The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-29 00:00:00

ADVENTURES IN THE BUSH.

A stockowner named Harris, living to the north
of Adelaide, 4iad lost a few cattle at various times,
having strayed off the run, and gradually increased
in numbers, until it became necessary that some
measures should be taken, inquiries made, and
means provided for bringing them back. As it was
found out that the bulk of those missing had made off
to the Murray, river, which was distant about thirty
miles, and joined with other stray cattle, which had
before baffled all attempts made to take them, and
become quite wild, it was expected that they would
not again be brought in without trouble. A certain
day was fixed on to go after them, and a first -rate
stock-keeper was to try what could be done with
them. This man, named Tom Murray, bad been in
the colonies nearly all his lifetime. He had undergone
all kinds of difficulties ; at one time nearly roasted
alive by a great bush fire; at another speared and al-
most killed by the aborigines ; again, starved and ex-
hausted in the trackless wilds of the interior, and
only found just as the spirit was flickering away from
his wasted body. His horses and himself had also
been down sundry precipices, chased and gored by
wild cattle ; in fact, he had met with almost all the
adventures that could befal either the bold stock-
man, or the lonely explorer of the bush. This man
was engaged to bring in the cattle, and was to have
the valuable assistance of the master, Mr. Harris, who
had frequently shown great skill and tact on similar
occasions. All necessary means bad been taken to
insure success ; two of the best horses had been fed up
and exercised for two or three weeks, to make them
fit for such a journey; the saddles and bridles
overhauled, that no part of the gear should give
way in the chase ; the stockwhips were not for-
gotten ; they were greased to make them limber,
and some time was spent in making crackers
or lashes of silk. Tea, sugar, flour, damper,
meat, tobacco, pipes, flint and steel, quart pot,
blankets, coals, and other articles, were all ready for
the occasion ; and, to make sure work, they carried a
short carbine and a pair of pistols. The contents of
these last were to be the portion of any blacks
will might like to attack them. The day at last
arrived, and the horses stood saddled before the
door. The master and man lingered over their tea,
waiting until the sun made its appearance over the hills,
for they had been up some hours before daylight. A
couple of fine kangaroo dogs watched every movement
of their master, and every now and then rushed
galloping out of the hut to expend their smothered
joy. They knew what was going on, for they had
often before joined in such expeditions.
The sun is now up, they mount and slowly wend
their way over the hills ; the pace is very sober and
staid, and every precaution taken to favour their
gallant steeds, who will have plenty opportunity of
showing their mettle to greater advantage. The road
is enlivened by jokes and tales from Murray, who had
such a manner of depicting his adventures as to keep
his company in a roar of laughter. While so engaged,
the dogs started after a kangaroo, and the horse-
men had a noble view of the chase over a large plain,
and starting off at a canter, they came up with the
game at bay, in the middle of a large waterhole.
The kangaroo balanced himself on his toes and
the end of his muscular tail, and just kept his
head and shoulders above the water, which was there
about five feet deep. The dogs, obliged to swim
for it, were very cautious in approaching him ; Juno
kept in front to engross his attention, whilst Rodney
watched for an opportunity of taking him by the
neck ; the men struck at him with their long whips,
but with very little effect ; he seemed unconcerned
at d secure in his position, and ready to do his best if
the dogs came to close quarters. Rodney now closed
in, and the kangaroo turning half round, caught him
in its arms, and in spite of the struggling of the
poor dog, soused him under water and there I,eld
him. This was a time of great excitement for all
parties. The bitch was evidently taken aback at
such treatment of its companion, and was only
roused to renew the combat by the shouts of the men.
" Seize him, Juno." " Good dog, at him again."
"By Jove, the dog is done for.' "Go it, Juno."
