PARDON OF SMITH AND THE OLD STOCKMAN.--GRAND DINNER AT THE GOVERNOR'S.
"Hullo," I heard somebody shout; "is this the way you receive your
friends? Call off the dog, or he'll eat me for his dinner."
I started up and spoke to the hound, and then saw, to my surprise, that
our visitor was no other than the captain of police.
"Excuse me for disturbing you," he said, taking a seat, and looking
around the room with a quiet smile upon his broad face. "I know that
you have had a hard night's work, and need rest; and I should not have
presumed to awaken you, had I not feared that you would forget the
audience which his excellency has granted on this afternoon."
"At what time, may I ask?" I inquired, trying to look as though I was
awake--in which I did not fully succeed, I am afraid, for the captain
said, kindly,--
"There, there, go to bed again, and let the audience be postponed until
to-morrow. Latrobe will readily understand why you are not present, and
if he does not, I will get Colonel Hensen to explain the reason. By the
way, speaking of the colonel, he has grown to be a sworn friend to both
of you, and as he has the governor's ear in all matters, I think it will
be well to speak to him in a candid manner, and enlist his aid."
We bowed, without speaking at the advice, and the captain continued,--
"Then I will ask the governor to postpone your interview until
to-morrow, if you desire it."
"By no means," exclaimed Fred, the last words thoroughly arousing him.
"We have not had much rest for a number of nights, but we are not so
tired that we cannot keep an appointment. We shall be ready at the time
you state."
"Then in two hours' time I will send Murden for you. By the way," the
captain continued, in a careless tone, "if there is any thing I can help
you to, command me."
We knew that the captain alluded to our clothes, but we merely shook our
heads and declared that we had a full supply. He looked incredulous, but
was too polite to contradict, and was about to depart, when he suddenly
said,--
"By the way, I don't suppose you have seen the morning papers? Here are
the Argus and Herald. You may like to look over them, as they contain an
account of the fire, and mention the gallant conduct of two American
gentlemen who were present."
The captain laid down the papers, and was off without a word of
explanation. We felt that keen curiosity characteristic of Americans
when they know that their names are in print, and hardly had the sound
of the hoofs of the captain's horse died away before we spread open the
sheets, and after hunting over a column of matter which related to
losses, with the names of individuals, we came across the following,
headed,--
"INCIDENTS.--During the fire this morning, two young men, whose names
are unknown, but whom we hope to discover before our next issue, made
their way to his excellency the governor, and volunteered to take the
whole charge of the fire, and put the two hitherto almost useless
engines in working order. After some hesitation on the part of his
excellency, consent was given, and two companies of a regiment allotted
to man the brakes. Under the direction of the young men the machines
were brought into action, and were the means of saving property to a
large amount. We also hear it stated that the same parties organized the
lines of buckets, although we do not vouch for the truth of the
statement."
"P.S.--Since writing the above, we learn that the young men are
Americans, and are the same who appeared in the procession yesterday
afternoon. They have been engaged by the police force for the last three
weeks in hunting bushrangers. We shall give the public the most reliable
information to be obtained concerning them, and shall issue an extra
containing a history of their lives and adventures, illustrated with
correct likenesses."
"I wonder how the editor expects to get a history of our lives, and a
correct likeness?" laughed Fred, laying down the Argus and taking up the
Herald.
The latter paper was more disposed to glorify the governor and his
government than ourselves, and as Mr. Latrobe was not in great favor
with the citizens of Melbourne and the miners at the time, an attempt
was made to create some capital for him. The article read as follows:--
"Our readers will recollect that the lieutenant-governor promised the
miners that the roads between the city and Ballarat should be free of
robbers in less than six months. Hardly three months have passed, and we
find that his excellency has made good his assertion. He has taken the
most active measures to bring to speedy justice the numerous gangs of
bushrangers who have preyed upon travellers and escorts, going to and
returning from the mines. Already have two of the most formidable
robbers in the country fallen, and with them the destruction of their
followers. Black Darnley and Jim Gulpin are both dead. They have paid
the penalty of their crimes, and the community will thank the government
for the active measures which were taken to bring about such a result.
Our police department is now in a better state of efficiency than ever
known before; and it is the determination, we understand, of the
governor to increase its force until he has redeemed his pledge, and
made Australia a law-loving and law-abiding country.
