To my surprise, the ruffian, instead of answering Fred’s speech, burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, which lasted for some minutes.

“If this ’ere ain’t jolly!” he said, after recovering his breath; “why, you fools, don’t you know me? hain’t you ever heard of me afore?  I’m Pete Burley, the bully of Ballarat, and can lick any two men in the mines!  Bah, greenies, don’t be putting on airs afore you’ve been in this ere town two hours.  Where’s this hoss’s bridle?”

“I have told you once,” replied Fred, a small, red spot beginning to appear on each cheek, “that the animal is not at your disposal.  We are strangers here, it is true, but we are not disposed to be imposed upon.”

“Now, I’ve half a mind to hammer the whole party till you’re black and blue, and then drive you from the mines.  Why, you fools, who am I? what do you take me for? am I a fighting man or not?’” roared the ruffian, his eyes beginning to grow bloodshot, and his bloated face livid with rage.

By this time, a large number of idlers began to gather around, and listen to the altercation of words.  None of them seemed disposed to interfere, although I saw that the mass were too much under the influence of Bully to say a word in our favor, while half a dozen sycophant curs boldly encouraged him in his course of aggression, and whispered to each other, that we should soon knuckle into “nuggets,” when the bully got fairly awakened.

We paid no attention to the crowd, but continued to keep our seats and sip our coffee; but when we saw that Pete was determined to carry off the horse at any rate, we concluded that it was time to interfere in earnest.

The bully had begun to unfasten the halter which held the horse, when Fred and myself rose to our feet.  The crowd kept at a respectful distance, for they knew that Bully was a man who did not stop to consider who were for or against him, when in a rage, and that he had been known to discharge a pair of pistols in the midst of a party of friends, if he felt that it was necessary to keep up his reputation for fierceness and decision.  Under such circumstances, there is but little cause to wonder why men were not disposed to press forward for the purpose of listening and offering assistance.

As I said before, Pete had begun to untie the halter, and the crowd applauded in approbation of his firmness.  He held the strap in one hand, when Fred and myself, followed by Smith at a short distance, reached the spot.

“I have told you once, that you cannot have my horse!” cried Fred, firmly and decidedly; “will you have the extreme goodness to let him alone?”

“Look here, you cussed counter-jumper,” roared the bully; “if you utter another word, I’ll make you eat the hoss and saddle, and then boot you out of town in the bargain.  I’m going to have a ride; so stand aside, and don’t interfere with me.”

He was walking off with the animal, when Fred laid his hand upon the halter.  The ruffian turned suddenly, and aimed a blow at Fred’s head that would have crushed his skull, had he not quickly avoided it, and allowed the huge fist to pass within a few inches of his face.