s, and was anxious to avenge his
loss.

"Let the fellers show who they is," the crowd began to murmur; and even
our former friend, Charley, I observed, joined in the cry, while Ben
remained silent, and drank two more glasses of whiskey during the
tumult.

"It is evident that you suspect us of being bushrangers," observed Fred,
coolly.

"I certainly think that you are," returned the little man, bluntly; "and
it is a matter of surprise to me that I see you in the company of a man
who has, during his trading at the mines, borne a good character."

This was a hard dig at Smith, and he sought to explain, but Fred checked
him.

"If we should prove to you that we are honest men, I suppose that you
would be willing to make an ample apology for the manner in which you
have addressed us?" Fred said.

The little man smiled sarcastically, and intimated that he should be
most happy.

"Then," Fred exclaimed, drawing a paper from his pocket and handing it
to the little man, "you will please to read that, and see if you are
acquainted with the signatures."

The stranger called for a candle, for it was nearly dark, and by its
light began perusing the document.

"What is this?" he muttered; "a bill of sale of two horses, formerly
owned by the police of Melbourne, to Messrs. Frank ---- and James ----,
signed by Hansen, the captain of police, and Murden, lieutenant. Can it
be possible? Yes, it must be; I understand it all."

The little man threw himself upon us, grasped each of our hands, and to
the intense astonishment of all present, began shaking them as though he
was working a pump.

"How could I be so mistaken?" he asked. "I really thought; but, pshaw,
my suspicions were so absurd."

"What's the row?" demanded big Ben, who began to feel the effects of the
chemical whiskey.

"There is no row, only I am happy to say that I made a mistake in my
man," the little person said.

"What, ain't they men, after all?" shouted Ben; "if they ain't men,
they must be wimmin, and that's all the better; if one of 'urn wants a
husbin' I'm the feller for her!"

"Their past conduct don't prove that they are women!" cried the little
man. "They are the two Americans who are known all over the island as
bushranger hunters. We have all read an account of their doings in the
Melbourne papers, and we welcome them to the mines, and hope that they
will be as successful here as they have been elsewhere."

"The devil they is; why, I thought w