"What made you run away from us?" he demanded angrily.
"What made you think I was running away from you?" I inquired in turn.
"What made you run at all?" put in the second trooper.
"Because I was in haste to reach home," I answered.
The two then talked together in a low voice, after which one of them
told me that I must go along with them.
"For what reason?" I asked; but received no answer. They were either
unwilling, or unable, to give me a reason.
The two policemen, who had pursued me on foot, now came up; and all four
insisted on my being taken along with them, a prisoner, to the police
camp!
I refused to come out of the tent; and cautioned them not to enter it--
without showing me their warrant, or some authority for the intrusion.
They paid no attention to what I said; but stepping inside the tent,
rudely conducted me out of it.
I accompanied them without making resistance--thinking that when brought
before a magistrate, I should get them reprimanded for what they had
done.
In the afternoon, I was arraigned before, the "bench," and charged with
molesting and interfering with the police in the execution of their
duty! My accusers told their story; and I was called upon for my
defence.
I informed the magistrate, that I had never been an unlicenced miner for
a single day, since I had been on the diggings; and I entered upon a
long speech--to prove, that in moving about the gold-fields, I had the
right to travel at any rate of speed I might choose; and that I had
unlawfully been dragged out of my tent--which being my "castle," should
not have been invaded in the manner it had been.
This was what I intended to have said; but I did not get the opportunity
of making my forensic display: for the magistrate cut me short, by
stating, that I had been playing what the diggers call a "lark," and by
doing so, had drawn the police from their duty. They had been seeking
for those who really had _not_ licences; and who, through my
misbehaviour, might have been able to make their escape!
In conclusion, this sapient justice fined me forty shillings!
There was an _injustice_ about this decision--as well as the manner in
which I had been treated--that aroused my indignation. I had broken no
law, I had done nothing but what any free subject had a right to do, yet
I had been treated as a criminal, and mulcted of my money--in fact,
robbed of two pounds sterling!
After this affair, I was disgusted with Avoca; and, in less than an hour
after, I rolled up my blankets, and took the road for Ballarat--this
being the place to which I always turned, when not knowing where else to
go.
Everyone must have some place that they look upon as a home--a point
from which to start or take departure. Mine was Ballarat: for the
reason that I liked that place better than any other in the colony.
I had made more money on the Ballarat diggings than elsewhere in
Australia; and I had never left the place to go to any other, without
having cause to regret the change. This time, I determined, on my
return to Ballarat, to stay there--until I should be ready to bid a
final adieu to Australia.
Volume Three, Chapter X.