er request were preferred."

"But let your excellency consider. These men have been on tickets of
leave for a number of years, and not a word of complaint has been
received against them. I believe that I am justified in referring to the
captain of police for confirmation of my words."

The captain bowed, and smiled at my earnestness, and I continued:

"One of them, by honest industry, has accumulated a large property, but
the dreadful sentence of the court still clings to him, and if an enemy,
actuated by the desire to despoil him of his fortune, should prefer a
complaint, he would be arrested and consigned to the hulks, to die
perhaps of a broken heart. That is not the proper fate of a gallant man,
who has the good of the colony at heart, and is willing to shed his
blood in its defence."

"Ask of me any thing but the pardon of the two persons you mention, and
I shall be most happy to grant it," replied the governor, after a
moment's thought, and a half irresolute glance at Colonel Hensen, as
though asking his opinion before deciding.

"We have no other request to make, may it please your excellency,"
answered Fred, with dignity. "We came to Melbourne expressly to ask for
the men's pardon, and as it is not granted, you will allow us to take
our leave."

We bowed and stepped towards the door. The governor looked astonished at
our independence, and after a moment's whispering with his suite, he
recalled us.

"On one condition will I comply with your request," he said, and I saw
that the old weakness had returned to his face, and that he was no
longer the dignified executive officer.

"We await the proposition," I said.

"Why, the fact is, I have heard such good accounts of both of you, that
I am desirous of retaining your services. You are anxious for the full
pardon of the two convicts. I will comply with your request provided you
enter the police service for five years. The rank of lieutenants will he
bestowed on both of you."

"We are under the necessity of declining your intended kindness,"
replied Fred, ironically, "and as we cannot obtain what we wish without
sacrificing our independence, we again take our leave."

I saw a smile of satisfaction beam on the face of the colonel, and I
knew that our course met his approval.

"God bless me, what do they want?" asked the governor, in an agony of
irresolution, appealing to the colonel.

"They ask for no more than what your excellency should grant," replied