Such like ejaculations once more roused the bitch,
who rushed at him in earnest, and just as Murray
had loaded his gun, caught the animal by the throat
and threw it over. Rodney rose slowly to the sur-
face, and exhausted, paddled slowly to the shore,
and when the kangaroo once more rose up, a ball', sent
with unerring aim, passed through its head ; it sank
to rise no more alive, and the men not having time to
spare to get it out, rode off on their journey. At night
tall they made the river, bobbled their horses, and
prepared their tea. A few bushes made a little
conical hut into which they crept, and keeping up a
blazing fire, they passed the evening in telling yarns
and smoking. At the first break of day they were
up, breakfast over, and the horses got ready for
mounting. Whilst busily engaged in tying up their
traps, ready for fastening on their horse's backs, they
were startled by a low growl from their dogs, and
turning round, saw a couple of strong, tall natives ap-
proaching. This put them in mind of their arms,
not from fear of an attack from such a small number,
but as they were not lorded they thought it best to
prepare ; calling off the dogs from the natives who
had halted at a respectful distance, but now
approached, they entered into conversation with
them about the cattle, asking if any were there-

abouts, what colour they were, if they were very
wild, Sze. While this was going cn, and the too
blacks were apparently most unconcerned in what the
stockmen were doing, Murray had loaded his qun,
placed it on the ground before him, and Harris
and he were putting powder in the pistols. To
do this was no easy matter, for they had no proper
charger, and therefore, whilst Murray mea-
sured the quantity in his hand, Harris held both the
pistols in his hand ready to receive it. This opera-
tion brought both their heads close together, and
kept their eyes rivetted on their work, which they
were in the act of concluding, when at the same
instant they were each felled by a blow on the
head, administered with hearty good will by the
treacherous natives. Poor Harris fell like a stone
to the earth, whilst Murray, dropping on his hands
and knees, did not entirely lose his presence of
mind. He lifted up his dizzy eyes, and in-
distinctly saw one black hammering away at his
companion, whilst the other was about to give
him his coup de grace, or finishing touch—he now
moved his hand along the earth, felt something hard
near him, and found it was his gun, most providen-
tially lying just where he fell; this in an instant
recalled his senses, and with difficulty he raised it up,
presented it at his antagonist, and fired the whole
charge, which lodged in the chest of the native, who fell
dead at Murray's feet. The other black at such an
unexpecthd turn in affairs made off, pursued by the
dogs, who may perhaps have finished him also, for he
was never after 'heard of. As soon as Murray was
sufficiently recovered to move about he looked at his
wounded and seemingly dead companion ; he endea-
voured to recover him, and stop the blood which was
issuing freely from his mouth and ears, but it was some
time before Harris showed any signs f life, however a
little brandy forced down his throat made him collect
his scattered senses, and in time got well enough to
sit up. They were both in a feartul state, and many
miles from any white man's abode, and obliged to re-
main some time before they could sit on horseback. All
their cattle- hunting forthat time was over, and nothing
remainedfor them but to make their way back to home.
Murray wished to cut the black fellow's head off, and
give it the police when they reported the affray, but
his master opposed it, and they lift the body un-
touched. The black was a ferocious and savage look-
ing fellow, measured about six feet, and at the
same time was stout and well made. I saw the poor fel-
lows as: they returned with their heads bandaged with
handkerchiefs and bits of rag; their eyes' bloodshot and
heavy, and in their whole appearance very different from
the two stockmen who passed a couple of days before.—
Emigrant.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSIOIV-HOUSE.
The LORD Maroa said he had. received a number
of litters from persons who complained that Joseph
Ady had become their constant but uninvited corre-
spondent on 'the subject of property, to which he
assured them they Were entitled,' and that' they had
been obliged to pay 2d. for each communication.
The following is a'copy of letters which Ady trans-
mitted to the Sheriffs, for each -of which the sum of
2d. was charged :

"TO THE SHERIFFS OF LONDON.
" Gents,—l offer to give you information of 1,000,000/.
ar.d upwards of felons' prop rty accessible immediately,
on the recovery of which I &hall expect the usual gra-
tuity secured by a written promise.
" Respectfully,
" JOSEPH ADY."
On the back of the letter appeared the copy of a
receipt for the fee, and the following note :
" The Bank of England hat, just printed a new list of
unclaimed dividends not yet accessible to the public
generally. My voluntary referee, Sir Peter Laurie
(who, together with William Parnell Tyars, Esq., have
most of my books under their care), advise me not to
deal with deputies or attorneys, only with principals,
otherwise I may give information to wrong parties,
thereby enable them to get the money which they
ought not, like the Bank clerk, Mr. Christmas, who
paid 2,000 Z for his indiscretion, and fretted to death."
