The Gold Hunters' Adventures Part 121

"Then we can settle this matter in the morning, without trouble, or further debate."

"How?"

"By confronting the son with the father."

We determined to try the experiment at all hazards, and as there was no law by which we could be reached for detaining a supposed criminal without a warrant, I suggested that a pair of irons should be slipped upon his wrists, for the purpose of insuring his security during the night, and that in the morning we should consult with Mr. Brown, and be governed by his advice.

My proposition was accepted, and the matter was communicated to Follet, who swore many strange oaths, and would have resisted, but he found that it was useless; and to add to his terror, Rover sat within a few feet of him, displaying his ivories, and ready to avenge his affront upon the first symptom of hostility.

The stranger at length complied with our terms, and while we provided a bed for him, we did not fail to intimate that Rover was to watch by his side, and give an alarm, in case he meant mischief during the night, of which we were not much afraid.

At daybreak we wore all astir, and ready for business. We provided a substantial breakfast for our prisoner, and then I sought the presence of the inspector, and laid the whole matter before him.

He agreed with me that it was only right and just that Follet should make reparation for the wrongs that he had inflicted, but thought that it was hardly fair to make the son betray the father.

After studying over the matter some time, the inspector visited the prison, and got the young man to give a description of his parent, and so perfect was the likeness that there could be no doubt of his ident.i.ty.

Then, for the first time, did we tell the forger that he had a son near him, who was held to answer for an attempt at murder. The feelings of the man were obliged to yield before the intelligence, but how much more intense was his sorrow, when told that his son had nearly murdered the very man who had stepped forward to save him from starvation!

"He came honestly by the disposition, so don't blame your son," said Brown, bluntly. "Consider how much injury you have caused the old gentleman, and ask your heart if there is not an opportunity to make some redress!"

"What would you have me do?" demanded the forger, sullenly.

"You own a well-stocked tract of land; you must give him a deed of it, and then leave this part of the country forever," Mr. Brown said.

"But then I shall have to begin the world without a penny, and I am growing old," pleaded the forger.

"So did your victim; and yet his age is greater than yours. When stripping him of wealth you had no misgivings, and as you showed no mercy, neither shall we."

"Give me time to consult with my friends," pleaded Follet; but Mr. Brown was deaf to his entreaties.

"Either go with me before the commissioner, and give a t.i.tle to your property, or else you go to prison and wait the return of a s.h.i.+p to England, where you will be tried for forgery, and probably condemned.

You can take your choice--a life at the hulks, or freedom and poverty."

"This is a d----d trap!" yelled the forger, "but I will not be caught so easily."

"As you please," returned Mr. Brown, carelessly; "I have a greater desire to see justice executed on men of your stamp than to attempt to compromise matters. Come with me."

He pa.s.sed his arm through Follet's, and beckoned Mike to do likewise; but before the trio had taken three steps towards the door the forger's heart began to soften.

"Am I to be locked up?" he demanded.

"Ay, in the darkest cell in the prison," returned Mr. Brown, firmly.

"One moment!" he exclaimed; "will you agree to let me go free if I comply with your request?"

We gave the required pledge, and in less than three hours' time we had the satisfaction of placing in Mr. Critchet's hands a deed of all the property owned by Follet; and although the amount was not near the sum that the former had expended to save the latter's neck, yet it was sufficient to place the old gentleman in affluent circ.u.mstance's for the remainder of his life.

CHAPTER LXIV.

MR. BROWN'S DISCHARGE FROM THE POLICE FORCE.--BILL SWINTON'S CONFESSION.

Mr. Brown, who had interested himself so successfully in Mr. Critchet's affairs, to be sure that Follet did not return to his stock-house, sent two men, old and experienced shepherds, to take charge of the stock and exercise a general supervision over the property until Mr. Critchet was disposed to sell it for the most that he could get, and he did not have to wait long for an offer; for one day the old gentleman astonished us by imparting the information that he had got a letter from a person in Melbourne who was anxious to buy, and desired an interview immediately.

Our friend left the same day in the stage line, but before he went he made us a present of his claim, and a munificent gift it was.

