“They will have to walk until we come across teams on the road to Melbourne, and then I shall let them ride.  There is no other way that I can do,” he replied.

Even while we were talking, the bugle sounded to mount, so anxious were the men to reach the city.

“There will be a large amount of money placed to your credit,” Murden said.  “Remember that each bushranger killed or taken prisoner is worth one hundred pounds.”

“We hope we shall never be poor enough to ask for it,” Fred replied.

“I hope that you never will be in want, certainly,” Murden said, “but I do hope that your sensibilities will not prevent you from accepting that which is legally your own.  I have no time to argue with you more, but in less than a month I shall be at Ballarat, when we will further discuss the subject.”

“You will have business there at that time?” I asked.

“I think that I shall.  The miners have suddenly become convinced that it is not right to pay government taxes for the privilege of digging gold.  Nothing serious has occurred as yet; but how long the storm will hold off is quite uncertain.”

“This is all news to me,” Fred said, after a short pause, “and I hardly know how to act under the circumstances.  We have no desire to violate your laws, or to foster rebellion, and I have half a mind to abandon our enterprise for the present.”

“I should be happy to see you both residents of Melbourne, but I cannot advise you to turn from the course you have marked out.  Go to the mines and satisfy yourselves that the labor of gold digging is the hardest labor that you ever undertook, and that a week of such work is sufficient to convince you of the fact.”

We resolved to follow Murden’s advice, and were about to bid him farewell, when he added,—­“If you conclude to remain at the mines, write me a full account of how matters stand, and what you think of the demands of the miners.  I can rely upon you, for you have not mingled with the men, and of course do not at present sympathize with them.  I do not ask the favor because I wish you to act the part of a spy, but simply for my own gratification.”

We promised faithfully to keep him advised of our movements, and also those of the disaffected part of the residents of Ballarat, and with a hearty shake of his hand, Murden wheeled his horse and galloped after his command, which had been gone some time.

“Now, Smith, we are once more dependent upon ourselves.  Shall we first go after our cart, and repair it, or do you feel like resting for a day or two?”

“Well, I don’t know,” answered Smith, in response to Fred’s question.  “I feel as though I should like to rest for a few hours; you see the confounded hole where we roosted was so hot, that I’m pretty nearly used up.”

I saw through his design, but concluded not to notice it.  Like all lovers, he hated to tear himself from the idol of his heart, and thought that a few hours might alleviate his pain.