are you to know whom to settle with?" demanded Fred.

"That is none of my business," replied Steel Spring, with a cunning
leer. "It is sufficient for me to know that I am ready to settle when
the bills are presented, and I don't consider that I am bound to hunt
all over the world for the purpose of finding my creditors."

"Your ideas are certainly original, and deserving of consideration,"
returned Fred, amused at the fellow's impudence. "But finish your
history."

"By such honorable means I was enabled to work my way along, striving to
reach the mines, where I expected to earn an independence, when one day
I fell in with a few notorious characters called bushrangers. The
villains searched me, expecting to find gold, thinking that a gentleman
of my respectable appearance must be loaded with wealth; but for the
honor of mankind I am glad to say that they didn't get so much as a
shilling piece.

"The robbers, intensely disgusted, swore that I must go with them, as
their captain wanted a cook; and although I insisted that I was not
qualified for the station which they intended to elevate me to, they
only replied that I must either be hanged or work. I need not tell you
which I preferred.

"When I was taken prisoner I had a large supply of provisions on my
back, and they asked me why I hadn't stolen more while my hand was in.
In vain I protested that I was innocent of crime. I was laughed at and
marched off towards this forest, when their renowned captain was
introduced to me, and who should he prove to be but my old friend, Jim
Gulpin.

"Of course, I was at home at once, and for many months I shared the
meals and confidence of my illustrious commander; but at length getting
dissatisfied with my share of the prize money, I procured a dishonorable
discharge, and went off to the mines in the night time, where I managed
to subsist by my honesty."

"You mean," replied Smith, "that you were afraid of being dishonest, as
the miners have a summary method of disposing of thieves."

Steel Spring grinned, as though he didn't wish to gainsay the truth of
the remark.

"But about the buried money. You have said nothing about that," I
observed.

"I knew that there was money buried there, because one day Gulpin sent
his gang away on an expedition, and then started me after a sheep, (no
offence to the old shepherd.) I thought something was up, so instead of
hurrying to do his bidding I skulked around until he thought I was ou