One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness. He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself. Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested. Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication. In paying for these drinks, he pulled out a bag of gold dust, which carried, judging from its size, about one hundred ounces; and a man behind the bar, weighed from it the few specks required in payment for the liquor. There was something in the appearance of this miner that strangely interested me. I fancied that I had seen him before; but could not tell where. While I was endeavouring to identify him, he staggered out of the house into the street--leaving me in doubt, as to whether we had met before or not. The thoughts of my companion Guinane, were not absorbed by wanderings like mine; and he had been more observant of what was transpiring around him. After the miner had gone out, he came close up to me, and whispered:-- "That man will be robbed. When he pulled out his bag of gold to pay for the drink, I saw two men exchange glances, and walk out before him. They will waylay, and rob him. Shall we let them do it?" "Certainly not," I answered, "I like the look of the man; and do not think that he deserves to lose his money." "Come on then!" said Guinane; and we both stepped out into the street. The first direction in which we turned was the wrong one: for, after proceeding about a hundred yards, nothing of the drunken man was to be seen; and we knew that he was too drunk to have got any farther away. We turned back; and walked at a quick pace--indeed, ran--in the opposite direction. This time our pursuit was more successful. We saw the drunken miner lying on the pavement, with two men standing over him, who pretended, as we came up, that they were his friends; and that they were endeavouring to get him home. Had the drunken man been willing to accept of their assistance, we might have found no excuse for interfering; but as we drew near, we could hear him exclaiming, "Avast there, mates! I can navigate for myself. Be off, or, dammee! I'll teach you manners." "Stormy Jack!" I exclaimed, rushing forward, followed by Guinane. "'Tis you Stormy? What's wrong? Do you want any help?" "Yes," replied Jack, "teach these fellows some manners for me. My legs are too drunk; and I can't do so myself." The two men moved silently, but rapidly away. "Have you got your gold?" I asked, ready for pursuit in case the fellows had robbed him.