ight on sight, and steal
such of each other's possessions as could be easily and expeditiously
removed. Dick's excitement soon evaporated; evidently root smoking was
conducive to a philosophical frame of mind.

'We'll get them back all right--after,' he said.

'They'll work Butts to a shadder,' Jacker remarked insinuatingly.

'Then we'll go down some night, an' strip Amson's garden.' Amson was a
prominent resident of Cow Flat, and had nothing whatever to do with the
goat raid, but the boyish sense of justice does not stoop to find
distinctions.

Jacker Mack had another string to his bow. 'They say Harry Hardy's comin'
home this week,' he said.

'No!' cried Dick, much moved. 'Who says?'

'Gable says.'

'Pooh! Gable's a kid.'

'No matter, it's true. Mrs. Hardy had a letter, 'n Harry's coming down
with cattle.'

'Gosh! he'll make it hot for Tinribs, I bet.'

Waddy had been waiting for Harry Hardy to come home, confident that he
would do something of an exciting character to the disadvantage of those
persons who had been instrumental in sending his brother Frank to gaol.
Harry was much the younger of the two brothers; for some years he had
been away droving, and the news of his brother's misfortune was bringing
him home from a Queensland station. The township thought, too, there
would be a score to wipe out on his mother's account, and the return was
looked for as an important public event.

Dick pondered over the situation for a moment. It would never do to miss
any entertainment that might result from Harry's return, and yet there
was Joel Ham still to be reckoned with.

'I think we'd better wait,' he said. 'You fellows can let on as soon's he
arrives.'

Ted's face fell again, and Jacker moved uneasily. He was anxious to be
out of the mine and away from the uncanny possibilities of that dark
chasm, and yet it was absolutely necessary that he should show no sign of
funk, leave no opening for the tongue of derision. Some day, perhaps,
when the full strength of the company was available and candles were
numerous, he would follow Dick's lead in the work of exploration, but for
the present his whole desire was to get to the surface. Now recollection
came, and with it hope. Diving into his breast pocket, he drew and
crumpled envelope, and handed it to Dick.

A letter,' he said, 'from your mother.'

Dick was surprised; as he took the note Jacker discovered an accusation
in his eye.

'The oath don't say noth