dding more tears than a man's neck is
worth, the poor thing, to escape persecution and insult, resolved to
disguise herself in boy's clothes, cut off her long hair, and then make
the best of her way to Ballarat, and see if she could not find the man
who had cost her so many hardships. She carried her design into effect,
and then spent the last piece of coin that she possessed to pay her
passage to Ballarat.

Undiscovered, unsuspected, the girl entered Ballarat at a late hour in
the night, and was then told to seek for lodgings wherever she pleased;
and, half-dead with fatigue, she strayed about the town, not daring to
ask a question of the fierce-looking men whom she chanced to meet
reeling towards their tents after a drinking bout at one of the numerous
saloons with which Ballarat was cursed.

At length she became so completely exhausted that she could no longer
stand, and thinking that a tent which she saw was unoccupied, she
entered it and lay down in one corner. Sleep speedily made her forget
all of her miseries, and when she awoke she was arrested by the two
miners, who had staggered home drunk during the night, and thrown
themselves upon their beds not knowing that she was present.

While the ruffians were discussing what, punishment should be meted out
to her, the girl eluded their vigilance and fled, not knowing or caring
where her footsteps led her, as long as she escaped from their horrid
threats and obscene jests. The miners pursued with fierce oaths and
bitter imprecations, and the road, luckily for Mary, led near our door,
and as hundreds joined in pursuit, and all raised the yells which had
awakened us, we were enabled to go to her rescue, and perhaps saved her
from a life or death of shame.

Such was the poor girl's story, told with a simplicity that carried
conviction to our hearts, and strengthened our resolution to protect and
serve her to the extent of our ability.

"You will have to remain with us for a few days," Fred said, after Mary
had concluded her history, "and during that time we think that it is far
better you should maintain your incognito, and appear as you seem--a
boy."

"I have a trunk containing female apparel on the cart that brought me
here," she said; as though she had much rather be dressed in the
habiliments of her own sex.

"There are numerous reasons why you should maintain your present attire,
but I will not wound your delicacy by repeating them," Fred said. "The
people