the day, and with clay-stained and soddened garments were
returning to their various tents or "humpies" of bark, all of them
contentedly smoking, and ready for their usual supper of salt beef,
damper, and tea. Many of the stalwart fellows recognised the ex-officer
of Black Police, and bade him a pleasant "good evening, boss," and
presently he was hailed by Sam Young, Cockney Smith, and others of
Fraser's party. He dismounted and shook hands with Young, and asked him
where was the "pub," as he intended to put up there for the night.

Young protested against his going there. "There it is, Mr Aulain, over
there," and he pointed to the bush public house, a low, bark-roofed
structure on the edge of the creek; "but you can't stay there to-night
It's Saturday, you see, and the boys will be there in force to-night,
and you'll get no sleep. Besides, Mr Fraser would be real put out if you
didn't go to him. He's just gone home. He and Miss Kate live up on the
bluff."

"I know. I'll go and see them after supper, but I'd rather camp down
here for to-night."

"Then come to our tent. There's plenty of room, and plenty of tucker,
and any amount of grass along the creek for your horses."

Aulain accepted the offer, and after unsaddling and turning out his
horses, he was provided with a piece of soap, an alleged towel, and a
bucket of water, and made a hasty wash in company with Young and his
mates. Then came supper and the interchange of the usual mining news.
Two years before, not one of his present companions would have addressed
him without the prefix of "Mister"; but now he was one of themselves, a
digger, and would himself have felt awkward and uncomfortable if any one
of them had had the lack of manners and good sense to "Mister" him.

Supper over he lit his pipe, and telling Young he would be back about
ten and take a hand at euchre, he set out and took the mountain path to
the summit of the bluff. It was a beautifully clear moonlight night--so
clear that every leaf of the trees which stood on the more open sides of
the rocky track showed out as if it were mid-day, and a bright sun was
shining overhead.

When he was within sight of Fraser's dwelling, he heard two shots above
him, and then Kate speaking.

"I've got four of the little villains, father."

The sound of her voice thrilled him, and he hastened his steps. In a
few minutes he saw Douglas Fraser, who was seated outside smoking his
after-supper pipe.

"How are