The LORD MAYOR thought there were symptoms
of insanity about the conduct of the unfortunate
man, and said that no doubt the authorities at the
Post- office would adopt such measures towards him
as would prevent much further annoyance to the
public from such a source.
MAR YLEB ONE.
On Wednesday a gentleman (no name was given)
left three sovereigns with Mr. Broughton for the
poor-box of the court.
CLERKENWELL.
James Walker was finally examined, charged with
stealing 1441. 18s. 6d. from Messrs. Rankin and Co.,
of No. 4, South-square, Gray's-inn.
The particulars of the case have already appeared
in the papers.
Some further evidence, confirmatory of that which
was taken at former examinations, was received.
The prisoner reserved his defence, and he was fully
committed for trial.
Our reporter is.requested to state that " G. H."
has sent a donation of a half-sovereign to the poor-
box, with a request thas its receipt might be acknow-
ledged in the newspapers.
SOUTHWARK.
Maria Shaw, a young woman in the service of Mr.
Wainwright, a gold-beater, in Charles-street, Horae-
lydown, was brought before Mr. Seeker for re-exa-
mination, charged with stealing a lump of solid gold,
a quantity of gold leaf, and several sovereigns, the
property of her master, and Louisa Brown, her aunt,
was charged as the receiver.
The complainant stated that on the 7th ult. a piece
of solid gold was missed from the cupboard in his
parlour, but no suspicion was entertained against the
prisoner until, nearly three weeks afterwards, he lost
or mislaid the key of his cash- box, and was com-
pelled to have it broken open and to procure a new
key. Soon afterwards he deposited five sovereigns in
the cash-box, and on examining it the same evening
he missed one of them. He was then satisfied that
die prisoner was the thief, and was further confirmed
in his suspicions from the circumstance of her having
purchased several articles of dress of an expensive
description. He therefore questioned her on the
subject, and she said the new clothes were presented
to her by the other prisoner, her aunt, who lived in
Prospect-place,Greenwich, but this assertion was found
to be untrue, and when she was subsequently
searched it was found she wore one of her mistress's
pockets, in which was discovered the cash-box key
which was supposed to have been lost. Immediately
upon this discovery the prisoner confessed that she
had been in the habit of plundering her master, and
said that it was she that had stolen the lump of gold
out of the cupboard, and she produced a sovereign,
which she added was the last money she had taken
out of the cash-box. She then went on to describe
how she had disposed of the property by saying that
she had given the lump of gold, and also a quantity
of gold leaf to her aunt, who turned it into money,
and supplied her with dress with the produce of it,
and that her aunt desired her to procure as much as
she could of the article, adding that she would find
a market for it. When the aunt was subsequently
confronted with the niece, the former stoutly denied
the accusation, declaring that it was false from be-
ginning to end, and saying that she did not know
what gold leaf was. The aunt, however, was de-
tained in custody until inquiry was instituted to
discover whether she had sold any gold, and when
the prisoners were placed at the bar yesterday the
following additional evidence, implicating Brown as
the receiver, was adduced :
Charles Hood, a carver and gilder at Greenwich,
stated that about five weeks ago Brown came to his
shop and produced two books of gold leaf; she also
had a roll of paper which contained a quantity of gold
and silver mixed together, and she asked him if he
would purchase the lot. He questioned her as to
whether she new the value of what she wanted to sell,
but she replied that she did not exactly, and added
that she had half a pint filled with the same descrip-
tion of mixed gold and silver, which she had no diffi-
culty in finding a customer for on a previous occasion.
The witness added, that upon hearing her statement
his suspicions that the did not come honestly by the
article were arouse, and that he refused to become a
purchaser, and she then left the shop. Although he
had since been informed Brown resided in Greenwich,
still she was a perfect stranger to him.
Richard Ribble, a goldsmith and jeweller at Green-
wich, stated that about a month ago Brown called at
his shop, and having exhibited a piece of gold, and
also some gold leaf, offered to sell them to him ; but
he refused to become a purchaser, and she went away.
He added thas he was confident of the identity of the
woman.
In reply to Mr. SECKER, the complainant said that
he did not know the full extent to which he had been
plundered.
'The prisoners, who said dothing in their defence,
were committed.

