rivilege of digging gold.
Nothing serious has occurred as yet; but how long the storm will hold
off is quite uncertain."

"This is all news to me," Fred said, after a short pause, "and I hardly
know how to act under the circumstances. We have no desire to violate
your laws, or to foster rebellion, and I have half a mind to abandon our
enterprise for the present."

"I should be happy to see you both residents of Melbourne, but I cannot
advise you to turn from the course you have marked out. Go to the mines
and satisfy yourselves that the labor of gold digging is the hardest
labor that you ever undertook, and that a week of such work is
sufficient to convince you of the fact."

We resolved to follow Murden's advice, and were about to bid him
farewell, when he added,--"If you conclude to remain at the mines, write
me a full account of how matters stand, and what you think of the
demands of the miners. I can rely upon you, for you have not mingled
with the men, and of course do not at present sympathize with them. I do
not ask the favor because I wish you to act the part of a spy, but
simply for my own gratification."

We promised faithfully to keep him advised of our movements, and also
those of the disaffected part of the residents of Ballarat, and with a
hearty shake of his hand, Murden wheeled his horse and galloped after
his command, which had been gone some time.

"Now, Smith, we are once more dependent upon ourselves. Shall we first
go after our cart, and repair it, or do you feel like resting for a day
or two?"

"Well, I don't know," answered Smith, in response to Fred's question. "I
feel as though I should like to rest for a few hours; you see the
confounded hole where we roosted was so hot, that I'm pretty nearly used
up."

I saw through his design, but concluded not to notice it. Like all
lovers, he hated to tear himself from the idol of his heart, and thought
that a few hours might alleviate his pain.

"Well, we'll postpone our trip until to-morrow, and to be certain that
we shall be ready then, we will take two yoke of cattle and bring up the
team and repair it. Had we not lost that bag of gold which we have
wasted so much time for, I think that we should have bought you a new
cart, of later pattern."

Fred spoke jestingly, and yet not without a sigh at the magnitude of our
loss. The old stockman, who was seated on a bench at his door, overheard
the conversation, and interrupted us.

"Who says the