"By no means; you are not going to start so soon, I hope," the inspector replied.
"We see but little use of remaining here and wasting our means on an uncertainty," I answered.
"Have patience, my lads," replied the inspector, softly; "are there no other ways of making money besides mining?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, with a suspicious glance.
The inspector laughed, and slowly refilled his pipe.
"I don't propose to rob the specie train, or to waylay travellers. I think that money can be made in an honest manner, and without working very hard."
"But how? Show us the modus operandi."
"I will, with great pleasure. Make an agreement with your companion here, Smith, and let him return to Melbourne and load two teams with goods, such as I will give you a hint to buy. By the time he returns, you can have a store or large tent to receive them. Paint on a huge piece of canvas that you have fresh goods from England and the United States, and call your place the 'International Store." It will sound well, and half of the fellows here won't know what it means, and of course they will patronize you for the purpose of finding out."
"But where is the capital to come from?" I asked, thinking that I would test his friendship by pretending that we had but little money at our command.
"A thousand pounds will be enough; I will recommend you to dealers in Melbourne who will be glad to give you three months' credit," the inspector answered, promptly.