SOTIAM.--A most daring burglary and robbery was
committed in this town, about half past one o'clock on
Wednesday morning, upon the premises of Mr. Thomas
Lucas, Brook-street, by two villains entering the back
part of the house by the window. They first proceeded
with a light to the girl's bed-room, and threat( ned to
shoot her if she gave any alarm. They then scent to
the bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, and presenting a
pistol at Mrs. Lucas, demanded her money or life. Mrs.
Lucas gave them her pocket-book, containing three
sovereigns, a five-pound note, and some rings. By that
time.Mri__Lucasyt:who is very deaf, awoke. They then,
presenting a pistol at him, dmanded. what money he
had, and takirg his small clothes, searched the pickets,
and took some silver and his keys. They then ran-
sacked the drawers and a chest, and took thirty-one
sovereigns, between three and four pounds in silver, some
silver spoon!, and other articles to the value of upwards
of 501., with which they decamped. The effect produced
upon Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, who are advanced in years,
was such, that we regret to say our police offices s re-
ceived no information till past eight o'clock, although
two other houses are within a few yards of the premises.
—Cambridge Advertiser.
Letters from. Nancy state that wheat had fallen as
much as 15f. per 100 kil,; a reaction was however
looked for.

COURT-MARTIAL.
rORTSMOUTU, WEDNESDAY.- A corn t-msrtial, cam-
prising Rear-Admiral I'retcott, C. 11., President; C,.ptain
Chades 0.8, e-f the Excellent, -8co.; Captain Litre, of
the Illustrious; Captain Purcell, ct the Superb; Captain
Austin, C. 8., of the Blenheim; and Mr. G. L Greetham,
Deputy-Judge Advocate of the Fleet, assembled on board
the Victory, at nine o'clock this morning, to -try Lieu-
tenant James Crashaw Bailey, Mr. Frederick John
Krabbe (Second Master), and Mr. William Coles
(Gunner), of the Sharpshooter screw-schooner, 202
hone-power, on the following charge, preferred "by the
Lords of the Admiralty, founded on the report of the
Commander-iu Chief of the Port, Admiral the Hon. Sir
Bladen Capri, K.C.B.:—
"For that the said Lieutenant John Crawshaw Bailey,
when Lieutenant commanding her Majesty's steam-vessel
Sharpshooter, and Frederick John Krabbe, when Second
Master of the said vessel, and William Coles, when
Gunner of the said vessel, all of them being at the time
in actual service and full pay of her Majesty's fleet, did,
on the 14th day of December, 1848, through negligence,
cause the said vessel to be straeded off Worthing, in the
county of Sussex."
The log of the ship Laving been pet in and its correct-
ness certified to, with the exception of a slight difference
in the time of setting the staysail on the'day in question,
the trial commenced.
Joseph Burnett, the pilot, was the first witness called.
The Court had considerable difficulty in making the wit-
ness understand that what he' 'might have 'statt d at any
previous inquiry they had no cognizance of; and he
must tell them upon oath the facts as they transpired to
the best of his belief. The statement now made by this
witness did not diff,r in substance from what he made
to rho Commander. in-Chief. It append further, how-
ever, at the present trial, that the pilot was only quali—
fied to navigate from Bembridge Ledge to the ()veers,
aed from the Needles to Pevensey, and that the second
master sent for him to navigate the Sharpshooter, and
that when he went on board he produced his license,
which was deemed by Lieutenant Bailey and Mr. Krabbe
satisfactory, and accordingly he took charge of the
vessel, which he retained under the circumstances al-
ready detailed until a quarter past four tbe next morn-
ing, when he requested the master to tack, which, how-
ever, was not done (the master wanting to wash decks)
until five o'clock, at about twenty minutes after which
time she stranded. The witness persisted he had not
charge pf the vessel when she stranded, but afterwards
admittell that about five minutes before she struck
he thought he had " a little bit of charge to make
sail on her." He also stated, " When she got
aground the ship's head was somewhat about S.
