Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-06-29
DouAMr.
AN AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE.


DouAMr
AN AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE.
I'VE exlrac, the following stirringy written mar.
raive from the columns Of our distant contemporary
the Adelaide Chronicle. II is written in the frs,
person, and signed J. A. w. BY the internal eyi
denco-ihe Uraisembiance-we should think il a true
story
A short time ago had occasion to be travelling
some distance IN The interior OF New South Wales
in order to visit a friend whom had not seen fol
many years. The evening before | expected 10
reach the dwelling OF my friend put up at an inn
on the road, where ] remained during the night
On the ensuing morning, my first care was to sec
that my horse was properly fed and ready for the
long journey he had before him. Having satisfied
myself on this point, returned TO the house Twas
much surprised, upon arriving the door, to find il
aJar, as distinctly remembered closing it, on ac-
count OF leaving several valuable tinkets on the
dressing table. Silently opening it, however, was
amazed at perceiving the stranger, whom had par
tcularly noticed the preceding evening, standing a,
the toilette table with his back to the door, and dill
igenily engaged in Withdrawing the contents of my
travelling pistols.
My FIRST impulse was TO rush forward and seize
the fellow by the collar A moments consideration
however, determined me on following a different
course. Carefully placing the door in the same po-
sition that found it, retired, undiscovered to The
al OF his neghbors, were conversing relative to the
murder ofihe school-master, an occurrence of which
they had Just head. Immediately afterwards the
stranger entered the room.
1T appears to me, ihcn said +, after listening to
the details of the murder, that travelling in these
districts must be exceedingly dangerous Howev-
err have an excellent pair Of pistols and il any
one interieres with me shall give him or them Q
warm reception.
Yes observed the stranger, it would be STUPID
indeed, for any man TO ride through the BUSH in
times like these, without being we'll armed hear
too that Donohue is somewhere near Patrick's Plains
As I'm travelling that way, hope he will not trea,
me 10 an ounce OF cold lead ! only wish that could
meet with companion, and then there would be nc
lear
perfectly well understood the offer thus Indirect
y thrown out for my acceptance but as I would
rather have had his room than his company did
not pretend TO comprehend the allusion.
q would advise you TO he careful, Mr.. Saniield,
observed the landlord and see that your pistols are
we'll charged and primed'
glanced at the stranger, and despite his best ex.
eriions to appear unconcerned, the contraction oil
the brows fully discovered how interested he felt in
the reply.
oh! there is no occasion for fear on nv account
replied carelessly-l took the precau,ion TO load
my pistols yesterday evening, and they only require
being placed in the holsters
You're travelling towards the Upper Districts
then, presume SIT sdlu Inc stranger, addressing
himself 10 me; would you have any objection 10
me as companion II two heads are better than
one, surely four arms mus, be better than two
'Holloal Mr. Holder (for tina, | now found
was the strangers name,) said the landlord-'whai
you bound TO the Upper Districts Why, tho
you had settled on the Hawkesburyr
Mr. Holder at this unexpected address, appeared
greatly confused. Quickly recovering his compos-
ure he cooy observed, tina, being DESTROYS of pur
chasing maze, he was unable to do so, unless he al
tended 10 person.
remarked that slight shade OF suspicion spread
itself over the frank counlenance OF the landlord,
hearing this observation. He was however silent
! and as Mr.. Holder did not renew his offer of com
panionship. which proposal was no, seconded By
any of The individuals present, retired to my owr
room.
Silently fastening the door 10 prevent intrusion,
proceeded to examining the pistols, and found tina
the balls had been extracted, while the powder hac
been suffered to remain. Fearing, however. thai
some trick might have been played with the latter
Withdrew the charges, and carefully reloaded lhs
instruments, which placed in the holsters in such
manaer that, if they had been meddled with,
must instantly have perceived it.
Having completed these arrangements, proceed
ed calmly and deliberately to consider OF the hes
measures 10 be adopted under these suspicious cir
cumSianees That was 10 be attacked on my way
I | entertained not the least doubt This. however
/ could with facility be remeded by informing Tho
landlord, who was constable, oil my suspicious, 10
geiher with the Circumstance Of the charge OF m,
pistols having been extracted. | could, too, wal
I Tor the detachment Of mounted police, which wa
daily, nav, hourly expected. But none Of these al
lernaliyes would | embrace. felt an irresistibi.
desire 10 punish Mr.. Holder. who ! was innsiel,
convinced was the murderer OF The aged school mas
+ ter, aud, strongly suspected, o: William Clemen
tine too. Besides, was only nineteen years 0
age and having followed a sesiarins he was liber
ally imbged with that spirit Of daring and enierprs,
which that proiession ~ 80 well calculated 10 in
duce therefore determined 20 keep strictly si,en
regarding al that had passed, knowing that lie mos
advisable plan was % impisss Mr.. Holder with
cons riion that bis srif-e remsined unaisc overed
Should rome IN collision with him, felt the mos
perfect confidence in my own resources having Iona
: been conkidefed an excellent maIksmaB with tic
pistol
Nv resolution being thus formed. proceeded q
The sitting rom, and wss Dot much surprised 10 hes
that Sir. Holder had lea The inn.
i hardly kaow what n think Of that man. obsery
ed one Of the neghbors be is here today and GOO,
Tomorrow. Besides. he calls himself settler o.
re HlVkssa8fy-aoT. ! EEcw ihs Hsvksssgr,