Murden and Steel Spring arrive from Melbourne.
We were sitting in our store eating supper one afternoon, about a week
after our tax-collecting tour, and were wondering why Smith did not make
his appearance, as he certainly had been gone long enough, and were
debating the propriety of writing or visiting Melbourne for the purpose
of finding him, when a person, dressed quite respectably, but wearing a
slouched hat over his eyes, that entirely concealed his face, entered
the store and looked around as though anxious to purchase goods, but was
disappointed in not meeting with an assortment.
"We shall be happy to serve you in a few days," Fred said. "Our stock is
on the road, and will he here shortly."
"Vell, I guess I can vait," returned a voice that sounded familiar, and
our visitor removed his hat and revealed the not over-pleasing
countenance of Steel Spring.
We could hardly believe the evidence of our senses, yet there stood the
cunning scamp before us, with his long limbs and lank body, as supple as
ever, and grinning with delight at our astonishment.
"I 'ope you've not forgotten old friends," he said, extending his hand,
which neither of us accepted, but which act did not discompose him in
the least; for he only grinned the harder, and appeared to look upon our
refusal as a matter of course. "Where did you come from?" I asked, as
soon as I recovered from my astonishment.
"The old place--Melbourne; 'ave 'ad lots of fun there, but thought I'd
look at the country for a change of air. Can't stay long, though; so
don't press me to stop over a week."
"You certainly have lost none of your impudence by residing at
Melbourne," Fred replied, and the fellow grinned at the compliment. "But
tell us how you escaped from prison," Fred continued.
"Escaped?" asked Steel Spring, with an injured look; "I'd scorn such a
breach of confidence between gentlemen. No, sir, I did not escape, but
was pardoned for the service I've rendered my country."
"And the bushrangers that Murden carried to Melbourne?" Fred asked, with
some anxiety.
"Vell, they suffered for their crimes, and are all forgotten by this
time," replied the wretch, with a grin.
"Hanged?" I asked.
"Every mother's son of 'em, and served 'em right, too. Property is
respected, nowadays, and a miner can travel all the way from Ballarat to
Melbourne, and lose nothing if he's got nothing to lose," the grinning
scamp replied.
"I've got a friend vid me," Steel Spring said at length, "and perhaps
you'd like to see him."
"Who is he?" we asked.
"O, a man you used to know--Murden I believe is his name, and he's in
some vay connected with the police force of Melbourne."
The grinning rascal! he had been sent by our friend to notify us of his
arrival, and that was the way he performed his duty. But before we had
time to administer to him a sound kicking, the lieutenant was with us.
We need not tell the reader that we welcomed him with our whole hearts,
and that he appeared as delighted to see us as we were glad to see him.
"I have just arrived in time, I see," Murden said, glancing at our
supper, "and, by George, I'm glad that I've a place to rest to-night,
for I'm tired. We've been three days on the road, on horseback all the
time, with the exception of a few hours during the extreme heat of noon.
Our animals got used up about five miles from Ballarat; so I footed it
to town. I suppose that you recollect that scamp,"--pointing to Steel
Spring, who bowed low at the compliment. "I've taken him into my service
on his promise to be of good behavior; but I don't think that his word
is to be relied on; so I cane him about once in twenty-four hours, to
see if what little goodness there is in him cannot be brought out."
Steel Spring shrugged his shoulders, as much as to say, There is no joke
in what he is telling, as I can testify.
"But how came Steel Spring to find us first?" I asked.
"Well, when our horses broke down I sent him ahead to find out in what
quarter of the town you were located, and I followed more leisurely. The
first policeman that I met directed me here, so that I found no
difficulty, and was not compelled to wait for my _notorati_
fellow-traveller at the cross-roads."
"But how comes it that you are in citizen's dress, instead of the blue
uniform?"
"Ah, my boys, that is the secret; but as I have nothing to conceal from
you, I will confess I am the bearer of secret despatches to the
inspector of this district in relation to the mining tax. But while I am
talking, set Steel Spring at work cooking supper, for I am famished, and
I suppose that he is also."
It was only necessary to nod acquiescence to the lieutenant, when Steel
Spring stripped off his coat and set to work in earnest. In a few
minutes he had ransacked our private stores and spread our few dishes
upon a box, that answered for a table, in the most tempting array; and
with a few dried branches he set the teakettle to boiling, and almost
before we thought that he had made a beginning, he announced that supper
was ready for his superior.
