offer to trust us with money, when you don't know but we may deceive
you?"

"Because I have met a number of Americans here at Ballarat, and I never
knew one to do a dishonest action, no matter how hard he strove to make
money. But what makes me feel positive in this case that I shan't lose
my funds, is the honesty expressed in your faces."

"Pray spare our blushes, Mr. Brown," Fred said, laughing, "for we have
not met with so much praise since we have been in Australia."

"Then you have been thrown in contact with rogues, who didn't give
honest men their due. But speak; is my offer accepted?"

"We will consider on it, and let you know how we feel disposed, in the
course of the day. But of one thing rest assured. We shall not call upon
you for money, as we can manage to raise enough of our own to commence
business."

Mr. Inspector Brown looked disappointed, and seemed to think that we had
been playing with him.

"We only plead poverty to see if you would lend us your powerful
assistance," Fred said. "If we should conclude to follow your advice, we
will be sure and ask aid from you if we require it."

"Well, on such conditions I forgive the little trick you have played
upon me; and now I will explain more fully the idea that I entertain
regarding my money-making scheme. You must set Smith at work, in company
with another driver or freighter, and let them bring such articles as
will find a ready market. A stock must be laid in, sufficient to last
nearly all winter, for during the wet season the roads are next to
impassable, and provisions go up like a rocket, only they forget to fall
until good weather begins, and freighting gets brisk."

"But what articles are best for the market of Ballarat?" I inquired,
beginning to grow interested in the inspector's scheme, in spite of
myself.

"Smith can tell you as well as I, but I may as well answer the question
while my tongue is loose. Flour is our great staple here, and is selling
at a large profit on Melbourne prices. Let Smith, or some one that he
may select, watch the potato market closely, and often great bargains
may be picked up. Ship bread is also paying a big profit, while pork and
rice can be made to cover all expense of freighting other articles.
Pickles and vinegar, and even preserved meats, sell well, and, in fact,
more money is gained by selling luxuries than dispensing more
substantial articles. A large stock of tea, coffee, and liquids of all
kinds, wil