"And what then?" we inquired.
"Why, after we had got to going we'd send a feller, and I know one who would do first rate, to the United States, and after playing our keerds putty well, we'd agree to annex Australia to the United States, and we'd do it, too, by thunder."
We could hardly retain our countenances long enough to listen to the splendid burst of expectation which Charley had dreamed upon so long, that he really fancied his project was practicable. Conquest first, and annexation afterwards, is the theme upon which Americans harp when in strange lands.
"You don't know the feller that I have in my mind's eye!" Charley said, after a few minutes' silence.
"No, I am not acquainted with any of my countrymen here at Ballarat," Fred replied, with a vacant look.
"The fellow that I know hain't bin here in Ballarat a great while."
"Indeed."
"Yes; and though I don't know your name, I reckon you'd do the trick putty neat."
"O," answered Fred, with a smile, "it's me that is to be honored with so delicate a mission, is it? To what am I indebted for the selection?"
"Wall, we want your help to stir the folks up, and no mistake. Me and Ben have been and talked the matter over, and we've agreed to let you have that 'ere office, if you will back us up; Ben is to do a good part of the fighting, and I'm to negotiate."