w how it vould hinjure my conscience to sell
the secrets of the commissioner."

"I will make them fifteen, then," I answered.

"That is somethin' like. The vork is done, and no mistake. The captain
vill have the information. To-morrow I vill come for the shiners."

He left me suddenly, and stole silently away in the darkness, just as a
policeman halted in front of the store and scrutinized the building as
though it was a resort for traitors, and he was determined to keep his
eye upon our movements. I knew the man, and he knew me, so I stopped to
exchange a few words with him.

"How goes the war?" I asked.

The officer glanced hastily around to see if he was watched before he
replied,--

"The times are hard, when we have to look after old acquaintances."

"Why, who are you watching for now?" I inquired.

"Why, I hope that your honor won't be offended, but I have got orders to
report all who go into the store, and examine all who leave it."

"The commissioner is carrying matters with a high hand," I replied, "but
we can afford to submit to some inconvenience, and still disregard his
petty malice. Do your duty, and don't be fearful of offending us."

"I'll do what I am compelled to, and no more," was the response; "if the
commissioner thinks I'm going to act the spy on your movements he's
damnably mistaken, I can tell him."

The officer passed along on his beat, and I rejoined my friends and
communicated Steel Spring's information. Every one expressed surprise,
and protested against such high-handed proceedings. But we were
powerless to resist, for the commissioner was supreme in his authority,
and there was no appeal, except through the government at Melbourne.

We resolved, however, to defeat his machinations, and I lost no time in
visiting the agent of the stage company, stating that we wished to
dispose of our horses, and had the satisfaction of receiving the money
for them that evening.

The agent desired that the horses should remain in our possession until
morning, but he agreed to assume all the responsibility, and even smiled
when I ventured to hint that perhaps the commissioner would visit us at
an early hour.

"Give me a bill of sale, signed by your firm," the agent said, "and I
will risk all attempts at confiscation."

I did as he requested, and got two or three respectable men to witness
my signature, and the delivery of the money, and then I went back to the
store and chuckled at the thought