Jackson appeared delighted with the introduction; although I thought that I could detect a slight look of disgust upon his face when we extended our soiled hands and shook his white palm.

“Our friend tells the truth—­I want to join a gang where I can make money, and then leave the country without danger.  I don’t want to stop in Australia all my days by a d——­d sight.”

Even the profanity was forced, and did not come from his heart.  He considered it necessary to use an oath to make himself appear an adept in crime—­but I saw through the disguise, and pitied him.

“It ain’t every man that applies for a chance can jine with us,” the inspector answered, assuming a deep and bass tone of voice, and language suited to his supposed condition.  “We want men—­half a dozen good, firm men, and then we can roll the money in without much trouble.  Squat yourself, and then we can think of this ’ere subject, and find out what you can do to help us when we reach the bush.”

“I like to meet men, and hope to prove myself one before we part,” speaking in a manner that showed he was not destitute of education.  “I’ve never been in the bush, but I hope under good guidance I shall soon be, and then if I show a white feather I’ll agree to go without my share of the prize money.”

“That’s fair talk,” I muttered, “and I think that the kid will make a goat.  Let’s trust him.”

“I’m sure I’m very much pleased with your favorable opinion, and I hope I shall deserve it.  I’ve already done some things that can’t he beat, although I’m not in the possession of much money.  Gentlemen, I must ask you to drink at my expense, if I can manage to negotiate with Dan for credit.”

Jackson started for a short conference with the barkeeper, and Steel Spring whispered to the inspector to “draw him out, and hear him talk.”

Dan apparently required some persuasion to give credit, but at length the representations of Jackson prevailed, and he returned to us radiant.

“The d——­d old ‘fence,’” he muttered, “he is afraid of giving credit as a churchman, and nearly as mean.  The next time I’m in Ballarat, I hope that I shall have money enough to pay for select lodgings, and then he and his ‘Cricket’ may go to the devil.  What are you going to take?”

We ordered our liquor, and after it was brought made a show of tasting it, but we knew better than to drink spirit at the Cricket.

“By the way,” Mr. Brown said, “you was saying something about your not being green, and that you had tried your hand at one or two things.  Now, if you have no objections, we should like to know how you’ve been employed, so that we can judge of your mettle.”

The young fellow paused; and I could see that shame was not entirely banished from his heart, for he colored, and then endeavored to crush his feelings with a drink of poisonous spirit.

“What need I care,” he exclaimed, at length, a “short life and a merry one for me.  A fellow may as well be dead as destitute of money, and when it can’t be got by hard work, I’m in favor of taking it wherever I can get it.”