manifested some reluctance to eating before us, and not
all of our rallying could overcome his diffidence.

"Come, come, take hold and eat heartily," I said, "and don't appear like
a young girl in the presence of her beau. Your modesty is all thrown
away in the mines of Australia."

"You know me, then?" he asked, in a sad tone, and his head was bent low
to hide his blushes, which covered his face like a thick coating of
rouge.

"Know you? not we; but that is what we are anxious about, and after
breakfast you must tell us what freak drove you to this country, and how
it happened that you were in Tom's tent at such an early hour in the
morning."

"I was weary," he said, making a desperate effort to appear at his ease,
"and having no money, I thought that I would rest myself where I should
not be called upon to pay for lodgings. When I first went there the tent
was unoccupied; but when I awoke, I found that the men had returned
while I was asleep, and then they accused me of stealing their gold
dust, and would have beaten me had you not interfered."

"I have no doubt of that, my lad," I answered, "and I see that they used
you rather roughly, at any rate. One, of the brutes has knocked off a
piece of skin from your neck."

"You had better have a little salve rubbed upon your bruises, for wounds
in this country have to be attended to without delay," Fred said.

I went to my trunk and got all the healing ointment that we possessed,
and offered it for his use--but he firmly declined, and declared that he
did not suffer from the effect of his bruises, and that they would soon
be well. I turned away disappointed, and inclined to be angry, which the
young fellow saw in a moment.

"Don't be cross with me," he said, in such a soft, pleading tone, and he
looked into my face with his gentle eyes so full of tears, that all my
resentment was banished in a moment. "I will work for you as hard as my
strength will allow, but please don't be cross," the boy repeated; "I am
very grateful for what you have done for me, and know that I shall never
be able to repay you; but don't be cross, will you?"

"No, no; we will never use a cross word to you," Fred said, laying his
hand upon the boy's head and patting his check, both of which actions
seemed to cause the young fellow excessive alarm. "You may stay here in
the store as long as you please, and we will pay you for your labor.
When you wish to go, say so, and we will part company wi