iners pressed forward, shook our hands in the most friendly manner, and
we supposed that our trouble was over: but Tom was not disposed to give
up his prisoner in that manner, and perhaps he was the more strongly
inclined for a battle, because Fred's weight was much less than his own,
and therefore he imagined that he would have things his own way at a
game of fisticuffs.

"I am glad that the stranger is not a bushranger," Tom said, "but he
must not expect to make laws for us poor miners. When we have dust
stolen from us, we have a right to deal with the thief, and I shall
claim my privilege." "That is only just," murmured the miners.

"I have already offered to pay you for all that the boy has stolen,"
Fred said, "but if that does not suit you, deliver him up to the police,
and let him have an examination."

"I shan't do any thing of the kind. I caught him in my tent stealing
gold dust, and I shall deal with him in the regular way; I shall give
him two dozen lashes across his back, and then let him run."

"Mercy! mercy!" screamed the lad, clasping his hands imploringly, and
endeavoring to throw himself at the feet of his captors. "Do not beat
me, for Heaven's sake, for I am a--"

The rest of the boy's remarks were lost in the confusion which his
outburst of grief occasioned, yet no one seemed disposed to interfere
with the regular course of things, as the miner had custom to sustain
him in his conduct.

"I'll stand by my bargain," the brute said, with a grim smile; "if the
gentleman wants you, he can have you on the terms that he offered--a
regular Englishman's battle, and fair play to all."

"Your proposition is accepted," cried Fred, turning to Tom, who did not
receive the notice with that alacrity which we expected.

Fred threw off his jacket, and that was the signal for the formation of
a ring some thirty feet wide in the centre; but the desperate struggles
which were made to get within sight and hearing prevented the space from
being very regular, and the ring from being very round.

The miner leisurely stripped off his superfluous clothing, and his form
was large enough to strike terror into the hearts of those who had not
made the art of self-defence a study for years, as I well knew that Fred
had. The man's arms were brawny and muscular, and longer than Fred's,
and when the two men took their positions, I confess that I had some
fear for the safety of my friend. But if I looked fearful Fred did not,
a