W., and the wind S.S.E, or rather to the eastward
of that, very light." • He afterwards stated, " When
she :touched the ground I do not know how her head
was, because I was walking to and fro on the deck, and
speaking to the master." The President asked the wit-
ness if he' was pilot for that part of the coast (Isle of
Wight to the Downs) where the Sharpshooter was run
ashore ; to which he replied, "No, sir." And to
another question from the President, as to not consider-
ing himself in charge of the ship, why did he advise the
master to tack ? The witness replied—" Because I told
him she would be ashore." The witness did not state
to any one else but the master (he said) that he had
given up charge of the vessel, but that when the master
would not tack the ship at his suggestion, at a quarter
past four o'clock, "I thought it was time I gave up
charge." President—But did you tell him so ?—No.
(Here again was contradiction.). President—As a
general rule of conduct, would you retain charge of any
ship after your wishes respecting her management were
not complied with, and especially when her head was
inshore ?—No, sir ; I would not have charge in that
case ; •the. pilot would have no more to say about it.
How would you communicate to the commanding
officer that you relinquished charge in such a case?
—By the officer of the watch, whom I should tell
that if he would not follOw my directions I should
give up' charge. Did you on this occasion tell the
officer of• the watch ?—I told the master. Did yen
tell him you had given up charge?—Not then. When
did you?—At a quarter past four, o'clock .I told him to
tack ship. The Court—That is not the question. Did

you, at a quarter past four o'clock tell the master you
had given up charge of the ship?-4 did, at the gangway.
What did you say to him?—l said, " Sir, I'll thank you
to tack ship;" and the master replied, "Let her go till
five o'clock, Pilot, I want to get my decks done;" and
that is all that passed at that time. What was the state
of the ,weather?—Fine. Are you acquainted with the
soundings on that part of the coast ?—Yes. State what
precautions, were used respecting the lead ?—The lead
was not hove at all from about two or three o'clock in
the morning till she struck; neither the deep sea lead
nor the hand lead. Not after. that time. In answer to
further questions the witness said he expressed no wish
for the hand lead to be going, although it ought to have
been going; that he did not tell the officer of the watch
he had given up charge—only told the master, whom he
told he would be ashore if he did not tack ship. Could
not say at what rate the vessel was going through the
water; could not show by the chart the position or
course of the ship. Never ascertained the water
under the ship when he told the master she
would go ashore, &c. It is impossible to give the
whole of the testimony of the pilot, but the above is a
fair epitome. It must be stated that, on cress-examina-
tion by Lieutenant Commander Bailey, to the question,
" Did you not represent yourself to me that you were a
pilot up to the Downs, to tho Channel Islands, and to
the French coast, enumerating a number of places?" the
pilotanswered "Yes." Mr. Krabbe and Mr. Coles also
cross-examined the pilot, but the answers invariably
were " No," and "I do not recollect." It is, therefore,
unnecessary to give the detail.
Mr. Arthur Jones, the midshipman, was the next wit-
ness called, and gave his testimony in an officerlike
manner. He said that soundings were taken after sail
was made on the ship; he was relieved in his watch
shortly after four A.m.; no leadsmen was in the chains
at that time; was relieved by Mr. Coles, the gtinner,
with ,whom he (witness) left orders to call the com•
mender if there was any change; to sound hourly, tell-
ing him at the same time the ship was under the di-
rection of a pilot, to get the ropes up and wash decks
at half-past four, and to call the second master at ten
minutes after four; that the master was on deck twice
during the watch of witness; that the pilot did not
express any desire to have the lead hove more frequently
during the watch; that the master had been on deck
taking bearings, but at the time witness was relieved he
was in the commander's cabin; the master was not in
bed when witness made his report to him.
William Bruce and William Birmingham, petty offi-
cers, stated, that no leadsmen were in the chains before
she struck, but the latter witness jumped in and gave
the depth as " half-two" afterwards.
William Italie, the musician of the Sharpshooter, who
was stationed at the wheel in the morning watch on the
14th of December, was next examined, but he only proved
that the watch were washing decks at the time she struck,
and bracing round the headyards.
The prosecution closed at half-past two, when half an
hour was asked for the preparation of the defence, which
was granted. At three o'clock, the court resumed, and
Lieutenant Bailey read a brief address to the court,
pointing out the getting under weigh, and other circum-
stances attending the leaving port, stating that he was
in an ill sta,,e of health at the time, and had been so for
some time before, and on the sick-list, which he only
came out of tor the better security and satisfaction of
superintending the navigation, but nevertheless was
reluctantly compelled to keep his cabin more than
was consonant with his anxiety and custom ; but,
knowing the master and pilot were on deck, and a clear
moonlight night, with a fine wind, he felt confident of
the safety of the vessel. Mr. Bailey also put in testi-
monials of his character as an efficient and experienced
officer.

