fall will swear that the
fight was a beautiful one, and that every thing was perfectly fair and
just; 'while those who did not, will vow that murder has been committed,
and urge the commissioner to arrest you. It's a great satisfaction
sometimes to see a duel, and it's only right and proper that as many as
possible should be gratified with the sport."

"But it appears to me that the population of the town is all here now,"
remonstrated Fred.

"There's where you are mistaken," replied Charley; "the news has hardly
reached the miners in the shafts, and that class of people will feel
deeply grieved unless they are among the spectators."

"There comes a gang of men," I said, calling the Californian's attention
to thirty or forty, who, to judge by soiled garments, had just come from
the bowels of the earth.

"Yes, there are some of the underground miners, and a rough set they
are. Will you hurry up?" Charley shouted, "or are we to wait here all
night?"

"Why weren't we called afore?" asked one of the party. "This don't look
like the old style of doing things, I must say."

"I got word to you as quick as I could, and what more can I do? It's all
owing to me that you got an invite at all. This young feller don't know
our customs, and wanted to bang away afore any one was here," replied my
assistant second.

"Did you tell him how we managed things?" asked the leading miner,
gravely, as though a breach of etiquette had been committed of the
rudest kind.

"Of course I did," replied Charley, with alacrity. "You don't think I'd
forget my duty?"

"And what answer did the young feller make?" inquired the miner, as
though a great deal was attached to Fred's reply.

"He said that he was ready to comply with the customs of Ballarat, and
that he would wait a fortnight, if necessary, to allow the shaft miners
to get out to see the fun."

"He said that, did he?" asked the spokesman, nodding his head with
pleasure.

"Of course he did; and let me tell you he is one of 'em," Charley
exclaimed, with enthusiasm.

"I believe ye, and the fight can go on without any further delay, after
I've filled my pipe and lighted it."

We watched the miner as he slowly cut his tobacco and stuffed it into
his pipe, and then, with great deliberation, sheltered it with his hands
while he lighted it with a match.

"Now I'm comfortable--let the fight go on."

As soon as the miner, who appeared to have great authority over the
crowd, uttered