ime of our
visit, and that he left Mr. Wright's employ, went to Melbourne with a
hundred pounds in his pocket, commenced a small business, which
gradually expanded, until at the present time he writes me that he is
assessed for near one hundred thousand pounds. He has been fortunate in
all his speculations, and is regarded as one of the most honorable
merchants in Melbourne.

"By the way, that fellow whom you quarrelled with and struck has left my
employ," Mr. Wright said, as we took our seats at the table.

"He took a sudden start," I replied.

"Yes, he gave me no intimation of his leaving; if he had, I would have
settled with him in full, and discharged him in regular form. He went
off in the course of the night, and has taken all that he owned and
something over. He will turn out a bushranger yet, or I'm no reader of
faces."

"What has he carried off that didn't belong to him?" Mr. Brown asked.

"A pair of large sized pistols, and a lot of ammunition."

"You can afford to lose them, for they are more dangerous to the man who
fires them than the one who stands before them. Congratulate yourself on
their loss. It is your gain."

Our host laughed, but denied the truth of my assertion, and during the
remaining time we were at the table the subject was not again alluded
to.

We finished our breakfast, received our gold from Mr. Wright, who had
locked it in his safe during our stay, and had not asked us a single
question concerning it, although I have no doubt that he suspected the
truth--shook hands with the men, and received the blessings of Nancy,
and the tearful adieus of Betsy--held a short interview with the ghost,
who was inclined to shed tears because he could not accompany us, but
who was consoled when we promised to get him pardoned, and to send him a
present of tobacco, and brandy enough to last a twelvemonth--had another
hand-shake all round, and then we mounted our horses, and with three
ringing cheers in our ears we started on out journey towards Ballarat.

"A pleasant visit we have had," muttered Mr. Brown, after we were put of
sight of the house. "Faith, I would have no objection to owning a farm
like this."

"Which you would sell in less than a year at a sacrifice."

"No, I don't think so. But, hullo! we've forgotten something."

"Well, what is it?"

"Why, something to eat on the route."

"Jackson has looked to our welfare, and if you will examine the bundle
strapped to the back part of y