o, then, if I may ask?" the colonel
inquired.

"We meant our country, sir; we are not Englishmen, but Americans."

I saw the frown vanish from the brow of Colonel Hensen, and a look of
good nature passed over his face; but before he had an opportunity to
speak, the governor had his eye-glass up, and exclaimed,--

"God bless me, you don't mean to say that because you are Americans you
can extinguish this fire? Pray, what part of the United States do you
come from, that you possess such assurance?"

"We were both born within the shadow of Bunker Hill, your excellency,
and that famous spot overlooks Boston, a city of some importance in
America."

I heard a good-natured laugh at Fred's speech, although I was fearful
that those present would not relish joking at their ancestors' expense.
But I was mistaken; even the withered features of Mr. Latrobe relaxed
their expression of distrust, and he cried, "God bless me," and wrung
his hands for a minute or two before he spoke.

"If these young men think they can do any good with the engines, why,
God bless me, I don't know but they had better take charge of them," the
governor said, after a brief survey of the fire, and seeing what headway
it was making.

"I will answer for these two young men, your excellency," said a deep
voice, whose tones we recognized; and looking up, I found that our old
acquaintance, the captain of police, had approached us, unseen, and
overheard a part, of the discussion.

"Ha, captain," cried the governor, "you don't mean to say that you know
these two persons? God bless me, how singular."

"Not very extraordinary, sir, when I tell you that these are the
Americans whom I asked your excellency to receive to-day, and whose
petition I hope you will grant," replied the captain.

"God bless me, it isn't possible that these are the two Americans who
have been killing and making prisoners of those bushranging villains?
Why, they have hardly grown to be men!"

The governor seemed to forget the fire, for he surveyed us through his
eye-glass, and whispered to members of his suite, and said that he hoped
"God would bless him;" and I am sure I hope that the Almighty will, for
Mr. Latrobe has asked for it often enough.

Fred and myself were the centre of observation, and perhaps our modesty
was a little touched, for we heard the captain whisper to Colonel
Hensen, something like the following:--

"Murden tells me they are perfect dare-devils, and care n