seems not very suitable; but, as
you truly observe, she has lost her natural protector, for of course you
cannot be a father to her any longer. Yes, I'll go and see Fred about
it."

Tom had considerable qualms of conscience as to the propriety of the
step he meditated, and tried to argue with himself as he went in search
of his friend.

"You see," he soliloquised aloud, "her brother is dying; and then,
though I am not a whit more worthy of her than I was, the case is
nevertheless altered, for she has no father now. Then by marrying her I
shall have a right to protect her--and she stands greatly in need of a
protector in this wild country at this time, poor thing! and some one to
work for her, seeing that she has no means whatever!"

"Troth, an' that's just what she does need, sor!" said Paddy Flinders,
stepping out of the bush at the moment. "Excuse me, sor, but I cudn't
help hearin' ye, for ye was spakin' out loud. But I agree with ye
intirely; an', if I may make so bowld, I'm glad to find ye in that state
o' mind. Did ye hear the news, sor? They've found goold at the hid o'
the valley here."

"Indeed," said Tom, with a lack of interest that quite disgusted his
volatile friend.

"Yes, indade," said he. "Why, sor, they've found it in big nuggets in
some places, an' Muster Gashford is off wid a party not half an hour
past. I'm goin' mesilf, only I thought I'd see first if ye wouldn't
jine me; but ye don't seem to care for goold no more nor if it was
copper; an that's quare, too, whin it was the very objec' that brought
ye here."

"Ah, Flinders, I have gained more than my object in coming. I _have_
found gold--most fine gold, too, that I won't have to leave behind me
when it pleases God to call me home. But never fear, I'll join you. I
owe you and other friends a debt, and I must dig to pay that. Then, if
I succeed in the little scheme which you overheard me planning, I shall
need some gold to keep the pot boiling!"

"Good luck to ye, sor! so ye will. But plaze don't mintion the little
debt you say you owe me an' the other boys. Ye don't owe us nothin' o'
the sort. But who comes here? Muster Fred it is--the very man I want
to see."

"Yes, and I want to see him too, Paddy, so let me speak first, for a
brief space, in private, and you can have him as long as you like
afterwards."

Fred Westly's opinion on the point which his friend put before him
entirely coincided with that of Paul Bevan.

"