Even after we were miles distant, we could see him still motionless, standing upon the broad prairie, as though he had not determined upon what course he should pursue.  But he never renewed his attempts on the virtue of Mrs. Herrets, and when next we heard of him he was in the mines of Bathney, where he was killed by the caving in of a shaft.

As for Herrets and his wife, they took our advice, and moved to Melbourne, where there was society and enjoyment.  The husband went into business there, and became quite wealthy; and Mrs. Herrets was noted for her lively disposition and fondness of company.  She became a patron of the Theatre Royal, and gave many a hungry actor a good dinner; and once, when I had run down to Melbourne from the mines, to transact a little business, she sent me a pressing invitation to visit the theatre, and witness her debut in the “Honeymoon,” she playing “Juliana,” for the benefit of some actor who wished to insure a good house, and took that method to accomplish it.

I accepted the invitation, but did not consider her acting as likely to redound to the credit of the profession; and that is the end of the history, so far as my knowledge extends, of Mrs. Herrets and husband.

CHAPTER XLVII.

COLLECTING TAXES OF THE MINERS.

About a week after the inspector had received his injuries, he was enabled to get out, and one afternoon he sent word that if we were desirous of accompanying him on his tax collecting expedition he should be happy of our company, and that if we were disposed to go we had better meet him at his office, on horseback, at two o’clock.

As it was near the hour when we received the invitation, we lost no time in getting ready, and we were on the spot promptly.

About, thirty policemen were drawn up in front of the office, awaiting the appearance of the inspector, who was examining the books in which were recorded the names of the tax-paying miners, checking those who had refused to pay at the end of the previous month, and placing a cross against the names of miners who had worked out their taxes on the road, on the ground that they had not made enough out of their claims to allow government the large sum of thirty-four shillings per month.

The tax applied to all, and there was no chance to evade it.  The fortunate and unfortunate were alike liable to the officers of the crown, knowing no distinction, so they said; but I found before the close of the day that that assertion was a fallacy, and that there was a favorite class at Ballarat, and that they were rarely troubled by the inspector’s visits, and if short of money were seldom required to pay taxes.

“I am glad that you have come,” Mr. Brown said, hastily glancing from the large books before him to welcome us; “we are going through with our monthly ceremony, and I thought you would like to witness it.  It is not an agreeable one, I confess, but duty compels me to do many things that I disapprove of.”