"We understand that the two men whose dress and appearance occasioned so
many remarks while the procession was moving through our streets
yesterday afternoon, are two recruits who are to be added to the police
force with the rank of sergeants. They were both born in the United
States, but their parents are English, and still claim Great Britain as
their homes. We understand that they distinguished themselves gallantly
in the conflict which ensued between the bushrangers and the police, and
for that reason they are to be rewarded by being taken into our
municipal force.
"P.S.--We understand that the men mentioned above were very active at
the fire this morning, and that if any property was saved by their
efforts the governor should have the credit for the same, for to him
belongs the suggestion of allowing the police force to work as firemen,
and also giving his consent, that the military should have charge of the
engines. We hope the citizens of Melbourne will remember these facts,
and know in what light to regard the attacks made upon his excellency by
the Argus, whose editor left England for causes which have not yet
transpired, although we dare say that communications addressed to the
Home office would be promptly answered."
"Well, of all the impudence," laughed Fred. "The puppy should be
whipped--and I've a great mind to go and do it"
"I don't see any thing to be enraged at," I replied, coolly. "Because he
says that we are to enter the police force, does not make it so; and as
for the rest of his remarks, you are too good an American not to think
highly of the man for his ingenious effort to create popularity for his
favorite office-holder."
Fred smiled as he thought of the freedom of the press in our country,
and I heard no more about whipping the unfortunate editor of the Herald.
"Come," cried Smith, who had sat silent during our reading of the
papers, "you must be getting ready for your visit to the governor. He
receives at three, and dines about six."
"I suppose we shall have to stop and dine with him," said Fred, with a
sly wink at me.
"You surely don't think of such a thing?" demanded Smith, with horror
depicted upon his face.
"Why, you don't pretend to say that the governor is any better than us
poor adventurers?" asked Fred.
Smith struggled a moment with his feelings, as though trying to find a
suitable reply in which he should not offend us, and yet not outrage the
exalted idea which he entertained respecting his excellency. At length
love for us overcame his reverence, and he blubbered out.--"Hang it, you
know what I mean--the governor is placed in a high position, but I'd
rather have a shake of your hands than fifty men like him. Don't talk to
me any more, but get ready to visit him; and if he don't ask you to
dinner, all that I can say is, he don't know you as well as I do."
We followed the advice of Smith without a word of remonstrance, and in a
short time our long, ragged beards had fallen before the sharp edges of
our razors, and after a refreshing bath in a tub, the only bathing-pan
we could find in the city, we dressed ourselves in our new clothes, and
once more felt that clean linen was more becoming to gentlemen, in spite
of its democracy, than blue flannel.
For the first time for many months were our limbs encased in
broad-cloth, and our feet denied the privilege of an extended range of
sole leather. Smith surveyed us, and rubbed his hands with delight. We
had evidently made an impression upon him in our new dresses, and to
tell the truth, we felt somewhat vain of it.
Punctual to the hour, we heard some one drive up to the door, and were
in a moment greeted by Murden, although at first he did not recognize
the two demure looking strangers seated in the room as his late
companions.
His grip was none the less hearty, however, and even while he was asking
a half dozen different questions concerning us, he hurried us along into
a vehicle that somewhat resembled a chaise, although much heavier, and
drawn by two horses.
The lieutenant assumed the reins, and away we rattled, the hound
bounding by the side of the carriage, and sometimes making playful snaps
at the horses' heads, causing the animals to swerve from the middle of
the road, much to Murden's disgust and the dog's delight.
"I heard of your doings last night," Murden said, as we rattled towards
the government house, causing people to stare in astonishment at the
recklessness of our pace. "You did nobly, I am told, and those blasted
Jews had ought to come down liberally with their dust, in the shape of a
present."
"We were not working in the expectation of reward," Fred began, when the
lieutenant cut him short.
"I know all about that, but if those cussed Jews are disposed to give
you any thing, don't refuse to accept it, because it would gratify them
too much."
Before we had an opportunity to enter into an argument, the carriage was
driven, with much parade, up to the door of a substantial, freestone
house, before which a number of soldiers were keeping guard, as though
there was danger of the governor being run away with by some
evil-disposed persons unless there was a show of force.
We were shown through a long entry, or corridor, and ushered into a
reception room, plainly furnished, and with only one engraving hanging
from the walls. It was a likeness of the queen, in coronation robes,
opening parliament.
Half a dozen persons were lounging in the room, awaiting an audience;
and as we were the last comers, of course all eyes were directed upon
us, and we could read an expression upon their faces, as much as to say,
"what in the deuse do they want with the governor?"
