Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-08-19
MISCELLANY.
RED JIH.
AN AUSTRALIAN TALE.

NV is In the end of February, 1860;
Fiat is TO say, the bush grass lay long
oD5 des.I amid moveless trees, or upon
tbe level. tiresome plains; the heated
air 0uivered against the low horizon,
and danced above the withered verdure
like the surroundings OF furnace L
had hired ont as a labOrer TO an old
,,Iantation owner, One night L was
ivino tossing about in the long grass OF
a box-swaInp, not mile from my nut.
Tayoke with sudden start to see, not
twenty Yards from me, three men mob
bling their horses, and speaking 10
each other about some bush hfe.
could hardly persuade myself that | was
not still dreaming. One OF the men
was soon engaged In lighting fire on
bare patch of gIound, and / was about
rising to ioin them and taste compan-
ionship once more, when column OF
flame started up suddenly and displayed
n face that caused me TO shrink Dack
AGAIN with a muttered thanksgiving
that I was not discovered. The lace
that the fire revealed was known TO me
at once. though / had never seen 1t
before. The one eve aud hair lip OF
"Red jim" had been freely spoken OF IN
every sheperd's hut on the surrounding
stations. There was no installing him.
The bulldog head, the heavy Jaw, and
the thick neck, were features that IN
themselves would have sufficiently
pointed out the identity of this escaped
convict. Recalling the man now, rs L
saw him then, / think never beheld so
perfect al impersonation of a bad Grim
inaI. 1t was well known that Red Jim
had escaped from penal seryitude, ac-
companied by three others, but had ar
rived In this colony alone. Lit was
equally well known that he could only
have survived the incredible journey by
cannibalism. Red Jim had ruthlessly
murdered one or two settlers against
whom he entertained a grudge, and
every effort was being maze at that
time to capture him. There was moth
ing remarkable In the faces of his com
panions. They simply showed by word
and feature all the evidences of rufhan-
ism usual in men of their class. They
had coarse long limbs, and heavy, reck-
less faces. scared into revolving harsh
ness by long series of crimes. Two OF
them carried guns. These thoughts
and observations passed through my
mind in much less time than it takes to
WFlLG THEM. WIS SDCCuLN ICCdAACo
from speculation by hearing the word
'sHalleluiah" used. Hallelujah was the
sObriduet given tony mast L, because
Ia strictly adhered to the habit OF read
ing prayers in the family, morning ana
evening. Mr.. Christmas was a kind,
benevolent man, respected by every
.shand;' on the station; and 10y none
more than myself. He had been very
considerate to me in late illness, and
often sought by many subsequent atten-
tions to cheer the loneliness of my en-
ployment. One of Red Jim's compan-
ions, in answer to something Red Jim
said, replied with an oath:-f'Yes, we'll
see if his psalm singing will save him
now" Then. the other said: There
Gre couple of women there, and we
shall have time to give them taste OF
bush life before morning" 'Look- ye
'ere," growled the ruffian, swell roast
Halleluiah first. That's our look ont.
Well see if the old prayer-patterer has
nothing else TO do but help to run us
down. Give him taste of fire before
the devil gets him" / had no fever, no
lassitude now; the prostration of the
last few weeksT left me as if by magic,
al in its st ad J felt fierce, delightful
energy tingliDg along every nerve
Down close amongst the dry tinderiDg
grass, away, with suppressed breath and
q Wild feeling closed round my leart,
] crept from the vicinity of the fire. i
pursued my way on my hands and
knees. with a slow determined care that
has since surprised me, avoiding every
branch or twig that might crackle in my
Path. hurried on past the flock, with
out as much as disturbing a sheep
Not till long, safe DISTANCE interyened
did / stand erect, and fresh for the
events of the night. Whatever they
might be, God in his mercy only
knew, I turned about, and saw
the black forms of the bush=
rangers moving about the blaze, and,
with a run, started for the hut Be
fore a quarter of an hour saw it dimly
against the sky, and almost at the same
instant frightened snort told me that
the horse was within few yards of my
course. Uttering hurried thanksgiy-
ing that had found him providentially
so near, / unfastened the hobbies with
quick, steady hands, and led him to
the threshhold ! put on the patched
saddle and bride, and in another five
lQl1ubc0 bAAG mt AlAAl EtLCbCAAAur
himself to a swift, free gallop. My
mind was too full for thought. but 1 re-
member uttering the words, Thank
Godp
The door opened, and a gush of light
streamed upon the darkness, glittering
on the sides of the reeking horse. Mr..
Christmas hhiinissccllss-elaa, hnt hale and
vigorous as many a younger man-peer-
ed out into the night with an expression
OF surprise. A quiet comfort dYelt in
the little glimpse I had of the room,
that settled upon me ever then, rough
bushman as L was, with a pleasing
sense. can recall myself, bending be-
low the withers of the painting horse,
to peer under the rather low verandah.
my dress wet with perspiration from his
heavy sides, and my hand pressing the
moisture from his shoulder till heard
it fall pattering on the gravel. MIR
Christmas thought it was the working
overseer, for he said, is that you, Cur
ran % and without waiting for reply
he turned to place the light upon the
table, and then stepped out to where
was. swell, Curran, what is il?
thought you were at the fire." cit il
not Curran, sir" replied, "but Ned
tFe shepherd. I have come to tell yol