his right boot had no heel. On returning home
this afternoon, and hearing what had happened, I went to the spot where
the bag of gold had been discovered, and there, sure enough, I found
footprints, one of which shewed that the wearer's right boot had _no
heel_. Now, gentlemen, it don't need much speaking to make so clear a
matter clearer, I leave you to judge whether this robbery has been
committed by the Chinaman or not."

Ned's speech was received with various cries; some of which shewed that
the diggers were not satisfied with his explanation, and Ah-wow's fate
still trembled in the balance, when the owner of the bag of gold stepped
forward and admitted that he had observed similar foot-marks in the
neighbourhood of his tent just after the robbery was committed, and said
that he believed the Chinaman was innocent. This set the matter at
rest. Ah-wow was cast loose and congratulated by several of the
bystanders on his escape, but there seemed a pretty general feeling
amongst many of the others that they had been unjustly deprived of their
prey, and there is no saying what might have happened had not another
culprit appeared on the scene to divert their attention.

The man who was led forward had all the marks of a thorough desperado
about him. From his language it was impossible to judge what country
had the honour of giving him birth, but it was suspected that his last
residence had been Botany Bay. Had this man's innocence been ever so
clearly proved he could not have escaped from such judges in their then
disappointed state of mind; but his guilt was unquestionable. He had
been caught in the act of stealing from a monte table. The sum was not
very large, however, so it was thought a little too severe to hang him;
but he was condemned to have his head shaved, his ears cut off, and to
receive a hundred lashes.

The sentence was executed promptly, notwithstanding the earnest
remonstrances of a few of the better-disposed among the crowd: and Ned,
seeing that he could do nothing to mitigate the punishment of the poor
wretch, left the spot with his comrades and the rescued Chinaman.

That night, as they all sat round their camp-fire, eating supper with a
degree of zest known only to those who labour at severe and out-of-door
occupation all day, Ned Sinton astonished his companions not a little,
by stating his intention to leave them for the purpose of making a tour
through the country.

"Make a tour!" excla