"My anger has now entirely passed away; and yet I know I am still having some revenge--in addition to that I have already got. Wherever they may be, they are not living happily. They know that they have done wrong; and I'd lay a wager, there's not an hour of the day that they're not thinking of me, and dreading that I will make my appearance. "I can return to my native land, and be happy. They cannot. I never wish to see either of them again: for I have become philosophical, and am willing that their crime should bring about its own punishment." I congratulated Farrell on the philosophy that had enabled him so successfully to regain his tranquillity of spirit; and, after giving each other mutual directions for meeting again, we parted company. Volume Two, Chapter XXX. ODD FASHIONS IN THE GOLD FIELDS. Farrell's philosophical resolve--to trouble the delinquents no more-- formed the subject of my reflections, as I walked towards my tent. It was an illustration of the power which circumstances may have, in allaying even the strongest passion: for I knew that, when first made acquainted with his dishonour, the man had felt both deeply and resentfully. I could not help applying the lesson to myself. "Is it possible," thought I, "that any circumstances can ever arise to allay my longings for Lenore? Is there in time a power that will yet appease them?" My sentimental reflections were interrupted, by a scene that was of a different character--altogether comical. Not far from the place where I had parted with Farrell, I saw a crowd collected around a tent. Two miners, who had been "regular mates," were quarrelling; and their neighbours had gathered upon the ground, to be edified by an abundance of vituperative eloquence. After the two men had, for a considerable time, amused the bystanders with their dispute, there appeared to be but one point upon which they could agree. That was that they should remain "mates" no longer. The tent, some provisions in it, along with their mining tools and cooking utensils, they owned in common: having shared between them the expense attending their purchase. As these things could not be divided to the satisfaction of both parties, it was proposed that each should remove from the tent, whatever was fairly entitled to be called his "private property," and that everything held in common--including the tent itself--should be burnt! This proposal was at once agreed to.