The Gold Hunters' Adventures Part 35

"G.o.d bless me," said his excellency, rubbing his hands as though he had caught cold the night before, and he wished to quicken the circulation of his blood, "G.o.d bless me, can it be possible?"

He didn't say what it was that surprised him so much, but I gave a shrewd guess that our change of costume had improved our appearance to such a degree that we should have been pa.s.sed in the street by our most intimate friends unrecognized.

"Don't be backward in making known your wants," whispered the colonel, while the governor was wringing his hands.

"Both of you, gentlemen, are ent.i.tled to my warmest grat.i.tude for the zeal which you displayed last night," the governor at length said, "and I embrace the present opportunity to thank you. G.o.d bless me, I wish that all of the emigrants who reach our sh.o.r.es were of the same stamp.

We should be more prosperous and happy."

"We trust, for the honor of America, that all who claim our country as their home will never give your excellency cause of uneasiness," Fred said, with a slight how.

"G.o.d bless me, I hope not," echoed the governor. "But I have great cares on my mind, great cares; and sometimes I think that I shall have to return to old England, and let some younger man occupy my place."

The governor's suite maintained a profound silence, which struck us as very singular; but then we did not know that a new ruler was on his way to Australia, and that the home government had got most heartily tired of the vacillating policy of Mr. Latrobe, and that the several gentlemen who surrounded him were aware of it, and were all ready to pay court to the rising star, as soon as he set foot ash.o.r.e at Melbourne.

Finding that no one replied, the governor slowly chafed his hands, and said--

"We owe you another debt of grat.i.tude, I believe, for the gallantry which prompted you to risk your lives, when you joined forces with our police. You intimated that you had some request to make of me, as a reward for your conduct. Pray, let me hear what your pet.i.tion is, and if it be reasonable, I will grant it."

For the first time did the governor seem to act the part of a ruler. He threw off, as with a violent effort, all of his shuffling and weakness, and stood before us a man. Perhaps the little sympathy which he saw expressed upon the faces of his suite was the cause of his changing.

"If we have been instrumental in freeing your roads of robbers," I said, calmly and distinctly, "it is not because we thirsted for the blood of the unfortunate men, but simply from a desire to pa.s.s to and from the mines without molestation. We do not, of course, know in what light the captain of police has reported our conduct, but there are others more deserving than ourselves, and to them should be awarded all the credit, if, indeed, there is any credit in resisting when attacked."

"I think that mention was made concerning two convicts who had displayed considerable bravery, but it had nearly escaped my mind. Do your remarks refer to them?" inquired the governor.

"They do, sir," I said, "and in their behalf do we appear before you to-day, knowing that your excellency will kindly consider all we say, and grant our pet.i.tion."

"Go on, sir," said the governor, with a wave of his hand that was full of grace and dignity.

"The two convicts who were brought to the notice of your excellency fought with us side by side, and in one engagement, a band of desperate bushrangers were destroyed before the police made their appearance.

Black Darnley, the leader of the gang, was killed, and knowing that a large reward was offered for his arrest or death, we thought your excellency would exercise your usual clemency and grant the men a free pardon for their past offences."

"You know not what you ask for," said the governor, hastily, and I thought impatiently; and then in a milder tone he continued: "I am so hampered by the home government that I rarely interfere in such matters, and would much rather some other 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 acc.u.mulated 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.

"G.o.d 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 the colonel, bluntly.

"But suppose the convicts should commit fresh crimes after I have pardoned them?" asked the governor. "What would the home office say?"

"Point to the good which the men have done, and see if it does not outweigh heavy faults," replied the colonel.

"You are right, and the pet.i.tion of the young men is granted. Call to-morrow at the office of the secretary, and obtain the doc.u.ments; at the same time let me inform you that if the home office does not concur in my decision, the pardons are void. I do not antic.i.p.ate any serious objections, however, when I state the reasons which have governed my conduct."

We thanked his excellency in suitable terms, and were about turning away, when an almost imperceptible movement on the part of Colonel Hensen claimed our attention. Slight as it was, we understood him, and determined to strike while the iron was hot.

"We do not wish to give your excellency unnecessary trouble, but if you would instruct your secretary to furnish the pardons this afternoon, we know of one man who will receive it as the greatest birthday present that can be given him."

"G.o.d bless me, is that the case?" cried the governor.

We repeated our statement that Smith's birthday would be celebrated in a becoming manner, if his excellency was disposed to be lenient.

"Then G.o.d forbid that I should be the cause of any one's unhappiness.

Mr. Secretary, prepare the doc.u.ments, and I will sign them immediately."

The governor had hardly ceased before the gentleman referred to had left the room. While he was absent a number of questions was asked us concerning our country, and I think a few of our replies surprised not only Mr. Latrobe, but the staff which surrounded him.

"G.o.d bless me! it's marvellous to think of. The Americans are a great people, there's no denying it, and I think in time will even equal the parent country."

We did not enter into any argument with those present concerning the relative strength of the two nations, but just as a question was addressed to us regarding our navy, the secretary returned and handed two papers to the governor, who, after a brief glance at their contents, affixed his signature, and handed the doc.u.ments to us.

"There, I have gratified you, young gentlemen, and now I request a return for my kindness," said the governor, smiling.

"Any thing that your excellency may wish," stammered Fred, hardly knowing what was coming.

"I wish both of you to stop and dine with me to-day, and if you refuse, never ask me for another pardon."

The governor smiled good-humoredly as we hesitated, and before we knew how to frame an excuse we were moving towards the dining-room arm-in-arm with Colonel Hensen and the captain of police.

That dinner will long live in my memory, not only for the good cheer, to which we had long been strangers, but for the social manner in which we were treated by the governor and his guests.

Even the hound, who had received a large share of attention, was permitted to enter the dining-room, and by the manner in which his eyes glistened I thought he appeared to enjoy himself as well as the rest of the company.