CHAPTER XXXVI.
ARRIVAL AT BALLARAT.—MR. BROWN'S STORY.
We walked slowly along the main street of Ballarat, and chatted with our new friend on a variety of subjects. He appeared to be well informed on mining, and shrugged his shoulders when we intimated that our intention was to get rich by delving in the earth, and bringing its riches to light.
"By the way," our new acquaintance said, "it is a little singular that Murden did not give you a letter to me. He knows that I am stationed here, and that I would do all in my power to assist his friends."
I suddenly recollected, that just before we left Melbourne, Murden did scribble off a letter, and hand it to me, with a remark, that perhaps it might be useful to us. I had forgotten the circumstance, but I knew where the note was, and I determined to hunt it up as soon as I returned to my tent.
"I have a letter from the lieutenant," I said; "but if I am not mistaken, it is addressed to a Mr. Brown, although where Mr. Brown is to be found is more than I can tell."
The little man laughed in a quiet manner, as though he did not wish to commit himself by being too jovial.
"I think that you have hit upon the right one," he said, "for my name is Brown."
"Then you shall have the note," I replied; "but I should never have thought of looking for the one that it is addressed to."