Mr. Brown appeared to be disgusted with our countryman, for he displayed more temper than we had seen since we had made his acquaintance.

“But the miners have some reason for complaint,” I said.  “Taxation without representation is wrong, and has occasioned much ill feeling and bloodshed.”

“True; but without the present tax, how can government support a police force, and send gold to the cities under the escort of soldiers?  How can the hospitals at Sydney and Melbourne, always filled with disabled miners, be kept open, and how can the roads be kept clear of bushrangers?  The tax is not unreasonable per month, and yet through its collection see how much government is enabled to do?  All goes to the benefit of the miner, and every pound is expended for his protection or comfort.  As far as representation in our House of Assembly is concerned, I’m certainly in favor of it; but just show me how we are to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion regarding the number of members Ballarat is entitled to.  I’ve been here ever since the mines were discovered, and I can’t tell.  To-day there may be fifteen thousand, and to-morrow not ten.  People are coming and going continually.  They change from mine to mine at every rumor, and I assure you that change is not beneficial to their financial affairs.”

“In that case we shall have to do a cash business when we open our store,” Fred said, with a smile.

“Of course.  It will never do to give credit to strangers.  But while speaking of stores, let me inform you that I have made a few arrangements in your behalf.  I have secured a fine location for you, and spoken to a man who is desirous of selling a suitable building.”

“And the price?” we asked.

“Is reasonable beyond all my expectations.  The owner is homesick, and will not haggle about a few pounds.”

“Why cannot we look at the store this afternoon, and decide whether we will take it or not?  It will save time.”

“Come, then; I have no objections.”

We followed the inspector through the most thickly-settled part of the town, and at length stopped before a good-sized frame building, with the roof and sides covered with sail cloth and common cotton.  The man who called himself the proprietor, was an Englishman, suffering under a severe attack of rheumatism, and therefore inclined to exclaim loudly against the mines, and Ballarat in particular.  The few articles which he had in his store were old and unworthy of purchase.

We examined the premises, and found, according to our California experience, that we could take up our quarters there, and with a little trouble, make the building water proof.  There was room also for an addition to be made in case it was necessary, and as the place was easy of access, we concluded we could do no better than strike a bargain, and secure the building as soon as possible.  This we were the better able to do through a few suggestions which Smith let fall concerning the severity of a wet season, and the danger of rheumatic people remaining at the mines during its continuance.