and
attempted, with their long horns, to transfix certain portions of our
anatomy that we were not disposed to have injured. At length, however,
the animals were turned loose, and then Smith was at liberty to reply to
our interrogations.

"In the first place, I've got a dozen or twenty letters, and about the
same number of newspapers from the States. I'll tell you how I fixed
it."

"But the papers?" we cried.

"I'm coming to 'em as fast as I can. Just as I got into Melbourne, a big
American ship dropped anchor, and on board I went. I got hold of the
captain, told him the news, and then boned him for papers. I informed
him that I wanted them for countrymen of his, and he gave me all that he
had, and here they are."

Smith pulled the precious documents from his knapsack, and in a few
minutes we were absorbed in devouring the contents of letters, and
Boston and New York newspapers.

We never knew the name of the captain who responded so promptly to
Smith's appeal, but wherever his fortune may lead him, may he have fair
winds, and high freights, and never lose a spar.

No one can understand the joy with which a letter is received from home,
unless he has travelled in foreign lands, and been without advices from
friends for many months. The letters were the first that we had received
while in Australia, and we prized them more on that account, perhaps,
than if we had been in constant communication with the States.

We had written from California, announcing our departure, and directing
that all letters should be sent to Melbourne until further notice, and
the warm expressions which our epistles contained showed that our
friends had not forgotten us.

Smith, who seemed as fresh as the day that he started from Melbourne,
left us to our letter-feast, and prepared supper with that dexterity
which had distinguished him many times; and even when we had put our
papers under lock and key--so greedy were we, and fearful that some
acquaintance would step in, and desire to borrow a journal before we had
gleaned the news--waved us back, and expressed himself competent to
perform his allotted task without interference.

"You talk about home and the news until after supper, and leave me
alone, 'cos after we light our pipes we shall have business matters to
look over, and figure up, unless the woman and her husband gets along,
and then we shall see fun."

"What woman do you mean?" I asked.

"Why, didn't I tell you that Barne