he overland route from China and the Indies, we had
the satisfaction of once more shaking his hand, and fighting our battles
over. His daughter was as handsome as she was accomplished, and her
gratitude towards us for the kindness which we had shown her parent
would undoubtedly have caused her to look with some degree of favor upon
our suits, had we been disposed to demand the sacrifice. Fred was too
modest, and I lacked confidence, and between us both we left London
without daring to propose for the lady's hand. She is still unmarried,
and her father writes me that she shows no disposition for matrimony. If
I was not fearful of meeting with a rebuff, there would he one bachelor
less in the world, or, as the stage heroes say, I would "perish in the
attempt."

"I am tired of this," the inspector said, one day, entering the store,
and throwing his weary form upon a mattress. "For nearly a week I have
hardly had an opportunity to close my eyes, and my men are in the same
exhausted condition as myself. I have warded off the blows as long as
possible. But now I see no way of escaping a collision."

"What do you intend to do?" Fred asked.

"Resign my position, and let the commissioner take the responsibility. I
have written thrice, asking to be exchanged, but at head-quarters they
appear to be deaf to my prayers. You may think that it is cowardly to
thus attempt to escape my share of the work, but you have been in too
many exciting frays not to know me better, and to feel that where a blow
is to be struck in a good cause I am never backward."

We assured the inspector that we never entertained a doubt of his
courage, and that whatever course he decided on would meet with our
approval.

"I cannot stay here and order men to fire upon miners whom I have known
for many months, and whom I entertain a sincere regard for. Besides,"
and here the inspector lowered his voice and whispered confidentially,
"the miners are in the right, and I don't blame them for standing out
against a tax that is levied upon all without regard to the amount of
gold obtained."

"Had you not better remain as long as possible, and perhaps delay will
enable the government to see the suicidal course that they are
attempting. If you leave, and Mr. Sherwin is allowed full sway, I will
not answer for peace twenty-four hours," Fred said.

"I have already made more sacrifices to my sense of dignity and manhood
in the vain attempt to keep Mr. Sherwin within