nment officials; so we worked our way by them until we reached the
spot where Colonel Kellum was standing, surrounded by his officers.

"Do the d----d rebels surrender?" the colonel repeated, just as we could
witness the proceedings.

"Here's the leader of 'em, sir, that says he will," cried two or three
soldiers, escorting Ross towards the colonel.

"The leader, hey! Bring him here," was the command.

Ross walked firmly towards his conqueror, and stopped when within a few
paces.

"Are you the leader of these ragamuffins?" demanded Kellum, arrogantly.

"I was the leader of the miners, sir," Ross replied, firmly.

"You own it, do you? Hand me your gun."

Ross complied with the command.

"Is it loaded?" the colonel asked.

"Yes, sir," was the brief response.

"Then I will discharge it for you," the military despot said.

He cocked the piece, placed it within two feet of the Canadian's breast,
and fired. The unhappy man sprang into the air, threw his arms wildly
over his head, and fell a corpse, a bullet having entered his heart.

CHAPTER LXXXIII.

ARREST OF FRED.--TRIP TO MELBOURNE, AND ITS RESULTS.

There was a cry of horror at the atrocity of the deed; not from any of
the officers who were present, but from the soldiers, who were not used
to warfare of that description.

"O, cowardly deed," cried Fred, who could not prevent giving expression
to his feelings.

"Ha! what was that?" roared the colonel, turning towards us.

I endeavored to drag Fred from the scene, but he resisted my efforts
stoutly.

"I say that to shoot a prisoner in cold blood is murder, and none but a
base coward would resort to such an act," cried Fred, raising his voice.
"Secure that man," roared the colonel; but not a soldier stirred to
enforce the order.

"In the name of God, make your escape," whispered Mr. Brown; but Fred
disdained to fly.

"Will no one obey me?" roared the colonel, turning to his officers. "Do
you refuse to do your duty? By G----, I'll break every man in the
regiment, unless you are a little more prompt. Arrest that man, sirs,
and bring him before me," he continued, turning to his officers.

They obeyed, but unwillingly, and moved so slowly that Fred could easily
have escaped had he been so disposed. I sought to urge him to dodge
behind the soldiers, but he sternly refused; and when the officers
surrounded him, he walked with a firm step towards the tyrant, and
without suffering a hand to be la