The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-06-21

rate, see something Of the countr
and bush life. He cut down his sta
to u week, OH purpose to get m
away; and one fine Monday mornin
we set out on horseback, bound 70
Bathurst. ........ ....
In an assemblage Of several hur
dred persons on Bathurst plains, th
Icye of the most careful observe
would search in vain for sour o
dissatisfied look. Every one tha
goes abroad appears TO enter, wit
his whole heart and soul, into th
scene. The young men career alon;
on horseback with all the grace 10
which the Australians are remartl
bic. 1t is Il life replete with freedom
The Australian carries, IN his tall
light, elegant person, and wild spark
ling eye, the noble and independen
air of one who cares not q straw TO
any one on earth. The only dreat
that the most timid entertain, is o
the wild bands Of bush,angers which
in former times, inspired terror, anC
spread ruin and desoiaton oveI
whole districts. At one time, those
bands Of bloodthirsty maraudcrs kept
the whole country in n state Of the
most foverish alarm; but of late years
they have nearly disappeared. a
few stray runaway assigned servants
will, however, sometimes, even ut the
present day, join together, and start
on their cruel work of robbery and
murder; although their career is but
very temporary; as, the moment the
existence of such band becomes
known, the settlers Of the district,
fully alive to the necessity OF check
ing the thing ut first, rise simulta.
ncously, and attack the desperadoes
A good deal OF blood flows ut times
when the bushrangers make an obsti.
nate defence and the battle will
sometimes continue until every one Of
tho ruillans fall. II was my fate TO
come in contact with one Of these
bands during my residence at Alex
ander's tation.
That gentleman's station was on
the banks of small creek, in rather
Il retired part of the Bathurst district.
The hut was inferior to most Of those
around; although, when compared
with the huts on many stations in the
newer districts, it would have been
looked upon as superior in style. 1t
was built of heavy slabs, and made
secure against wind and weather by
a thick coating Of clay and mud. 1t
had division across; and the inner
room was occupied as 4 bed room.--
The outer apartment was without
any furniture whatever, except a
deal table, and about half
a dozen sawn logs, which answered
in place of chairs. A huge chimney
in the back, built Of rough stone aad
clay, sent perpetual stream OF heat
through the place, which sent stran.
ger asleep in ten minutes, at the
usual computation. There was no
floor; but the earth was trooden down
to hard consistency, and was no
bad substitute for real floor.
The whole affair was 4 novelty,
and enjoyed it exceedingly. The
day passed in perpetual round OF
pleasant amusemcnts; hunting, fish.
ing, and chasing wild cattle on horse,
back. The hut was situated on the
banks of the creek, upon rising
ground, which commanded view OF
a vast tract of country. When the
amusements of the day had ended,
we partook of a dinner sat out in Il
plain manner, but such as the lirst
hotels could not have exceeded in
uuality-iish, flesh and foul, IN the
greatest plenty. After dinner we
went comfortably TO sleep until tea
time. for Alexander did not allow
spirits, or even wine, within his nut
The reader will, perhaps, consider
this strange anomaly in his cAarac'
ter. II is, however, Il very common
event for temperance bushmen To
become wild during their short stay
in town.
About three weeks after had been
domesticatcd on Alexander station
was surprised to see my host return
one forenoon at full speed, and witt
look of the greatest consternatlon
give orders TO have the windows o
the hut barricaded, and the doors
secured. He informed me that h'
had been few miles down,the creek
where he had received Information
OF party OF bushrangers that ha'
been robbing and numbering ut NOR
: than twenty stations; and as the rut
fans were but two or three miles oil
il was most likely we should be IA
vored with visit from them thu
very evening. He was determine
| to give them a warm reception, AM
defend his hut to the last extremity
, He put it in my power, however, t
/: escape on horseback, in a directio
!, contrary to that 10y which the ban
e we're approaching, This, however
o | would not hear Of. | am far frol
!. entertaining an overweening conce
+. of my own courage; yet, upon q
|. emergency, can "stand fire" rs we
O as another and, at any rate, am aboN
| such mean act as leaving a frien
:. in situation of danger
Il A scout was stationed outside
o give notice OF the approach of Il
:. bushrangers the instant they shou
n appear. We cut up several dc
vi boards into equal lengths, and 5
Sil cured the windows inside. A heaN
p bar was made as double securi
for the door, as Alexander expect'
,t the bushrangers would burst I
10 look. All the firearms about I
le station were looked out and put
Ilproper trim, ammunition" and CT
re rid dges were prepared, the scout W
a. recalled, and the door firmly secure
4. ut SO u,orn throp IF tIg In the hi