The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-08-18
RED JIM.
an Australian Tale.

| suulflleT mere 10 V lctoIid rs IL uo" IS III
the emo OF February, 1865; that is to say,
the bush grass lay long and dead amid
Doyeless trees, or upon the level, tiTeso;ne
plains; the heated air culver ed against the
low horizon, and danced above the with
cred Tefdure like the surroundings Of a
furnace. | had hired GU. as a laborer to
an old plantation owner. One night
was !, ing tossing about in the long grass
Of box-swamp not mile from my hut.
| awoke with sudden start TO see, no.
twenty yards from me. three men hobbiing
their horses, and speaking TO each other
aboas some bush fire. l could hardly
persuade myself that was not still dream
ing One of the men was soon engaged in
lighting fire on bare patch of ground,
and | was about rising to join them and
taste partnership once more, when a
column Of flame started up suddenly and
displayed face that caused me to shrink
back again with muttered thanksgiving
that was not discovered. The face that
the fire revealed was known to me at once,
though had never seen it before. The
one eye and hair lip Of " Req Jim - had
been freely spoken of in every shepherds
hu, on the surrounding stations. There
was DO mstakiDg 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, as saw him then, l think
never beheld so perfect An impersonation
Of bad criminal. l: was well known
that Red jim bad escaped from penal ser
vitude, accompanied by three others. bat
had arrived in this COLONY alone. 1t was
equally we'll known that he could only
have survived the incredible journey by
cannibaIism. Req jim had ruthlessly
murdered one or two settlers against whom
he entertained a grudge, and every effor,
was being made at that time 20 capture
him. There was nothing remarkable in
the faces Of his companions. They sim
ply showed by word and feature all the
evidences of rufiianism usual in men Of
their class. They had coarse long limbs.
and heavy, reckless faces, scared into re-
voltlng hsrshness 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 10 write
them. [ was speedily recalled from specn
latlon by hearing the word d" Ualelujsh y
used. Hallelujah was the sooriques given
to my master, because be strictly adhered
to the habit Of reading prayers in the fans
lily morning and evening. Mr.. Christmas
was kind, benevolent man, respected by
every " hand " on the station; and BY none
more than myself lie had been very
considerate to me in late illness, and
often sought by manr subsequent alien
tons to cheer the loneliness of my en-
ployment. Que of Red Jm's companions
in answer to something Red Jim said, re-
piled with an oath Yes, we'll see if his
psalm singing will save him now" Then
the other said" There are q couple OF
women there, and we shall have time to
give them a taste Of bush life before morn
ing" Look you ERE, growled the rnfIian,
we'll roast llalleiujah first. That's our
look out. Well see if the old prayer
pat,erer has nothing else to do but help
to run US down. Give him taste of fire
before the devil gets him.
bad no fever, no lassitude now; the
prostratlon of the last few weeks left me as
# by magic, and in is stead felt a fierce
delightful energy tiugling along every
nerve Down close amongst the dry tin
dering grass, away, with suppressed breath
and wild feeling closed around my heart,
| crept from the vicinity Of the fire.
pursued my way on my hands and knees,
with slow determined care that has since
surprised me, aYoiding every branch or
twig that might crackle in my path. |
hurried % past the flock, withou, as much
as disturbing sheep. Not till long safe
distance interyened did | stand erect, and
fresh for the events Of the night. What
ever they might be, God in bis mercy only
knew. turned about, and saw the black
forms of the bush-rangers moving about
the blaze, and, with a run; started for
the hut Before quarter OF an hour l
saw it dimly against the sky, and almost
at the sans instant frightened snort told
me that the horse was within a few yards
OF my course. Uttering hurried thanks
giving hat ! had found him providential-
~ SO Lear, unfastened the hobbies with
quick, steady hands, and led HIM to the
Threshold. 1put on the patched saddle
and bride, and 10 another five minutes the
fine old Cub was stretching himself to a
swift, free gallop. My mind was too full
for thought, bat I remember uttering The
words, "Thank God - x =
The door opened, and gush of light
streaned upon the darkness, gli,terirg on
the sides of the reeking horse. Mr..
Christmas himsef-old, but hale and Wig
orous as many younger man-peered
out lnto the nj ght with an expression Of
surprise. A quiet comfort dwet in the
little glimpse | had Of the room, that set
tied upon me even .hen, rough bushman
as was, with a pleasing sense. can re-
call myself, bending below the withers Of
the painting horse, TO peer under the ra-
Their low versndah. my dress wet with
persplrs,ion from his heavy sides, and my
hand pressing the moisture from his shout
der Til / heard i. fall pattering on the
ground. Mr.. Christmas thought it was
the working overseer, for he said, lis that
you, Curran?" and without waiting Tor a
reply, he turned to place the light upon
the table, ard then stepped out to where
was. Well, Currsp, wha. is ~ |
thought YOU were at the fire. ct is not