pector, and we rather enjoyed
it than otherwise. As for Mr. Brown, he smoked his pipe with most
admirable nonchalance, and appeared unconscious of the presence of his
enemy.

"The fact of the matter is, gentlemen," the commissioner went on to say,
"government has need of all its friends at the present time, for
misguided men are plotting against its stability. The silly things will
be crushed in the end; but our great desire is to make such a show of
strength that no blood will be shed. Humanity dictates such a course,
and I think that it will meet the approval of the governor and his
advisers."

"Go on, sir," remarked Fred, seeing that the commissioner paused, as
though uncertain what to say next.

"I thought of requesting you two gentlemen to volunteer your services as
my aids, and if you comply, I will see that government is informed of
the fact, and that you receive some substantial reward."

"In making the request I suppose that you think we shall be the means of
enlisting a large portion of the American population of Ballarat into
the service of the crown?"

The commissioner acknowledged, after some hesitancy, that such was his
calculation.

"We shall have to decline your flattering offer," Fred said, firmly. "We
have no desire to incur the hatred of the miners of Ballarat by
appearing as oppressors. If you proposed an expedition against
bushrangers we should be happy to comply with your wishes. As it is, we
cannot."

The commissioner did not say a single word. He bowed rather stiffly, and
then turned and left the store, and the next moment we heard him urging
his horse through the street as though he was in a hurry to reach a
certain point without loss of time.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

STEEL SPRING IN THE FIELD.--ATTEMPT OF THE COMMISSIONER TO CONFISCATE
OUR HORSES.

"I don't want to be severe in my language," Mr. Brown said, as he
listened to the receding steps of the commissioner, "but in my opinion a
more thorough d----d scoundrel don't exist than that same commissioner,
who just set a trap for you, and caught nothing."

"In that opinion I will agree most heartily," replied Fred; "he imagines
that we possess some influence over our countrymen, and he wished, by a
little flattery, and a lucrative position, to attach us to his party. We
will have nothing to do with the quarrel, but endeavor to take care of
our property and our lives by keeping out of the fight, if,
unfortunately, there is one."