"By the way," Murden said, while partaking of our fare, "I overtook
Smith on his way to this place, and I should think that he would arrive
by to-morrow morning. He has two large loads of goods, and I think that
he has made a speculation in buying them, from the hints that he dropped
to me in confidence. One of your large American clipper ships arrived at
Melbourne with an assorted cargo of Yankee notions, and as the market
was, in mercantile parlance, glutted with goods of all descriptions, a
forced sale was effected, and Smith bought largely at a low figure. He
is in good spirits, and says that he never felt so well in his life as
since he was married."
"Married?" we repeated, in astonishment.
"Yes, Smith has married Becky Lang, and a good wife she will make him.
The lady's father, the convict, still remains on his cattle ranch, and,
for some strange reason, refuses to move to Melbourne, where Becky has
taken up her residence. The ceremony was performed at the latter place,
and I was one of the witnesses."
We could readily understand why the old man refused to move. The banks
of the brook near which he resided were too rich in gold deposits to be
given up until a competence was acquired. We wondered if Smith revealed
the knowledge of the money which we had dug successfully for, and which
we had shared between us. We feared that he had, and that Murden would
consider we had acted unfair in the transaction. But as he said nothing
on the subject we were not disposed to introduce it.
"How is my old friend Brown, and how does he like the duties at this
station?" Murden asked, as he rose from the supper table, and Steel
Spring took his place.
We gave a favorable account of the inspector, and while the lieutenant
was listening, a sudden thought entered our heads, which we were
resolved to carry into effect, and thereby get square with Mr. Brown,
who had played us a trick some time before. Murden was anxious to speak
with the inspector and deliver his letters, but he wished to do it in a
secret manner, so that no suspicions should be awakened that he was on a
government mission, or that government was preparing to strengthen its
force at Ballarat. The authorities knew that a struggle must occur
between the miners and the police, and it had been considered advisable
to hasten the conflict before the miners gained more strength, defeat
them badly, as the council at Melbourne supposed could be easily done,
hang a few for high treason, and afterwards the mining tax could be
collected without any difficulty whatever.
Such was the programme that the governor-general and his council laid
out, and they supposed that it could be executed; and even Murden
labored under the same impression until we convinced him of his error,
and advised him by all means to keep out of the conflict if possible, as
which ever way the battle went the police would be blamed, and obtain no
credit for their exposure or bravery. The sequel showed that we were
right in our premises. As I said before, the lieutenant was anxious to
see the inspector, but did not care about visiting his office; so we
despatched a note by a passing policeman, requesting Mr. Brown's company
instantly, and advising him to come alone, as we had two suspicious
persons in the store, and we thought that a reward had been offered for
their apprehension, which we were desirous of obtaining. We got Murden's
consent to act in the plot, and by the aid of a wig his disguise was
complete. As for Steel Spring, he was to remain as he was, without
disguise, but was to vehemently deny his cognomen, and puzzle Mr. Brown
if possible.
The instant the inspector got our note he loaded himself with pistols
and started for our store. By the time that he arrived it was dark, but
we had a candle burning that but dimly illuminated the room, and
prevented him from distinguishing objects.
"There are some lodgers that we have for to-night," Fred said, pointing
to Murden and Steel Spring, both of whom sat with their faces from the
light, as though not desirous of attracting attention.
"I am sure it gives me pleasure to meet friends of yours," the inspector
said, with a grim smile; and he rubbed his hands as though already the
capturer of two notorious robbers.
"Who are they?" Mr. Brown asked, in a low whisper, watching every motion
of Murden and Steel Spring, as though he expected a manifestation of
hostility on their part.
"Don't know," replied Fred, in the same tone, "but I suspect that they
are bushrangers."
"Ah, ah, I have no doubt of it," the inspector said. "Have your pistols
handy, for they may resist when I arrest them."
Mr. Brown took a seat, and every opportunity that he could get he would
scrutinize the half-hidden faces of Murden and Steel Spring; but owing
to the light being bad, he was unable to gratify his curiosity. Fred and
myself conversed on various matters, about the yield of gold for the
coming year, and whether the prices of goods would decline before the
wet set in, but Mr. Brown was too anxious for a capture to join us, and
had not the spirit of evil actuated Steel Spring, we should have kept
the inspector in suspense for an hour or two. Steel Spring was too
mercurial to remain dormant for any length of time, and with a desire to
stir Mr. Brown into activity he said, in a careless sort of way,--
"By the vay, I 'eard that these 'ere mines vas paying wery vell."
Mr. Brown started, as I knew that he would recollect the voice, and he
hastily glanced towards us to see if we did not mark it also; but we
appeared to pay no attention, and continued our conversation. "You have
never been in Ballarat before?" the inspector said, addressing Steel
Spring.
