“I know that it will,” chimed in the lank wretch, but a look silenced him.

“And now suppose you should tell me why you have paid Ballarat a visit?” the inspector inquired.

“I’m on business connected with the government, and to consult with you in relation to the mining tax.”

“Will government send the troops?” asked the inspector, eagerly.

“Hush!” replied Murden, glancing towards us; “you should be more cautious, Mr. Brown.”

“O, these are friends of ours, and espouse our side, and, if necessary, will fight for us,” returned the inspector.

“Softly,” rejoined Fred; “we fight for no one but ourselves, and we have never given you or a living man to understand that we will take up arms against the miners.  The question is too new for a decision on our part; slightly as we have investigated it, we must say that our sympathies are with the miners instead of the government.”

“Just as I supposed,” muttered Murden; but whether in disappointment or in anger I could not tell.

“Why, I really thought that I had proved to you that a tax was necessary,” Mr. Brown said, in an apologetic strain.

“A slight tax, certainly, is necessary,” Fred replied; “one that will help support a force to preserve order and regularity in the mines, but not a tax that is large enough to support the whole government of Australia.  Let a trifling sum be named, say a few shillings per man, per month, and exempt those from paying it who are sick, or unfortunate in their operations.”

The lieutenant and inspector did not reply for some few moments.  Each appeared to be pondering on the words that Fred had uttered, without knowing how to answer his arguments.

“At least,” the lieutenant said, “we can trust our American friends, and therefore there is no occasion for our adjourning from these comfortable quarters.”

We returned no answer, and he went on, unmindful of our presence.

“The governor and council have concluded that the miners have abused the government without cause, and that their rebellious attitude is of so hostile a nature that prompt action must be taken, as it is feared that, if the miners are allowed to continue in their present course, the colony will soon be in a state of revolt, and that independence will be declared.  Therefore, to save the effusion of blood, and teach the miners that they must respect the laws, it is proposed to provoke a collision, and shoot a few of the ringleaders; and after that is effected, peace and quietness will be restored.”

“The governor and council are mad, if they expect to maintain peace by such means,” Fred said; but no notice was taken of his remark.

“But the troops?” asked the inspector, anxiously.

“Will be on their way to Ballarat in less than a fortnight.  Even now, munitions of war are packing, and wagons being got ready to forward stores, and accompany the soldiers on their march.  Things are working so quietly and effectively that even the officers of the regiment are not aware that they are to leave Melbourne.”