If I had accomplished no other result in Australia than introducing a few articles of the manufacture of the United States, I should think that I was amply compensated for my trouble, convinced as I am, that we have found a market that will consume thousands of dollars worth of agricultural tools, and be paid for in clean gold dust.

Mr. Wright owned fifty thousand acres of land,—­not one thousand, but fifty thousand,—­and over two thirds of it were devoted to grazing purposes.

For instance, he had five hundred acres sowed to wheat, five hundred to potatoes, and a thousand acres to vegetables, fruits, and oats.  The rest of the vast domain was free to the immense herds which were seen scattered over the plains in all directions.

There were ten thousand head of sheep, three thousand head of cattle, and five hundred horses on the farm, and all owned by one man, and that man’s wealth increasing every year to an almost fabulous extent.  He pointed out the site which he had selected for building an immense barn, to be used for the storage of grain, and to keep a number of his most highly prized horses in during the winter season, and then spoke of the time when the country would be so secure that he could erect a house more in accordance with his ideas of comfort and good taste, and lie down at night and be certain of awaking in the morning and find his herds safe.

The ride and the farmer’s conversation were most interesting to me; but I will not inflict it upon the readers, for it is probable that they do not take that interest in agriculture that I do.  We returned to the house, and I was more than ever profoundly impressed with the magnitude of Australian farmers’ operations.

That evening, while sipping our punch, we hinted that the next morning must see us on our way to Ballarat.  Mr. Wright vainly urged us to remain with him for a week, and even offered the inducement of a formidable expedition against the bushrangers in the vicinity of Mount Tarrengower; but we turned deaf ears to the allurements, and promised at some future day to visit him, when our time would not be limited.

We had been absent from the mines a week, and unsettled as affairs were when we left, we knew not what great events had happened.  I had considerable property that required looking after, and I supposed Fred would need assistance and advice in case there was a rising of the miners in opposition to the tax, which had for such a length of time caused fierce dissensions and a few bloody collisions.

“But what am I to do with my prisoners?” Mr. Wright asked, with a perplexed look.

“Iron them securely, and send them to Melbourne, under an escort of your most trusty men,” replied Mr. Brown.

“Yes, I can do that, but there’s the other party—­the women.  What can I do with them after you are gone?”

“Send them to Melbourne also.  They will be needed as witnesses, and will be well cared for during their stay.  After the men are hanged they can go where they please.  That’s the only course that is left for you to pursue.”