noon
`` About twenty-five miles from Ballarat , a singular looking genius had joined them , and requested permission to travel in their company . He manifested so much fear of robbers , and told about his aristocratic relatives , and the large amount of money on his person , that a ready assent was given to his request . '' `` It must have been Steel Spring , '' I said . The little man nodded his head in token of assent , and continued : -- `` At noon , on the day that Steel Spring joined the party , a halt was proposed , under the shade of a gum tree that stood near the road . The miners , tired with the long walk , readily consented , and after partaking of their humble fare , Steel Spring produced a bottle , and invited all to join him in a friendly drink . He did not have to ask twice , and although no suspicions were entertained by the miners , the relater of the transaction told me that he noticed that Steel Spring 's sups at the flask were short , and not at all frequent . `` The treacherous scamp , after he had won their confidence by relating some incidents connected with his early life , began to examine the guns which the miners carried ; and after he had finished , and when the men were about ready to commence their journey , a stout , dark-faced , ferocious-looking man appeared before them .