The inspector paid no attention to his words, but occupied himself with receiving money from a number of miners who were disposed to pay their taxes without a murmur, and didn't wish the bother of a dispute.
"Move on," said Mr. Brown, at length, and the cavalcade started with Pat Regan in the centre.
"Mr. Brown—inspector dear—O darling, listen to me for a moment," cried out our Irish friend.
"Well, what is wanting?" inquired our chief, halting.
"And what is ye taking me off for?" asked Regan, indignantly.
"For non-payment of taxes."
"And who refused to pay taxes?—tell me that, Mr. Brown."
"You declined paying; so of course you will have to devote the next three days to work on the road. Move on."
"Hold a minute, Mr. Brown, for here's the money; but it's little good it will do ye, mind what I say, for to-night I shall write to my friend the governor-general, and relate the circumstance of this arrest, and me money will be sent back with many an apology, let me tell ye. It's a relation I am of the governor's, his wife being a Regan on the side of me grandfather; and it's many a time I've talked with her ladyship when we went to school together in the county of Cork."
This speech was also received with shouts of laughter by those assembled, and even while Pat was paying over his dust he continued to grumble and threaten; and when we got clear of him he bade us adieu with a mocking smile, perfectly satisfied to think that he had delayed us all that he was able to, and that if he did ultimately have to pay over the money, he afforded sport enough for his companions to last a week.