We saw the old gentleman no more in Australia, but when in London, on our way home, via the overland route from China and the Indies, we had the satisfaction of once more shaking his hand, and fighting our battles over. His daughter was as handsome as she was accomplished, and her grat.i.tude towards us for the kindness which we had shown her parent would undoubtedly have caused her to look with some degree of favor upon our suits, had we been disposed to demand the sacrifice. Fred was too modest, and I lacked confidence, and between us both we left London without daring to propose for the lady's hand. She is still unmarried, and her father writes me that she shows no disposition for matrimony. If I was not fearful of meeting with a rebuff, there would he one bachelor less in the world, or, as the stage heroes say, I would "perish in the attempt."

"I am tired of this," the inspector said, one day, entering the store, and throwing his weary form upon a mattress. "For nearly a week I have hardly had an opportunity to close my eyes, and my men are in the same exhausted condition as myself. I have warded off the blows as long as possible. But now I see no way of escaping a collision."

"What do you intend to do?" Fred asked.

"Resign my position, and let the commissioner take the responsibility. I have written thrice, asking to be exchanged, but at head-quarters they appear to be deaf to my prayers. You may think that it is cowardly to thus attempt to escape my share of the work, but you have been in too many exciting frays not to know me better, and to feel that where a blow is to be struck in a good cause I am never backward."

We a.s.sured the inspector that we never entertained a doubt of his courage, and that whatever course he decided on would meet with our approval.

"I cannot stay here and order men to fire upon miners whom I have known for many months, and whom I entertain a sincere regard for. Besides,"

and here the inspector lowered his voice and whispered confidentially, "the miners are in the right, and I don't blame them for standing out against a tax that is levied upon all without regard to the amount of gold obtained."

"Had you not better remain as long as possible, and perhaps delay will enable the government to see the suicidal course that they are attempting. If you leave, and Mr. Sherwin is allowed full sway, I will not answer for peace twenty-four hours," Fred said.

"I have already made more sacrifices to my sense of dignity and manhood in the vain attempt to keep Mr. Sherwin within bounds and moderation than the country will ever give me credit for; and yet I am blamed, and accused of not doing my duty, because I do not fill the prison, and load with chains every person who utters a word against the government. If I had a sensible man to deal with instead of the commissioner, I think that this storm would blow over, or at least be delayed for some months, until advices could be received from the Home Secretary. But as it is--"

Mr. Brown stopped talking suddenly; and when I looked up to learn the cause, I saw, to my surprise, that Mr. Sherwin had entered the store unperceived, and had probably heard a portion of the conversation.

There was an embarra.s.sing silence for a few moments; although Mr. Brown did not look at all frightened by the presence of his superior officer.

I expected a scene, and I was not disappointed, for ill feeling had long been engendered between them, partly owing to the mining tax, which Mr.

Sherwin was supposed to have induced government to believe was just and equitable, and partly owing to conciliatory measures instead of harsh ones, which Mr. Brown had judged best to adopt for the purpose of keeping Ballarat quiet.

"I need not suggest," said Mr. Sherwin, with one of his most sarcastic smiles, "that this store is hardly the place to squander time in when so many disloyal men are plotting against the government, and when an outbreak is threatened every hour."

"You are, undoubtedly, addressing your conversation to me," Mr. Brown exclaimed, with a lazy yawn, and a good-natured smile.

"I certainly am," was the short rejoinder, accompanied by a look of surprise.

"And I suppose that you think I am not doing my duty, simply because I am resting my weary form?" Mr. Brown asked, still maintaining his composure.

"Your thoughts are perhaps right on that point. Time is all that we desire now until the troops arrive, when we can deal with these foolish men as we please, and as the best interests of the country demand."

"I don't think that I distinctly understand you," the inspector remarked. "Do you wish me to break up the meetings which the miners are holding, and make arrests for every dissatisfied word that is uttered?"

"Such a course would meet my approbation, and, I think, the approval of the governor and his advisers. You may take a different view of the matter."

"And if I should venture to differ with you, what then?" demanded Mr.

Brown, his cheeks flus.h.i.+ng slightly.