Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-05-18
A Clever Capture.
BY r. b.

A well known inspector of the detective
ice once related to us clever capture,
eeted by himself, of daring thief, who
more than once escaped from prison.
IN inspector himself had considerable ex-
pAence, and tracked his man to public
ID tse; and, under pretence of being an
ID thief himself threw his companion off
hi iAguard by relating anecdotes. He was
uut med himself, and knew that the real
bublar-who was known to the fraternity
/ as Bill the Cracksman had a revolver
/ in Is breast pocket, with the use of which
he as thoroughly acquainted; ; and the
qQtio was how to arrest him single
aul I'D. Story followed story and remin-
isee tce reminiseence, till Bill and his COM
| paBkn-who called himself Jerry Blake
l-bAame as thick as members of the for
raer1 A profession are proverbially supposed
to home.
Npw,' said Mr. Blake. after pause as
a las Abit of anecdote, I'll show how Joe
tsesdtman was took. He'd sworn how as
tLEsEasn't man in the colony or out of
1t as would take him single-handed. Well,
as tsreward for his capture was heavy
one { the mounted police, determined TO
try on. So what does he do, knowing
someof Joe's haunts, but bribes a stock
man who lived in lonely hut, on the side
of eep gully among the hills, to let him
take possession of the place week or so.
1t was hut where Joe was accustomed to
call yhen he wanted to pick up news, or to
get fresh supply of rum, for the stock
man lad been a convict like himself, and
a paOf his; but pal or no pal, he sold Joe
this ime, and no mistake
ID have blown his brains out, if I'd
been Joe,' observed the cracksman, with as
savas oath
= honor your sentiments responded
Mr.. Blake; and from what | know of
Joe, e shared them. But, you see, when
he loked in one night at the hut, no stock
man vas there but in his place Simmons,
lookity the very pictur' of a rough shep-
herd, vas seated over the fire, making his
tea an cooking damper.'
'HalIo where's the stockman here "
asked Joe, stalking into the hut and ap-
proacing the FIRE for Joe wasn't afraid
of the devil himself. Besides, he was all
stuck -ound with six-shooters and bowie
knive.. so that he was a caution to look
at.
'Wleres the stockman 2 said he.
HIS gone
'Gne where-dead p.
.Pntty nigh it. He's down at the
station with the marsh fever. I've been
ordered up here in his place
And who may you be, mate, when you
are at aome p asked Joe, savagely, for he
was disappointed at losing his friend.
When I'm at home, said Simmons, still
busy With his damper, if home mean
England, l might be Lord Mayor or Chan
celior Of the Exchequer, for any chance l
have Of getting back there; but being
where I am, I'm only jail-bird, like you
mate
JOG. who wasn't accustomed TO bold
speaktGg of this kind, stepped back pace
or two and laid his hand on aslx-shooter
Who do YOU take me for be asked
with oath.
anst taxi sSu any one but ,-aar
proper or improper self said Simmons.
quite ,nmoved, and filling two tin mugs
with the sweetened tea.
AID who am p
Joe the Iinman.
'J,e handled his pistol as one prepared
for action, but Simmons burst into a
laugl
leave off handling your barking-ircn,
he Aid, and take this mug of tea. I'D
advise you to put taste of rum in it, for
the light is a nipper You know where
the bottle is. so make no bones about it.
- 81 4 -.
stokman) sent me up here in his place,
he I'd not forget to say who was his friends
an best customers.
All this was said In so easy and COM
forable a way that the bushranger was
thDwn off his guard and no wonder, for
Simmons was tall, thin, young feller at
tht time, and the Tinman, besides being
amed TO the teeth, was middle-aged, short,
ttckset, and with the muscular develop
mnt of bull The hut was miles from
/ az other habitation, and the night, what
9TH wind and rain, was a screamer.
So Joe the Tinman and Simmons the
ap' sat down to their tea together, and
ply night, I've heard, they had of it.
he pitcher of spirits was filled and emp
led again, again and again. Songs were
ung and tales were told till the noisy rev.
Try within rivaled the dash of the rain
md the scream of the blast without.
Toward morning each took to boasting
Of his powers of doing this thing or that
thing, and among other things, Simmons,
who'd been, when a mere boy, sort of
lcrobat at circus, boasted of his powers
If jumping.
Now he said, supposing the traps
we're about me, and you was one of 'em,
I'd clear a short man like you at bound
md, provided you wern't armed, I'd defy
, dozen like you 60 catch me-
The Tinman who was bumptious in his
cups, denied this.
t'Why,' said he, if you was to try to
cap over me as you say, I'd just up with 7
nv arms and pin your two thread-paper
egs So
He illustrated his words by action, but /
simmons only laughed.
Nonsense I'd skim over you as
wallow skins over bit O. water. You
wouldn't even touch my shadder as
,assed'
The Tinman, drinking more rum, grew
.ngry.
'.Pd like to see you try it. You're
more of grasshopper than properly I
,uilt man, that's what you are! Come, I'll 7
bet you this gold watch that you don't
Jump clean over me as L stand now, back /
toward you
Watch be hanged says Simmons.
bet you bottle of rum against that
bowie you've got in your belt that clear
a short chap ike you, hold up your hands
as high as you can, at jump only give
NE the run of few yards
Done And drawing the bowie
hnife from his belt, the bushranger laid it
on the table