, he pointed out a large shaft that had fallen in such
a manner that it prevented the dirt from filling up a large space,
although it appeared to me as though hardly a ray of light could
penetrate the crevice.

"If you think the men alive, why do you not commence working for their
rescue?" I asked, indignantly.

"Hoot, man, who's to pay me for the time I'd be losing, while helping
other folks. It's me own bread and butter I hiv to earn widout running
after strange kinds of jobs," answered the old miner, a Scotchman; he
was determined to be paid for his labor, and did not believe in
charitable deeds unless one of his countrymen was concerned.

"Why, you don't mean to say that you require payment for helping dig out
the men buried?" I demanded.

"Hoot, and why not, man? It's mickle a man gets here for his work, that
he should be after throwing it awa."

"Is this a fair sample of the charity miners exhibit towards each
other?" Fred asked of the inspector.

"I am sorry to say that it is; but this is not unusual; before you leave
the mines you will see cases of selfishness that will make you think men
have turned brutes, and possess the hearts of stoics," replied Mr.
Brown, with a shrug of his shoulders.

"I confess," Fred said, speaking so that those present could hear him,
"that I have not lost all feelings of humanity, and that I never turned
a deaf ear, or calculated what I should make by assisting a person in
distress. The customs of Ballarat may be just, but I must say, that in
my humble opinion, they are heartless and cruel."

"Hoot, man," replied the Scotchman; "you are but a boy, and have not
been long enough here to understand us. It's little silver or gold ye
will git if ye run after other people's business."

The Scotchman relighted his pipe, and was walking towards his tent, when
Fred stopped him.

"What shall I pay you per hour for assisting to rescue the miners?" he
asked.

"Ah, now man, ye is talking to some purpose, now. What will you give?"

"Two shillings per hour," answered Fred, at a venture.

"Ah, well, I don't mind helping the poor fellows, at that rate. I never
could stand distress. But, Misther, ye wouldn't mind paying in advance,
I suppose?"

"I will be responsible for your pay," the inspector said, seeing that
the man hesitated from fear that he should get cheated, after he had
performed his part of the bargain.

The fellow, luckily, had an axe with him, so, without more delay, w