e bleeding profusely,
and had so weakened the old man that he fainted the instant he found
that he was likely to receive assistance.

We went to work and cleansed the wounds of blood, and then stopped the
bleeding by applying balsam and lint freely, and over all we put pieces
of adhesive plaster, which we had used before for cuts, and found very
efficacious.

In the present instance it served to keep the lint in its place, and I
have no doubt that it was mainly instrumental in saving the life of Mr.
Critchet, for it prevented the insects from irritating the wounds and
causing inflammation.

A dose of weak wine was poured down our patient's throat, and then we
sat by his side until morning, before he recovered his consciousness,
and was able to speak.

"I've foiled the young scamp," he muttered, as he looked around the
store, and then suffered his glance to rest upon our faces. "He thought
that he could get the old miner's dust; but he missed his aim, and I
shall yet live to punish him."

"Of whom do you speak?" I asked, bending over his form so that I could
hear him more distinctly, for he spoke rather low and incoherently.

"There were two of them," the old miner continued, not noticing my
interrogation; "I know there were two of them, because I could hear them
whisper, and feel for the gold; but I cheated them, and shall live."

The old man attempted to laugh, but the effort sounded like a
death-rattle, it was so faint.

"You must not talk now," Fred said, "but save your strength, and in a
few days we hope you will be quite well. Sleep if you can, and in the
mean time we will send you a physician."

"No, no," our patient exclaimed, hurriedly; "I want no meddlesome quack
near me, with his solemn face and pretended knowledge. There is not a
doctor in Ballarat that I would trust with my life. Besides, they are so
expensive, and where is the money to come from to pay a physician's
bills?"

"We will be responsible for his bill," rejoined Fred, soothingly. "You
have been grievously hurt, and need better attention than we can give
you."

"But I say no," reiterated Mr. Critchet; "I shall get well, and to you
alone will the praise be due. And hark ye, young men! don't be too
forward hereafter in volunteering to assume another's debts. You may
live to repent it. Now let me rest for an hour or two, and when I awake
I think that I shall feel stronger."

The old man, who spoke with a sort of dictatorial officiousne