le: we must watch for those who seek to harm us, and
convince them of our friendship," responded Fred, earnestly.

"By hanging or shooting, I suppose," replied Murden.

"Neither one nor the other method should we adopt. We will keep watch,
and if an incendiary seeks to fire our building, we will seize him, and
convince him that we are favorable to his cause, or that we mean to
remain neutral during the coming struggle, and then set him free to
return to his friends with the news."

"Hadn't you better throw in a glass of liquor, and a few plugs of
tobacco?" asked the officer, sarcastically, never having heard of such
kind of treatment to people who were disposed to be vicious.

"Your suggestion is good, and shall be acted on," replied Fred,
pleasantly. "Have you any other?"

"No, but I wish to tell you that you are laboring under a mistaken idea,
and that you will regret your benevolent motives. Such a course as you
describe might answer very well if the population of Ballarat was made
up of high-minded and honorable men, and not the refuse of the old
countries, whose crimes have outlawed them, and whose greatest
inclination is to be in mischief."

"You forget," said Fred, "that this tax movement originated with the
best and most intelligent men at the mines, and that the class of people
you have described are bushrangers, or else men who live upon the
community without work. If ever the miners and the government do have a
collision, you will be surprised at the respectable ranks that the
former will show."

"I have no doubt of it," responded Murden, dryly.

"Under these circumstances, we must think that it is better to depend
upon ourselves than upon the police for protection, because the instant
that the latter are arrayed on our side it will be known all over
Ballarat, and then our business and reputation will be lost."

"Then you are really serious?" queried Murden, after a moment's thought.

"Quite so, for it is our only hope to escape persecution," returned
Fred.

"Well, perhaps you are right," the officer said, "and I will consent to
follow your suggestions; but I claim the privilege of assisting you in
your watch."

"That we are quite willing to accord, and as it is past twelve o'clock
we may as well begin it, for there is no knowing how soon our enemies
may steal upon us."

To prevent the dog from giving an alarm we tied him up, and then
extinguished our lights, and carefully walked around the bu