“It’s a trick to cheat us,” muttered the commissioner.

“Did you address a remark to me?” Fred asked, turning to the police officer.

The commissioner declined to reply, but he seemed to feel what he had uttered.

“The animals are wanted, and we shall take them, sir, for the use of the government; for the use of the government, sir, I suppose that you understand,” the colonel cried.

“That is something that we have no control over, and are not interested in.  I have no doubt that the owner or owners of the animals know how to protect their own property, and will do so.”

The commissioner made a signal to his men, and three or four of them started for the stable to remove the animals.  Just at that moment the agent of the stage company entered the store, and his presence was never more desirable.

“Hullo,” he cried, “what the devil are you doing with my horses, Fred?”

“We are doing nothing with them, but these gentlemen seemed to think that government was in want of them, and therefore are about to confiscate them.  I am glad that you have arrived in time to make terms of sale.”

“Terms of the devil!” the agent shouted; “here, you, sirs, take those animals back to the stable, or I’ll break you finer than a piece of quartz after it has passed through a mill!”

The men stood irresolute, and looked towards their chief.

“We want the animals,” the colonel said.

“And will have them,” the commissioner exclaimed.

“Gentlemen,” said the agent of the stage company, “these animals belong to me; I have paid for them, and have a bill of sale, and the man who dares to detain them does so at his peril.”

“Let us see the document,” the military man said, after a whispered consultation with the commissioner.

The agent handed the paper to the colonel, and he studied over it carefully.

“Why, this document was signed last night,” he exclaimed, with a sour look at Fred.

“What’s that got to do with the question?” the agent asked, abruptly.

“Because I believe that it’s a d——­n trick to cheat the government!” shouted the colonel, boiling over with rage.

“Do you dare address such words to me, sir?” cried Fred.

“Or to me, either?” demanded the agent.

“Your uniform shall be no protection, unless you unsay what you have uttered,” Fred continued, advancing in a menacing manner towards the colonel.

“Don’t be rash,” I whispered, laying a hand on Fred’s shoulder; “remember that he is high in rank, and won’t meet you.”

“But I will post him in every town in Australia, unless he apologizes or fights.”

“When the government solicited our company to establish a daily line of stages between Ballarat and Melbourne, we were promised all the assistance that officials could afford, and no interference was to be allowed; I see that the commissioner, and you, Colonel Kellum, are desirous of driving us from the town, and compelling us to abandon our enterprise.  I shall take immediate steps to let the government know the reason of our refusal to continue the contract.”