at a
sacrifice at the mines. While he is gone, they can be stored at the hut,
and sold most any time to travellers at an advance, while, if taken
where the market is glutted, he is sure to lose on them."

We were so much surprised at the communication, that we looked at the
lieutenant in astonishment, and for a few minutes did not answer.

"Come, come," said Murden, with a smile, "don't look as though you had
lost all your friends. Say you will go with us. Two weeks' time is all
we ask, and then you can go to the mines in any other part of the island
you please."

"But you forget," I said, "that we are not rich, and can but ill afford
this inactive life. We came to Australia to make a living, and so far,
with the exception of the booty which we captured from Black Darnley's
gang, we have not made a dollar. Even our prize money will have to be
given up to the government, to be returned to its rightful owners, and
besides--"

"There, there, that will do, most honest Americans," said Murden, with a
smile. "Now listen to me for a moment. You made a good thing by seizing
on what treasure Darnley had. The government will be too rejoiced at his
death to care whether he had money at the time he was killed, or not.
Keep what you have got--say not a word about it to any one, for if you
do, you will be the laughing-stock of all Australia. The originality of
the act would surprise our good people, and you would be looked upon as
fit subjects for an insane asylum."

Fred and myself looked at each other, and I read in my companion's face
that he considered the advice, in our present circumstances, as being
sound and rational.

"We have resolved to keep the money," we said; "but as for retracing our
steps to Melbourne, we hardly think that it will pay. We have already
been two weeks in the country, and have not dug the first ounce of
gold."

"And you may be six months here, and yet be unable to do so. Let me
reckon, and see how badly you have done. In the first place, there are
one thousand pounds reward offered for Darnley, dead or alive. Prove to
me that he is dead, and the money is your own. For every bushranger
killed or captured, one hundred pounds are offered, and I need not tell
you that we have twelve here which I can verify--four dead, two wounded,
and six prisoners. That is not a bad night's work, I should think."

"But we think it wrong to accept of money for shedding human blood,"
Fred said.

"But you don't thi