“But how came you in possession of so much gold dust?” asked Fred; a slight suspicion crossing his mind that the old convict might have employed his leisure hours at a bushranger’s occupation.

“Honestly, good youth, honestly.  God knows all things, and he will acquit me of obtaining the dust otherwise.”

“The amount is large for a person to possess who has received only a few dollars per year for his services as shepherd,” Fred remarked.

“I know—­I know,” cried the old man, trembling with eagerness, and hastily taking up the bags again, and depositing them under the stone.

“I know,” he continued, when he saw that the stone was safe in its accustomed place, “that the amount is large; and I mean to add to it, and be rich, and have men bow to me, and say, ’There goes one of our most worthy men.  He is worth a million.’”

The old convict actually straightened his lank body, and looked proudly upon his daughter, as he thought of the homage which he should receive as a wealthy man.

“But you have not told us how you became possessed of so much gold,” Smith said, rather coolly.

“Never you mind how I got it—­that is a secret.  But be assured, one half goes to you on the day that you marry my daughter.”

“I accept of the woman, but before the gold crosses my palm, I must know that it was—­”

Smith hesitated, for he did not like to wound the old man’s feelings.

“You would say honestly,” cried the stockman, looking Smith full in the face with his calm, gray eyes.  “I like you better for your reluctance to receive a portion with your wife until you know that you can use it with honor.  Be assured that you can do so.”

“Convince me of the fact by relating how it came into your possession, and I am satisfied,” returned Smith.

“O James, James, have mercy,” murmured the distressed daughter, who was a witness of the scene.

The sturdy Smith resisted her appeal, and did not withdraw his eyes from the face of the stockman, who seemed slightly discomposed at the pertinacity of his intended son-in-law.

The old man hesitated and muttered to himself, and at length appeared to recover sufficient confidence to speak.

“Will all three of you solemnly promise me that you will not divulge the secret which I am about to impart?” he demanded.

“We will readily give our consent, because we have fought too many battles, side by side, to injure a friend, even if he has been guilty of imprudence,” he replied.

“And will you also promise not to interfere with my plans, and demand to share my profits?” he asked.

We smiled, for we thought how little he was capable of coping with the energy and enterprise of ourselves.

“I see that you consent,” he cried; “and now for the friend that yielded all the wealth which I possess.  Follow me a short distance.”

He led the way at a rapid pace towards the small stream which we had crossed so many times, and near the very spot where we had encamped on our first visit to that part of the country.