Mr. Krabbe then delivered his address to the Court,
which embraced all the scientific bearings of the case.
The chief feature was, that he ordered a man into the
chains about a quarter to five o'clock, and hearing eight
fathoms reported, ordered him out, and told the watch to
go on with the deck, denying the statement of the pilot
that he had requested him to tack before five o'clock.
Mr. Krabbe also put in a number of certificates as to his
character and conduct in the service from the time he
left Greenwich School, all of which eminently distin •
guished him as an officer of exemplary assiduity, perse-
verance, zeal, &c.
Mr. Coles, the gunner, also put in a statement which
wont to show the discrepancies between the pilot's evi-
dence and his conduct on board the ship, especially as
regarded the position and bearing of the lights and the
ship's course.
Dr. Roberts, assistant-surgeon of the Sharpshooter,
deposed to the commander being on the sick list at the
time spoken of above, and to his having been under his
care three weeks in November previously. This witness
also proved the pilot to have said, with surprise, when
the commander found himself ashore, and the latter said
" Why, pilot, this is not Brighton?"—" No, Sir, that's
Worthing."
Mr. Tewson, midshipman, proved Mr. Krabbe having
ordered the lesd to be hove, &c.
Mr. Krabbe then called,
Mr. Thomas Davies, assistant engineer, who deposed
that after the ship struck the pilot told him if she had
been her length or a few lengths further to leeward,
he should have had deep water into the Chain-pier
(Brighton).
Alfred Ward corroborated the testimony of the last
witness.
PRESIDENT-It appears by the log that soundings
were taken at 4.50 A.M. on the morning of the 14th,
and a cast of eight fathoms. That does not appear
substantiated.
Mr. Krabbe—l am sorry to say, sir, I cannot substan-
tiate that. I heard a man's nice cry eight fathoms, and
I said, " Then let him come out." I cannot find out that
man, but I heard his voice.
Captain Austin, one of the members of'the Court, on
being requested by Mr. Krabbe to state his opinion of
him, pronounced him to be a most intelligent, zealous,
and watchful officer, so much so that he had determined,
should opportunity offer, to recommend him for advance-
ment to the rank of master. Captain Austin also further
stated, that whilst on board the Sharpshooter, during her
late cruise wi.h the Rifleman had every reason to
consider that Lieutenant Ba.e was most energetic,
capable, and careful in the management of that vessel.
The court was now (5 P m.) cleared for deliberation,
and remained closed until half-past 6, when it re-
opened, and the Judge. Advocate read the following as
the finding:—
" The Court, having heard all in support of the
charge, and what the prisoners had to allege in their
defence, is of opinion that the charge has been partly
proved against the said Lieutenant John Crawshawe
Bailey and Mr. Frederick John Krabbe, inasmuch as
they received on board, at Portsmouth, a pilot, without
duly asceit lining his qualifications, to which circum-
stance is mainly to be attributed the stranding of the
said vessel; and also, inasmuch as the hand-lead was not
kept so regularly hove as it ought to have been on the
Sharpshooter standing inshore, at a short distance there-
from; and that the charge had not been proved against

the said Mr. Wm. Coles. The Court, therefore, in con-
si(!oratof, ~e •-•,.:Wieutenant John CrawOrtvv
11, e tir.lo bzd healih toIdGIS ine
list, dotli aciju the said Lieutenant John Crawshaw
Bailey to be a dai:,Lishtd to.be more careful and circum-
spect on futuie occasions; and doth adjudge the.said Mr.
Frederick John litabbe to be severely reprimanded; and
the said Mr. William Coles to be aequitted; and the said
Lieutenant James Crawshaw Bailey and 'Mr. Frederick
John Krabbe are hereby respectively admonished
,and
severely reprimanded, and Mr. William Coles acquitted
accordingly; and the Court cannot.abstain fr..m stating
(hat the evidence given by Mr. Joseph Burnett (the
pilot) before the Court is unworthy of credit."