"Hadn't you better throw in a glass of liquor, and a few plugs of tobacco?" asked the officer, sarcastically, never having heard of such kind of treatment to people who were disposed to be vicious.
"Your suggestion is good, and shall be acted on," replied Fred, pleasantly. "Have you any other?"
"No, but I wish to tell you that you are laboring under a mistaken idea, and that you will regret your benevolent motives. Such a course as you describe might answer very well if the population of Ballarat was made up of high-minded and honorable men, and not the refuse of the old countries, whose crimes have outlawed them, and whose greatest inclination is to be in mischief."
"You forget," said Fred, "that this tax movement originated with the best and most intelligent men at the mines, and that the class of people you have described are bushrangers, or else men who live upon the community without work. If ever the miners and the government do have a collision, you will be surprised at the respectable ranks that the former will show."
"I have no doubt of it," responded Murden, dryly.
"Under these circumstances, we must think that it is better to depend upon ourselves than upon the police for protection, because the instant that the latter are arrayed on our side it will be known all over Ballarat, and then our business and reputation will be lost."
"Then you are really serious?" queried Murden, after a moment's thought.
"Quite so, for it is our only hope to escape persecution," returned Fred.
"Well, perhaps you are right," the officer said, "and I will consent to follow your suggestions; but I claim the privilege of assisting you in your watch."
"That we are quite willing to accord, and as it is past twelve o'clock we may as well begin it, for there is no knowing how soon our enemies may steal upon us."