pain. The blood from his wound flowed on
unceasingly.

"Cheer up, old friend," I said, encouragingly. "There is life still
left, and we can get you on your feet in a few weeks by the aid of a
doctor. We will get a litter, and carry you to the store."

Smith started in search of one, and left Mr. Brown and me to look after
the wounded man.

"'Tis werry kind of you, but 'tis no use." Steel Spring whispered. "I've
got a load here that vill keep me quiet arter I'm dead. I shan't be able
to steal then, 'cos gold vould be of no use to me vere I'm going."

"If you want to save that covey's life, you'd better make him hold his
gab, and get him off the ground as soon as possible," an English soldier
said, stopping for a moment to examine our old companion's wound, and
then passing on with as much indifference as it was possible to
manifest.

Luckily the litter arrived, and we managed to get Steel Spring on to it,
and carried him to the store. There was but little life in him, and that
little we tried to retain, and consulted with the best doctor in
Ballarat for that purpose. The physician said that the ball would have
to be extracted first, when the wound would heal of itself, if nothing
in the shape of inflammation intervened, and to prove that he was right,
probed the wound, started the bleeding afresh, and in less than an hour
after the spy was carried to our store he was a corpse, and the doctor
had sent in his bill for medical attendance, and charged in proportion
to his ignorance, which was immense.

Leaving Smith to manufacture a coffin out of the spare boards and boxes
which the store contained, Mr. Brown and myself started for the head
quarters of the commissioner for the purpose of seeking an interview,
and obtaining the release of Fred, who, I doubted not, would be set free
in the morning, as no charge could be brought against him of a
rebellious nature.

We found a guard of soldiers stationed around the house, and an eager
and excited crowd was kept at a distance by a line of bayonets. I saw
that the miners were anxious to learn if any of their friends were
wounded or taken prisoners, yet could obtain no satisfactory
information, as all intercourse with those in custody was denied.

"Stand back, sir," cried a sergeant, as Mr. Brown and myself pressed
forward for the purpose of reaching the entrance to the building.

"Hullo, Richards! is that you?" Mr. Brown exclaimed, extending his hand.

"Ah, excuse me,