He didn’t say what it was that surprised him so much, but I gave a shrewd guess that our change of costume had improved our appearance to such a degree that we should have been passed in the street by our most intimate friends unrecognized.

“Don’t be backward in making known your wants,” whispered the colonel, while the governor was wringing his hands.

“Both of you, gentlemen, are entitled to my warmest gratitude for the zeal which you displayed last night,” the governor at length said, “and I embrace the present opportunity to thank you.  God bless me, I wish that all of the emigrants who reach our shores were of the same stamp.  We should be more prosperous and happy.”

“We trust, for the honor of America, that all who claim our country as their home will never give your excellency cause of uneasiness,” Fred said, with a slight how.

“God bless me, I hope not,” echoed the governor.  “But I have great cares on my mind, great cares; and sometimes I think that I shall have to return to old England, and let some younger man occupy my place.”

The governor’s suite maintained a profound silence, which struck us as very singular; but then we did not know that a new ruler was on his way to Australia, and that the home government had got most heartily tired of the vacillating policy of Mr. Latrobe, and that the several gentlemen who surrounded him were aware of it, and were all ready to pay court to the rising star, as soon as he set foot ashore at Melbourne.

Finding that no one replied, the governor slowly chafed his hands, and said—­

“We owe you another debt of gratitude, I believe, for the gallantry which prompted you to risk your lives, when you joined forces with our police.  You intimated that you had some request to make of me, as a reward for your conduct.  Pray, let me hear what your petition is, and if it be reasonable, I will grant it.”

For the first time did the governor seem to act the part of a ruler.  He threw off, as with a violent effort, all of his shuffling and weakness, and stood before us a man.  Perhaps the little sympathy which he saw expressed upon the faces of his suite was the cause of his changing.

“If we have been instrumental in freeing your roads of robbers,” I said, calmly and distinctly, “it is not because we thirsted for the blood of the unfortunate men, but simply from a desire to pass to and from the mines without molestation.  We do not, of course, know in what light the captain of police has reported our conduct, but there are others more deserving than ourselves, and to them should be awarded all the credit, if, indeed, there is any credit in resisting when attacked.”

“I think that mention was made concerning two convicts who had displayed considerable bravery, but it had nearly escaped my mind.  Do your remarks refer to them?” inquired the governor.

“They do, sir,” I said, “and in their behalf do we appear before you to-day, knowing that your excellency will kindly consider all we say, and grant our petition.”