Murden nodded carelessly to those present, and when one, more
inquisitive than his fellows, took him by the button hole, and, in a
whisper, asked him who we were, I heard him say, in reply,--"Hush! don't
pretend to look at them, or they will shoot you without mercy. They are
Americans, and carry revolvers and bowie knives by the dozen."
The inquirer, rather a small sized man, after that hardly removed his
eyes from us, and when word came from the governor that we were to be
shown into his room, the little fellow looked after us as though he
never expected to see such a sight again, and was determined to improve
his opportunity.
We mounted a flight of stairs, broad and imposing, as became a
governor's palace, and then the servant, who had us in charge, stopped
before an open door, at which was stationed a man in livery. To the
latter was given our names, and in a loud voice the fellow repeated
them; at the same time he stood aside and allowed us to pass into the
presence of his excellency, the lieutenant-governor.
Mr. Latrobe was standing near a window, which overlooked the street, and
was conversing with Colonel Hensen, the captain of police, and a number
of other gentlemen, whose faces we were not acquainted with.
Colonel Hensen advanced to meet us as we entered, and then, in due form,
presented us to the governor.
"God bless me," said his excellency, rubbing his hands as though he had
caught cold the night before, and he wished to quicken the circulation
of his blood, "God bless me, can it be possible?"
He didn't say what it was that surprised him so much, but I gave a
shrewd guess that our change of costume had improved our appearance to
such a degree that we should have been passed in the street by our most
intimate friends unrecognized.
"Don't be backward in making known your wants," whispered the colonel,
while the governor was wringing his hands.
"Both of you, gentlemen, are entitled to my warmest gratitude for the
zeal which you displayed last night," the governor at length said, "and
I embrace the present opportunity to thank you. God bless me, I wish
that all of the emigrants who reach our shores were of the same stamp.
We should be more prosperous and happy."
"We trust, for the honor of America, that all who claim our country as
their home will never give your excellency cause of uneasiness," Fred
said, with a slight how.
"God bless me, I hope not," echoed the governor. "But I have great cares
on my mind, great cares; and sometimes I think that I shall have to
return to old England, and let some younger man occupy my place."
The governor's suite maintained a profound silence, which struck us as
very singular; but then we did not know that a new ruler was on his way
to Australia, and that the home government had got most heartily tired
of the vacillating policy of Mr. Latrobe, and that the several gentlemen
who surrounded him were aware of it, and were all ready to pay court to
the rising star, as soon as he set foot ashore at Melbourne.
Finding that no one replied, the governor slowly chafed his hands, and
said--
"We owe you another debt of gratitude, I believe, for the gallantry
which prompted you to risk your lives, when you joined forces with our
police. You intimated that you had some request to make of me, as a
reward for your conduct. Pray, let me hear what your petition is, and if
it be reasonable, I will grant it."
For the first time did the governor seem to act the part of a ruler. He
threw off, as with a violent effort, all of his shuffling and weakness,
and stood before us a man. Perhaps the little sympathy which he saw
expressed upon the faces of his suite was the cause of his changing.
"If we have been instrumental in freeing your roads of robbers," I said,
calmly and distinctly, "it is not because we thirsted for the blood of
the unfortunate men, but simply from a desire to pass to and from the
mines without molestation. We do not, of course, know in what light the
captain of police has reported our conduct, but there are others more
deserving than ourselves, and to them should be awarded all the credit,
if, indeed, there is any credit in resisting when attacked."
"I think that mention was made concerning two convicts who had displayed
considerable bravery, but it had nearly escaped my mind. Do your remarks
refer to them?" inquired the governor.
"They do, sir," I said, "and in their behalf do we appear before you
to-day, knowing that your excellency will kindly consider all we say,
and grant our petition."
"Go on, sir," said the governor, with a wave of his hand that was full
of grace and dignity.
"The two convicts who were brought to the notice of your excellency
fought with us side by side, and in one engagement, a band of desperate
bushrangers were destroyed before the police made their appearance.
Black Darnley, the leader of the gang, was killed, and knowing that a
large reward was offered for his arrest or death, we thought your
excellency would exercise your usual clemency and grant the men a free
pardon for their past offences."
"You know not what you ask for," said the governor, hastily, and I
thought impatiently; and then in a milder tone he continued: "I am so
hampered by the home government that I rarely interfere in such matters,
and would much rather some other request were preferred."
