The Republican journal., 1870-06-23
A CLEVER CAPTURE,

A CLEVER CAPTURE.
A wellknown inspector Of the detective
force once related to us clever capture ef
fected by himself, of daring thief who had
more than once escaped from prison. The
inspector himself had had considerable ex-
perience, and tracked his man to a low public
house; and, under pretenne of being an old
thief himself, threw his companion off his
guard by relating anecdotes. He was un-
armed himself, and knew that the real burglar
who was known TO the fraternity as 'Bill
the Cracksman''-h a revolver in his breast
pocket, with the use of which he was thor
oughly acquainted: and the question was
how to arrest him single handed Story fol
lowed story, and reminiscence "reminiscences
till Bill and his ompanion--Who called HIM
self Jerry Blake-became asthick as members
of the formers profession are proverbally
supposed to become,
Now" said Mr. Blake, after a pause, 'as
a last bit of anecdote, I'll show you how Joe
the tlnman was took. He'd sworn as there
wasn't any man in the colony or out of it as
would take him single-handed. Well, as the
reward for his capture was heavy one a
chap named Simmons, who was then one Of
the mounted police, determined to try it on.
SO what does he do, knowing some Of Joe's
haunts but bribes a stockman, who lived in
a lonely hut, on the side of a deep gully
among the hills, TO let him take possession Of
the place for week or So 1t was hut
where Joe was accustomed to call when he
wanted to pick up news, OF to get a fresh
supply of rum, for the stockman had been
convict like himself, and 4 pal of his; but
pal or no pal, he sold Joe this time, and no
mistake
I'D have blow his brains out if rd been
joe" observed the cracksman, with savage
oath.
Il honor your sentiments" )" responded Mr..
Blake; land from what [ know of Joe he
shared 'em. But, YOU see, when he looked
in one night at the hut, no stockman was
there but in his place Simmons looking the
very pictur' of rough Shepherd was seated
over the fire, making his tea and cooking
damper
''IIilloa where's the stockman here?" ask
ed Joe stalking into the hut and approaching
the fire; for Joe wasn't ateard Of the devil
himself. Besides, he was all stuck round
with six-shooters and bowie-knives, 50 that
he was Il caution to look at
''Where's the stockmang says he.
Simmons only looked up ior minute,
then went on cooking his damper
"lIe's gone"
'Gone where dead 2'
'Pretty nigh it, He's down at the station
with marsh fever. Eve been ordered up
here in his place"
And who may YOU be, mate, when you's
at home 2" asked Joe, savagely for he WAS
disappointed at losing his friend.
when Pm at home" said Simmons, still
busy with his damper, ''it home means Eng
land, might be Lord Mayor, or Chancellor
of the EXchequer, for any chance have Of
getting back there but being here where |
am. I'm only a .ail-brd, like you, mate.''
Joe, who wasn't accustomed to bold speak
ing Of this kind, stepped back a pace or two
and laid his hand ON sixshooter.
''Who do you take me for ?" he asked with
an oath.
II don't take you for any one but your
proper or improper self, said Simmons, quite
unmoved and filling two tin mugs with the
sweetened tea.
And who am ?''
Joe the Tnman.'
Joe handled his pistol as one prepared for
action, but Simmons burst into a laugh.
F'Leave off handling your barking iron, =
he said land take the mug Of tea. I'd ad-
wise you to put 4 taste Of rum in it, for the
nights a nipper. You know where the bot
tie is, so make no bones about it. When Old
Mike (that was the name of the stockman
sent me up) was here in his place, he didn't
forget to say who was his friends and his
best customers
All this was said in so easy and comfort
able way that the bushranger was thrown
off his guard; and no wonder, for Simmons
was a tall thin, young feller at that time,
and the tinman, besides being armed to the
teeth, was middle aged, short thick set and
with the muscular development of bull
The hut was miles from any othel habitation,
| u ~, sI,l,A Il 1
a screamer.
$50, Joe the Tinman and Simmons 'the
! trap sat down to their tea together, and iol-
ly night, rve heard, they had of it. The
pitcher of spirits was filled and emptied again
and again.
Gon5s woIu sInS and tales were told TIL the
noisy revelry within the lonely hut almost III
vailed the dash of the rain and the scream OF
the blast without.
Toward morning each took to boasting OF
his powers to do this thing or that thing and
among other things, Simmons, who'd been
when mere boy sort of acrobat at a circus,
boasted of his powers of Jumping
! Now" he said, ''supposing the traps
were about me, and you was one Of 'em I'd
clear q short man like you at q bound and
provided you wern't armed I'd defy dozen
| like you to catch me-"
The Tinman, who was bumptious in his
cups, denied this.
''Why," said he, IF you was to try to lea,
over me as yousay, I'd just Jump up with my
arms and pin your two thread paper legs So )
He illustrated his words by action, but
Simmons only laughed.
"Nonsense! I'd skim over you as swal-
low Skins over a bit O water. You wouldn't
even touch my shadder as passed.
The Tinman, drinking more rum, grew
angry.
'Id like to see you try it. You're more Of
a grasshopper than a properly built man.
that's what you are! Come I'll bet you thi>
gold watch that You don't jump clean ovel
me as l stand now, back toward you"
Watch be hanged y says Simmons. II bel
you bottle Of rum against that bowie
you've got in your belt that clear a shor
chap like you, hold up your hands as high
as you can, at jump, only give me the rur
of few yards"
Done! !" And, drawing the bowie-knift
from his belt the bushranger laid it on the
table"
"Gammonr observedBill, '.who had listen.
ed with much attention to the story It's q
thing as Leonard, or any O them springy
chaps, couldn't do"
Its only a trick" replied Mr. Blake-'a