"Five pound to two that neither is killed at the first fire," roared another.
"Make it mortally wounded, and Jim's your customer," replied an anxious miner, producing his small bag of gold to cover the stake.
"I'll go this nugget that the Yankee hits his man at the first fire," cried one fellow, holding up a lump of virgin gold as large as a hen's egg.
"I'll take it—I'll take it," a number of voices replied, and straight-way there was a rush towards him.
"Jim," cried our bully opponent, "do you go into the crowd and take a few bets on my account, as I am in want of money, and after I've killed this young sprig of insolence, I intend to go on a spree. Take all the odds offered."
I saw no one accept of the mission, so I concluded that the ruffian's words were merely intended as capital for the crowd, accessions to which were constantly increasing.
"Come," said Fred, speaking to Charley; "let us have this concluded as soon as possible, or the whole town of Ballarat will be here to witness it."
"That is just what. I want," replied our new-found friend, with great coolness. "If you are fortunate enough to kill the bully,—and I am sure I hope you will be,—every one who sees him fall will swear that the fight was a beautiful one, and that every thing was perfectly fair and just; 'while those who did not, will vow that murder has been committed, and urge the commissioner to arrest you. It's a great satisfaction sometimes to see a duel, and it's only right and proper that as many as possible should be gratified with the sport."
"But it appears to me that the population of the town is all here now," remonstrated Fred.
"There's where you are mistaken," replied Charley; "the news has hardly reached the miners in the shafts, and that class of people will feel deeply grieved unless they are among the spectators."