"But let your excellency consider. These men have been on tickets of
leave for a number of years, and not a word of complaint has been
received against them. I believe that I am justified in referring to the
captain of police for confirmation of my words."
The captain bowed, and smiled at my earnestness, and I continued:
"One of them, by honest industry, has accumulated a large property, but
the dreadful sentence of the court still clings to him, and if an enemy,
actuated by the desire to despoil him of his fortune, should prefer a
complaint, he would be arrested and consigned to the hulks, to die
perhaps of a broken heart. That is not the proper fate of a gallant man,
who has the good of the colony at heart, and is willing to shed his
blood in its defence."
"Ask of me any thing but the pardon of the two persons you mention, and
I shall be most happy to grant it," replied the governor, after a
moment's thought, and a half irresolute glance at Colonel Hensen, as
though asking his opinion before deciding.
"We have no other request to make, may it please your excellency,"
answered Fred, with dignity. "We came to Melbourne expressly to ask for
the men's pardon, and as it is not granted, you will allow us to take
our leave."
We bowed and stepped towards the door. The governor looked astonished at
our independence, and after a moment's whispering with his suite, he
recalled us.
"On one condition will I comply with your request," he said, and I saw
that the old weakness had returned to his face, and that he was no
longer the dignified executive officer.
"We await the proposition," I said.
"Why, the fact is, I have heard such good accounts of both of you, that
I am desirous of retaining your services. You are anxious for the full
pardon of the two convicts. I will comply with your request provided you
enter the police service for five years. The rank of lieutenants will he
bestowed on both of you."
"We are under the necessity of declining your intended kindness,"
replied Fred, ironically, "and as we cannot obtain what we wish without
sacrificing our independence, we again take our leave."
I saw a smile of satisfaction beam on the face of the colonel, and I
knew that our course met his approval.
"God bless me, what do they want?" asked the governor, in an agony of
irresolution, appealing to the colonel.
"They ask for no more than what your excellency should grant," replied
the colonel, bluntly.
"But suppose the convicts should commit fresh crimes after I have
pardoned them?" asked the governor. "What would the home office say?"
"Point to the good which the men have done, and see if it does not
outweigh heavy faults," replied the colonel.
"You are right, and the petition of the young men is granted. Call
to-morrow at the office of the secretary, and obtain the documents; at
the same time let me inform you that if the home office does not concur
in my decision, the pardons are void. I do not anticipate any serious
objections, however, when I state the reasons which have governed my
conduct."
We thanked his excellency in suitable terms, and were about turning
away, when an almost imperceptible movement on the part of Colonel
Hensen claimed our attention. Slight as it was, we understood him, and
determined to strike while the iron was hot.
"We do not wish to give your excellency unnecessary trouble, but if you
would instruct your secretary to furnish the pardons this afternoon, we
know of one man who will receive it as the greatest birthday present
that can be given him."
"God bless me, is that the case?" cried the governor.
We repeated our statement that Smith's birthday would be celebrated in a
becoming manner, if his excellency was disposed to be lenient.
"Then God forbid that I should be the cause of any one's unhappiness.
Mr. Secretary, prepare the documents, and I will sign them immediately."
The governor had hardly ceased before the gentleman referred to had left
the room. While he was absent a number of questions was asked us
concerning our country, and I think a few of our replies surprised not
only Mr. Latrobe, but the staff which surrounded him.
"God bless me! it's marvellous to think of. The Americans are a great
people, there's no denying it, and I think in time will even equal the
parent country."
We did not enter into any argument with those present concerning the
relative strength of the two nations, but just as a question was
addressed to us regarding our navy, the secretary returned and handed
two papers to the governor, who, after a brief glance at their contents,
affixed his signature, and handed the documents to us.
"There, I have gratified you, young gentlemen, and now I request a
return for my kindness," said the governor, smiling.
"Any thing that your excellency may wish," stammered Fred, hardly
knowing what was coming.
"I wish both of you to stop and dine with me to-day, and if you refuse,
never ask me for another pardon."
The governor smiled good-humoredly as we hesitated, and before we knew
how to frame an excuse we were moving towards the dining-room arm-in-arm
with Colonel Hensen and the captain of police.
That dinner will long live in my memory, not only for the good cheer, to
which we had long been strangers, but for the social manner in which we
were treated by the governor and his guests.
Even the hound, who had received a large share of attention, was
permitted to enter the dining-room, and by the manner in which his eyes
glistened I thought he appeared to enjoy himself as well as the rest of
the company.