said, still shaking his head and muttering to himself.

"Pray, what do you mean?" repeated Fred, beginning to feel a little
nervous and a little angry at the same time.

"Well, I suppose you know something 'bout the customs of the miners,
don't you?" Charley asked.

"I know nothing about your customs or laws, for I've been in Ballarat
only two hours, and yet I've fought a duel and eaten supper, work enough
for one man," Fred said.

"I forgive you," cried Charley, seizing our hands and shaking them in a
sudden burst of friendship.' "Say no more--I forgive you."

"For Heaven's sake, what have I done that deserves forgiveness on your
part?" demanded Fred.

"Why, didn't you know that on occasions like these 'ere the survivor of
a duel is expected to have a few refreshments set out in his tent, and
that all the principal men of Ballarat will be here to take a drink?"

"I certainly was not acquainted with such an understanding, and I don't
think that even my friend Smith, here, who has made many trips to
Melbourne and the mines, ever heard of it," replied Fred.

Smith shook his head to intimate that he was in blissful ignorance, and
just then one of the Californians, who acted as doorkeeper, put his head
into the tent and shouted,--"They're coming, Charley; are you ready for
'em?"

"You see," our friend said, with great coolness, "that something to
drink is expected, and yet we have nothing to offer. What are we to do?"

"What have you been accustomed to do?" interrogated Fred, beginning to
think that he had fallen among queer people, his countrymen included.

"Well, a gallon or two of gin, or the same amount of brandy, has always
been considered as about right. It all depends on a man's circumstances.
Now, you," and Charley fixed his eyes with great earnestness upon Fred's
form while speaking, "I calculate, is worth something considerably
handsome, and can afford to treat the boys pretty liberal."

"Is any thing more customary?" asked Fred, with a slight sneer.

"Well sometimes, when it's a pretty bad case, I've known a feller to
come down liberally with beer; but of course you can do as you please
about that. They sell first rate at the Californe saloon--new tap, just
arrived," and Charley's eyes sparkled at the prospect of getting a
drink.

"Then, perhaps, as I and my friend are strangers here, you will do me
the pleasure of acting as master of ceremonies, and order what you think
fit."

"But you'll pay