There was one thing that we found we were running short of, and that was salve; and we saw, perhaps with some tokens of satisfaction, that when that was ended, our career of doctoring would also terminate.

After breakfast, Smith yoked up his team, and moved our tent and worldly goods to the new house which we had purchased the day before.  The man from whom we had bought it was all packed up and ready to start for Melbourne that very day, and when he found that Smith was going on the same journey, he engaged a passage, and expressed, in heartfelt thanks, his joy at the prospect of his soon leaving Ballarat forever.

“I ’ope,” he said, in cockney dialect, “that I never shall be obliged to earn my living in a country vare the spiders are as big as a ’at, and as savage as a bull dog—­vare snakes crawl into bed vith yer, and drive yer out—­and vare the inhabitants had rather tell a lie than the truth.  I’m going ’ome to Hingland, and those vot vant gold may come ’ere and dig it if they please, for all I care.”

Our parting with the honest fellow who had been our companion for so many days, and who had shared with us so many adventures, was of a sorrowful nature, and it seemed as though all that we held dear on the island was lost to us.  Even Smith tried hard to conceal his grief, and I saw moisture in his eyes as he turned towards his rattle, after receiving our instructions for the last time, and started on his long journey.

The team was just disappearing from view, when his passenger, who, owing to his rheumatism and a light freight, was allowed to ride, struggled to his feet, and gave us a parting salutation.

“Look out for the snakes,” he yelled; “they is apt to enter the ’ouse during the night and if you value your dog you’d better tie him on to the roof, or he’ll be swal—­”

The balance of the wretch’s remark was lost in the distance, but we knew its meaning, and almost wished the same might befall the late proprietor of the building, before he reached Melbourne.

Our feelings were not very lively during the day, yet we went to work and made many improvements in our future home, and even got hold of a few boards,—­remnants of boxes,—­which we nailed on the roof; and by purchase and favor, were enabled to complete it in the course of a week, so that by spreading tarred sail cloth upon the boards, we flattered ourselves that we should be comparatively protected from the heavy rain storms which comprise the winter months.

We cleaned out our store, and arranged the few articles which we owned, and got ready for commencing business when Smith returned.  Then we began painting a huge sign on strong sail cloth, and acting on the inspector’s suggestion, called our place the “International Store.”