"No, I can't say that I 'ave. My time has been so much occupied vid
other duties that I 'ave not been able to visit all the places I'd vish
to."
"Perhaps you would have no objection to inform the company of the manner
in which your livelihood is and has been obtained?" the inspector asked,
nervously handling a pair of pistols in his coat pocket.
"O, I've been in the travelling line," the long-limbed wretch replied,
with a grin.
"Then perhaps you will have the kindness to travel with me, Mr. Steel
Spring," cried the inspector, suddenly starting from his seat, and
covering the persons of Murden and his servant with a pair of horse
pistols that carried sixteen to the pound.
Neither of the parties moved or showed surprise, but we were astonished
when we heard the inspector utter a shrill whistle, and before it died
away half a dozen blue-coated policemen rushed into the room, armed with
pistols and swords.
"You see that resistance is useless," the inspector said, addressing
Steel Spring and Murden; "I know both of you, and bigger rascals never
went unhanged."
"If you know me, pray tell me my name," Murden said, in as gruff a tone
as he could assume.
"I can't mention your name at present, but from your looks I've no doubt
that you are some murdering scoundrel. Any jury would convict you
without hesitancy."
Fred and I exploded with laughter, and even Steel Spring, fortified as
he was with the protection of Murden, and a full pardon for all past
offences, roared with glee.
Mr. Brown looked astonished and indignant, but he did not give up his
hostile attitude. Even his men lost their savage glare, and waited for
an explanation, which we were in no hurry to give.
"Put up your pistols, Mr. Brown," I said; "you have no use for them
here."
"But what is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
"Send your men to the station-house, and we will explain."
"But these--"
He pointed to the supposed bushrangers.
"We will go bail for their appearance to-morrow morning," I replied.
The inspector made a sign to his men, and they rather reluctantly
dispersed. They were as anxious to know the secret of the mystery as
their chief.
"Now, gentlemen," Mr. Brown said, with some severity, "I am waiting to
hear an account of your strange conduct."
"Do you recollect," Fred asked, "of being disguised as an old man, and
of asking two Americans what they thought of the annexation question?"
"Pshaw, that was a joke," he returned, pettishly.
"Do you recollect that you laughed quite heartily when we promised to
retaliate, and 'sell' you on the first favorable opportunity, and that
we were defied to do it?" Fred continued. Mr. Brown nodded.
"Well, then we are even," I said.
"I don't see that you are," the inspector, cried. "Here are two
notorious criminals who should be safely locked up, and yet you ask me
to spare them until morning. I know them both, and will pledge my word
that they have stolen more gold dust than any other two parties in
Australia."
"And I will pledge my word that I can't begin to prig with the head of
the police force in Ballarat," cried Murden, who could remain silent no
longer.
Mr. Brown sprang to his feet with indignation stamped upon every line of
his face, but before he could proceed to extremities, Murden threw off
his wig, unrolled his coat collar, and stood before the inspector as
lieutenant of the Melbourne police force, and consequently one grade
lower in rank than Mr. Brown.
"Murden," the inspector exclaimed, extending his hand in astonishment.
"That's me, Brown, and I beg that you will forgive me for my share of
this plot. It was to retaliate, I believe, for some joke that you
perpetrated a few days ago."
"Yes, but this matter is serious," Mr. Brown muttered.
"I grant that; especially when you spoke about my stealing. Faith, I
began to think that I should be the inmate of your town prison, before
long, unless I confessed."
"Well, perhaps I was rather fast in my charges; but you know that your
wig altered your face, and in fact, seeing you in company with this
notorious--"
Mr. Brown pointed to Steel Spring, and that worthy individual grinned
with delight at the excitement that he had created.
"Yes, I rather think that we have met afore," he said; "don't you
remember how you ran after me and my pal ven ve vere goin' to Sydney?"
"You scoundrel," replied the inspector, with some warmth, "I only wish
that I had the custody of you for a few months."
"I 'ave no doubt of it; but I shan't give you a chance now. I've turned
'onest, and intends to lead a different life." And Steel Spring grinned
in triumph, and opened and shut his long, flexible limbs with wonderful
dexterity.
"You turned honest!" muttered the inspector, with an incredulous glance.
"That's the vay that ve is doubted," whined the treacherous scamp,
wiping his eyes, and pretending to feel as though his heart was broken;
"ven ve leaves off our bad vays, and becomes associates for the police,
then ve is suspected of being bad. There's precious little 'couragement
for us."
"Don't be too hard on the lad," the lieutenant said, "for he helped us
convict half a dozen of the worst bushrangers in the country, a few
weeks ago, and he saved his own life by--"
"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 attitude 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.