The Gold Hunters' Adventures Part 95

"Turning government evidence, I'll be sworn," cried the inspector, eagerly.

The lieutenant nodded, and continued, "Two or three of the fellows tried to get clear, on the ground that they were prisoners in the hands of the bushrangers, and I'll confess that the plea was having a telling effect on the jury; but when Steel Spring opened his mouth, he brought them."

"And didn't you tell me how to swear, and didn't I do it?" the wretch exclaimed, triumphantly.

"Silence, you fool!" and Steel Spring, obedient as a dog, held his tongue.

"The fact of it is," Murden said, after a pause, "the government has granted the fellow a full pardon, and I have taken him into my service for the present, in hopes that his reformation will be complete."

"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 att.i.tude 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."

"And my instructions?" asked the inspector.

"To play the spy, as usual!" cried a gruff voice, within a few feet of us, on the outside of the building.

CHAPTER XLIX.

CATCHING A TARL AS WELL AS A Ca.s.sIOWARY.

We started up in such surprise and rapidity, that the inspector stumbled and fell head foremost against Steel Spring, striking the latter full in his stomach, and sending him, like a cannon ball, out of the back entrance of the store amidst the horses, stabled there in company with Rover, for security.

Before the scamp could gain his feet, the dog, still entertaining a little animosity against his old enemy, flew at him, and with a vigorous bite tore off a portion of his pants, where they were the fullest, and then luckily desisted from further damage, probably not liking the taste.

"Some one has been listening!" exclaimed the lieutenant, rushing towards the front door, followed by the inspector and Fred, while I proceeded to the relief of Steel Spring, who made more noise than all the rest of us.

"There he goes--follow him!" shouted Murden, as a form was seen to run towards the river, although the night was too dark to distinguish who it was; and after running a few yards, the pursuers returned completely baffled, and bewildered at the turn affairs had taken.

"What is to be done now?" asked Mr. Brown, with a bewildered air.

"Vy, I shall have to get a new pair of pants, I s'pose," answered Steel Spring, who imagined that the conversation was addressed to him.

"Silence, you fool; we are in no humor for jesting," returned Mr. Brown, angrily.

"I don't think it any joke to have a big dog tear ye, and spile new clothes," Steel Spring muttered, although not loud enough for Mr. Brown to hear.

"Some person has overheard our plans, and the miners will be forewarned," Murden said. "Who would have supposed that an eavesdropper was concealed within hearing?"

"But what is to be done?" reiterated Mr. Brown.

"There is where I need advice myself," the lieutenant answered looking first upon Fred and then upon myself, as though desirous of our opinions.

There was an ominous pause, but at length Fred concluded to speak in relation to the matter, and his remarks were received with attention.

"This mining tax," he said, "is one that will have to be abolished before many months, because it is oppressive, and applies to all without distinction. The miner who digs his fifty pounds of nuggets per week, or the one who does not get gold enough to make a finger ring, are compelled to conform to the law; and as there are more blanks than prizes in this lottery--for gold digging is but a lottery--of course the poorer cla.s.s feel that they are aggrieved, and desire an equalization law, so that a man can pay according to his earnings.

"As soon as a conflict does occur, the government will be defeated. It may not be in fighting battles, but it will be in public resentment. Let ten or a dozen miners be killed by the police or soldiers, and the governor-general and his council will be driven from the country by popular opinion.

"The mother country, as she valued her possession, would not dare to retain him or friends in office, for if they did, a revolution would be the consequence. With the retirement of the government, all those who had aided it would be compelled to leave, or all those who had taken a prominent part in the warfare against the miners. Therefore, if you desire to make Australia a home, don't be mixed up in the present struggle, if possible."

"I am half inclined to think that you are right," Murden said, at length.

"I also begin to think so," the inspector remarked.

"I've hall 'long hentertained similar hideas," Steel Spring said, but he was not attended to.

"But we are officers of the police force, and must respond when called for duty," the lieutenant observed.

"Granted," replied Fred; "but it is very easy to get exchanged, especially if the request is backed with a rare specimen nugget."

The two officers exchanged glances, and nodded acquiescence in the views promulgated.

"I think," Murden said, "that my time will be so occupied with affairs at Melbourne that I shall not be able to visit Ballarat again this year."