Carboni Raffaello, who had yet not opened his mouth, said: "Mr. Rede, I beg you would allow me to state, that the immediate object of the diggers taking up arms, was to resist any further licence-hunting. I speak for the foreign diggers whom I here represent. We object to the Austrian rule under the British flag. If you would pledge yourself not to come out any more for the licence, until you have communicated with Son Excellence, I would give you my pledge…—(I meant to say, that I was willing to pledge myself, and try if possible to assuage the excitement, and wait till 'our Charley' had sent up a decided answer…")—but I was instantly interrupted by Father Smyth who addressed me imperatively: "Give no pledge: sir, you have no power to do so."
This interruption, which I perfectly recollect, and the circumstance that on our going and returning, the said Father Smyth continually kept on a 'sotto voce' conversation with Mr. Black only, were, and are still, mysteries to me.
Mr. Rede, who had not failed to remark the abruptness with which Father Smyth had cut me short; joined both his hands, and with the stretched forefinger tapping me on both hands, which were clenched as in prayer, addressed to me these identical remarkable words, "My dear fellow, the licence is a mere watchword of the day, and they make a cat's-paw of you."
Mr. Black undertook my defence: the words above stuck in my throat, though.
Mr. Hackett, on being consulted, assented that Mr. Rede could promise us to take into consideration the present excited feelings of the diggers, and use his best judgment as to a further search for licences on the morrow.
Mr. Rede: "Yes, yes; but, understand me, gentlemen. I give no pledge."
The usual ceremonies being over, Sub-inspector Taylor kindly escorted us to the bridge, gave the pass-word, and to go—just as any one else will go in this land, who puts his confidence in red-tape—disappointed.
Chapter XLIII.
La Volpe Cambia Il Pelo, Ma Non La Pelle;
Cambia La Pelle Il Serpe, Non Il Veleno:
Il Cane Non Abbaia Col Ventre Pieno;
Vestesi Il Lupo In Pecora Tra Liagnelle.
Antica Storia;
Ma Senza Gloria.
By this time, the main road was crowded. The men were anxiously waiting to know our success. Mr. Black calmed their excitement as kindly as circumstances admitted. We returned to our camp at the Eureka. Mr. Black rendered an account of our mission with that candour which characterises him as a gentleman. I wished to correct him in one point only, and said, my impression was, that the Camp, choked with red-coats, would quash Mr. Rede's 'good judgment,' get the better of his sense, if he had any of either, and that he would come out licence-hunting on an improved style.