The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-11-22

I was struck by the altered expression
Of his countenance. His face was
flushed, and there was wild, unsteady
light in his eye. l should have sup
posed that he had been drinking, but
that knew him to be strict teetotaller
and that there was not drop of intoxi-
eating fluid in any Of our tents, for in
1852 all spirit-selling on the diggings
was carried on clandestinely, and was
therefore Stunned by such steady, re.
spectacle folks as most of our neighbors
were.
"My dear friend" said Brocklebank,
taking me by the hand, 81 have never
been able to forgive myself the misery
you underwent The thought has haun-
ted me night and day"
"Don't say anything more about it
now," entreated. "You begged my
pardon the other day until was quite
ashamed. 1t was, dare say, whole
some lesson for me. shall have more
pity for other supposed criminals, in fu-
ture."
Not" pursued Brocklebank, mus
ingly, as if in soliloquy, "that am per.
scnally responsible for your suflerings.
That crime lies at other mems doors"
did not comprehend this last obser-
walton, but he proceeded to say
And now am going to beg a favor,
"a favor which l scarcely venture to ask
of you after what you have undergone.
l want you to sacrifice nights rest,
and keep watch in my tent tonight.
/ have received information" he ad-
ded, sinking his voice to an impressive
whisper, that tonight my store is to
be attacked and plundered. / have
plenty of arms. Will you come, Par
kerr"
81 shall be delighted" 1 said, warm
ing at the prospect of an adventure in
which was more likely to play the
part of thief-taker than thief. "But
wouldn't it be well to tell Langford,
Adamson, and the others, so as to have
a strong party here to meet the scoun
drels 2"
"No, no." he said, mysteriously
grasping me by the wrist, ION no ac
count. Don't say word to them.
will tell you why tonight"
could not, however, keep the dut.
} which hal undertaken to fulfil alto
gether secret, for was obliged to tel
Langford and Adamson that was 60
) ing to sleep in Brocklebank's tent.
"Mercy on the lad!" cried the ol,
Scotsman. "Why, / should hae thoch
! ye'd had enough of Brocklebank's ten
by this time. What does he want w
yeT
r "He wants me for company. He
o rather nervous" / answered evasively
e "There's something queer abou
: Brocklebank, observed LangforC
= ale has grown very silent and yer
+ strange during the last few days.
h hope he isn't going to stop paymen
l. There are twenty ounces Of our har
n earned gold in his hands"
y "Nae fear o'that," answered Adar
son.
I'd With these words he lighted his pip
le and whistling to his dog, stalked for
n gun in hand to look after chance opt
ed sum.
n "Well, Parker" said Langford,
If, suppose you'd better go, but for go'
as ness sake don't get into another mes:
RS. 81 think there's no fear of that" /
In piled, laughingly.
a 81 don't like Brocklebank quite as W
r. as Idid," observed my mate, ,-"there'
he curious suspicious look in his eyes, a
IN, he sometimes scows at me as if l /
~, committed crime"
lie With these words our conversat
he terminated, and soon after / went i
d's the Royal Liver Store for the night
Brocklebank was sitting on tlC
I'd, barrel, reading a book by the light
rse solitary candle. The flushed and eX
ID ed look which had characterized
l face earlier in the day had quite dis
to peared his manner was calm, dell
ar crate, and business-like. After W
Did he had told me during our late in
view, 1 was not surprised to see c
TX. ped and loaded revolver lying by
side, although had been given to
lp- destand by LangfOrd and Others
led our part of the diggngs was almost
mas free from crimes of violence as an +
hat lish country village. However, he m
rd- no allusion the weapon at his side,
lly for considerable time we sat conv
ing on various topics unconnected v
an the business for which had visited
tent. BY degrees the sounds produ
zap by European civilization became f
10 ter; the last digger discharged the
Is tents ofhisgu or pistol previous to re-
eht ing it,even the dogs began togrow sic
M and Australian Nature reasserted
ry- reign in the melancholymopingcry o
am more poke, or Southern owl, and
ap- ceaseless chatter Of the bullfrogs il
lrer adjacent swamp. Then Brockleh
10 quietly closing his book, and laying
hand upon his revolver, addrcssed
thus:-
liy, ~ have this day received infoi
OUT nation of II most startling characte
Tor "Indeed !"
OF "You saw me talking to oSuperint
"'es ent Roberts, did you not?"
10 81 do not know Superintendent
y i erts," | returned.
'|a "'' mo, forgot, you are Il new cl
Wv Well, Roberts gave me some very
my able information. You will be a
7"i ished, as | was, when you hear it.
~ =, are living, Mr.. Parker, in de
20 ' VI thieves and murderers.
10 a 81 am not speaking generally,
to.n lude to our own immediate neig
'n,l,, hood, our own so-called acquaint
,ino companions, and friends. will
,r itS with Fry"
FRY! thought you knew his
ord ly in Liverpool, and that his fathe
ord,s a highly respected horse.dealer tn