ity."

If Mr. Brown did not utter a prayer of thanksgiving for his escape, I am
certain that I did; and it was a sincere one at that, for nothing but an
overruling Providence could have saved one from the effects of two shots
at a short distance.

On we pressed, our good horses exerting themselves to the utmost, and
almost regardless of the boat which poured down upon our heads, until
our brains seemed melted, and ready to run from the eyes. Profuse
drinking alone saved us from a sun-stroke that day.

At length we reached the plain, and saw stretched before us half a dozen
roads, all leading to the mines, but all deserted, for it was at an hour
when few travellers cared to move, preferring to wait until the sun had
ceased its fiery course, and the earth had thrown off its fervent heat.

"I go no farther," I exclaimed, as I saw that my horse was suffering
from his over-exertions.

Mr. Brown reined in, and seemed disposed to take advice.

"Only to the next clump of trees," he replied, pointing to half a dozen,
about a mile distant.

"We shall kill the animals, and ourselves in the bargain," I replied.

"A mile or so will make but little difference; I think that I can
promise you a good camping ground, and a sink hole with pretty fresh
water under those trees; come."

I could no longer resist the inducements, and once more we put our
horses in motion.

"See, as I told you, we shall find company under the trees," cried Mr.
Brown; "there is smoke arising, and that denotes coffee and supper.
Cheer up, and we shall yet learn the news before sunset."

A few minutes revealed to our gaze three or four men and two women,
seated near a wagon, that looked as though it had made many journeys
between Ballarat and Melbourne, before the roads were in good order. A
brisk fire was burning, and on that fire we could see a coffee-pot and a
kettle. A short distance from the camp were two skeleton horses, with
just life enough left to be able to graze upon the prairie, and who
seemed to have been fed on thistles during the last few years of their
life. With no suspicion that our appearance was against us, we rode
boldly on until we were brought to a halt by a couple of presented
muskets, held in the hands of their trembling owners.

"Don't ye come here, ye divils!" shouted one of the men in goodly strong
brogue.

"If he does, it's cowld lead ye'll get!" cried another.

"But, my good friends," Mr. Brown said, blandly.

"Away