THE KEVOLT OF THE DIGGERS 33 



aims of the Eeform League, it wound up with the significant state- 

 ment, " Bring your licences, they may be wanted ". 



It chanced that on the evening before the day fixed for this 

 meeting the American residents of Ballaarat gave a dinner to 

 welcome their Consul, who had arrived from Melbourne on a visit. 

 A number of leading Ballaarat people were present as guests, in- 

 cluding Mr. Eede, the Eesident Commissioner, and Mr. Hackett, 

 the Police Magistrate. Towards the close of the banquet some 

 uneasiness was caused by the hurried calling away of these two 

 officials, whose presence was urgently needed at the Camp. The 

 electrical condition of excitement which prevailed was presently 

 intensified by vague rumours of fighting, and the occasional sound 

 of firearms broke up the meeting in some disorder. The business 

 which called forth the officials was serious enough the first affair 

 of outposts, in which some blood was spilled on both sides. 



The advance guard of the troops from Melbourne, a detach- 

 ment of the 40th Eegiment, arrived about six o'clock. They had 

 been conveyed by steamer to Geelong, and thence driven up in 

 carts. The subaltern in charge either considered such a mode of 

 entry undignified, or he desired to make an impressive display. 

 When he arrived within sight of the tented field he uncarted his 

 men, and proceeded to march them in with fixed bayonets along 

 the line of road that was flanked by hundreds of angry diggers. 

 They reached the Camp without any display of violence, beyond 

 derisive comments and jeering shouts. But the excitement was 

 greatly increased when it became known that a still larger force 

 was following, and a report gained circulation that the delegates 

 from the League had been thrown into prison. Hastily gathering 

 what arms they could find, a score or so of men started off in the 

 dusk to intercept the coming troops. About eight o'clock the 

 rumble of the approaching waggons was heard, and Captain Wise 

 was seen riding in advance. Two diggers stepped up to him and 

 inquired if it was true, as reported, that the waggons contained 

 cannon to be used against the miners. He injudiciously replied 

 that he had no information to give to a parcel of rebels. This was 

 sufficient to fire the train, and in a few minutes the undisciplined 

 crowd threw itself upon the convoy, overturning one waggon and 



VOL. II. 3 



