inspector remarked.

"I've hall 'long hentertained similar hideas," Steel Spring said, but he
was not attended to.

"But we are officers of the police force, and must respond when called
for duty," the lieutenant observed.

"Granted," replied Fred; "but it is very easy to get exchanged,
especially if the request is backed with a rare specimen nugget."

The two officers exchanged glances, and nodded acquiescence in the views
promulgated.

"I think," Murden said, "that my time will be so occupied with affairs
at Melbourne that I shall not be able to visit Ballarat again this
year."

"And I have an intense desire to be near an uncle of mine in Sydney.
Will you, Mr. Murden, forward my petition for an exchange?" asked the
inspector, with a smile of great meaning.

"It will give me great pleasure to undertake the commission. I have
heard of some very fine specimens of gold being taken from these mines,"
the lieutenant added.

"It will give me great satisfaction to forward two pieces that I owe to
our worthy chief, and will you tell him that I anticipate obtaining a
third piece after I am exchanged?"

"And what report had I better carry back to Melbourne?" the lieutenant
asked.

"You can say that you gave me the necessary instructions, but there is
no hope of coping with the miners unless five thousand troops, with
cannon, are on the ground. That will startle government, you may
depend," the inspector answered, earnestly.

"And let us keep our counsel. There is no need that we should inform our
superiors that through our stupidity their well-laid plans have been
destroyed, and the miners acquainted with what is in store for them. Eh,
Mr. Brown?"

"Certainly not, sir,