ept the invitation with more pleasure than you are aware of,
because the exquisite flavor of the pickled salmon that I ate for
breakfast is still lingering in my mouth, and I long for another taste."

We humored our friend by complying with his hint, and after we had
finished our tea, we lighted our pipes, talked business, and broached a
subject to Smith, which we had entertained ever since we had decided to
go into business.

Our proposition to Smith was, that he should form one of a partnership,
to be conducted under the firm of Frank, Jack, & Smith. The latter was
to attend to the freighting and buying in Melbourne, while we would do
the trading and selling at Ballarat. We agreed to put in three thousand
dollars each, and we were to value Smith's team and animals, and allow a
fair price for them, and then he was to make up with cash enough to
bring his capital equal to ours.

There were many things which we had to say that we did not like to
discuss before the inspector, so that when he arose to go, we felt
thankful. We then drew up articles of partnership, and gave Smith an
order to get the gold which we had stored at the old stockman's, and to
take a certain portion of it to buy goods, and deposit the remainder to
our order in the Melbourne Bank. After our business was completed, the
night was far advanced; and with bright anticipations for the future, we
retired to our hard beds, and dreamed of home and happiness.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

ATTEMPT OF THE HOUSEBREAKER.--ATTACK BY THE SNAKE.

I confess that it is somewhat startling to awaken a few minutes before
sunrise, and see a dozen rough, gaunt, ragged men, standing near the
entrance of one's tent, and to hear them whisper in a low tone, as
though they intended murder, or robbery at least; and it was with the
latter impression that I sprung from my couch, revolver in hand.

"What is the meaning of all this?" I asked, rubbing my eyes, not being
thoroughly awakened.

"Ah, yer honor is awaken, is ye?" inquired a familiar voice; and upon
closer inspection, I found that our Irish friend, whose hand Fred had
dressed the succeeding evening, was one of our visitors.

"Ah, it's you, is it?" I asked, hastily concealing my revolver. "What
has sent you here so early?"

"Faith, it's yer honor that may well ax that. It's a beautiful night's
rest I had, yer honor, and I couldn't rest without coming and telling
yer honor of it. It's painless is my hand, and it's all