I took one of his sheepskins and poured the contents of the bag upon it, and out rattled gold dust, sovereigns, doubloons, a number of American gold pieces—­all bearing the date of 1832—­articles of jewelry, such as finger rings and watch chains, and at the bottom of the bag was a lady’s gold watch, enamelled back, and half a dozen small diamonds set in the form of a cross upon the case.  I examined the watch carefully, and saw a stain near the diamonds.  Something told me that the mark was the blood of the unfortunate owner.  I laid the jewel down with a shudder, and thought of the cruelties to which the owner had undoubtedly been subject before she met her death.  Day, however, partook of none of my feelings, for he was eager to possess so attractive a trinket.

“Take it if you desire it,” I said, handing the watch to the shepherd, “but you will always recollect that there is a stain of blood upon the case.”

“Not I,” he replied, handling the article with as much pride and pleasure as a boy receives a new toy; “I didn’t shed her blood, and so shan’t trouble myself about this little spot that is on the case.  It’s as pretty as a mahogany coffin, but it don’t go.”

“The works are rusted, and it will be necessary to send it to Melbourne for repairs.”

“Not I,” answered the ghost, with a chuckle; “somebody might see it and lay claim to it, and then where would be my watch, and where would I be?  Another term at the hulks is not agreeable to think of, and my accounts of the manner in which I got hold of the thing wouldn’t be believed.  No, no; I’ll wear it out of sight until I leave the country, or am rich enough to escape suspicion.”

I thought that Day’s course was the best, if he desired to retain possession of the property, for, as he said, a number of awkward questions would probably have been asked him at Melbourne, the mere carrying of a watch by a ticket of leave man being looked upon as suspicious by people who were not so honest as Day.

We continued our examination of the treasure, and were delighted to find that it exceeded our expectations, and so engrossed were we in speculating upon the nature of the dust that we forgot the hardships attendant upon obtaining it.

We counted the coins, and found that we had about three thousand dollars, and I judged the dust was worth about as much more, as it was of good quality, and entirely free of dirt.  “Now, Day, how much shall we give you for your valuable services?” asked’ Mr. Brown.

“O, I am satisfied with this,” he answered, holding up his watch, which he was polishing on his shirt sleeve.

“But, of course, you expect a portion of the dust and gold coins?”

“No, I don’t expect any thing, ’cos I volunteered my services, and I’m always happy to accommodate, as the man said who was willing to be put in a coffin before he was dead.  Never mind me, I’m satisfied.”

The shepherd’s modesty surprised me, for I had anticipated, from his eagerness to get hold of the watch, that he would be equally as eager for a share of the gold, and Mr. Brown and myself were both aware that he deserved a handsome reward for the dangers through which he had passed to free us from the inquisitiveness of the bushrangers.  Therefore, the more backward Day appeared the more firmly did we insist upon doing justice to his merits.