"'And get kotched by the beaks vile doing so!' rejoined Steel Spring, who appeared more anxious for flight than for blood.
"I remember seeing the ruffian start towards me, and then all was a blank until I awoke in the hospital at Sydney, where, by the way, I was obliged to stay for two weeks before I could get the physician's consent to let me return to Ballarat, and nearly three more passed before I was a well man."
"Did Darnley strike you after you fell?" asked Fred.
"He had no time, as I was afterwards informed. Just as he advanced towards me, the fellow I had outstripped appeared in sight, and the bushranger evidently thought that it was better to beat a retreat."
"And the gold, did you recover that?"
"Not a penny's worth, with the exception of that in the bank on deposit. I found out the relatives of the men murdered, and sent it to them, and very glad they were to get it."
"And the miner who escaped—where is he?"
"Here in Ballarat, a dissipated, shiftless wretch. The loss of his gold ruined him, for he has not had ambition enough to do a day's work since."
"Is the inspector here?" cried a man, thrusting his head into the tent just as Mr. Brown had concluded.
"Yes; what is wanting?" the little man asked.