Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-03-21
How we Caught Him.

cling up the Darling River, in New South
Wales, en- route to station where | had an
engagement as drover. | arrived one af-
ternoon at a station, the owner of which
was friend of mine. BY the stable-yard
a group of four men were standing, cycling
some cattle which had apparently been just
run in by the stockman.
Foremost among the group stood my
friend Jones, and on discovering me he
came forward and shook hands heartily.
He then introduced me to fresh-looking
youth called Newchome, who had not
long left England, and who had on pair
of gloves, and-for tho bush, mirabile djctD
"a coat and collar.
"Come down to the house, old fellow,
said Jones, "and I will send Dick to put
your horses on some good feed"
preferred, however, to take charge of
my cattle personally, as my horses were
the most precious property | possessed.
"By the way" said Jones, have you
heard that that brute, Black Sam, shot
poor McKlllop through the lungs the 9TH
er day He died almost directly"
Soon after this Left the station with
my horses, having been directed to the best
place for feed and water. had to cross
the creek at the ford, and as they were
cool | let them drink the clear, cold fluid,
A short distance farther on saw my land
mark, an old hut. Here | hobbled my
horses, and left them nibbling the rich
grass. A thin column of smoke was curl
ing from the bark chimney Of the hut, and
thinking that the fire belonged to one Of
the shepherds, turned for the purpose OF
getting light.
was just going to give the door push
when it was flung open, and swartby,
black bearded man stood in the doorway,
with revolver leveled at my detencelcss
head
"Upwith your hands, " said this worthy,
"and don't move unless you want hole
drilled in yer carcass! Walk in and sit
down." was the next order; and having
sat down with my hands high IN the air
on an old box in the hut, which did duty
as either chair or table, the man said cool
ly, "I'm Black Sam, and | want one OF yeT
horses maybe both. Mines knocked up
Now then, yer've got to answer some ques.
tions. Where do yer come from! Where
are yer a-goin' to? Have yer seen any Of
those peclers on the road and who's al
the station2"
answered the questions with great ur
banity and politeness.
"Keep your hands up" said the ruflian
as one OF my tired arms came down az
inch.
obeyed him with lightning-like rap
idity, and assured him that | was unnamed
and after stern look at me he allowed mt
to lower my arms.
After some conversation, he continued
"Now, then, sir, we'll 60 and see the var
ramen.' like the 'pints' OF that blue roar
of yours; he's good un, or | mistake
Will you go first, sill -? | always like tt
follow in the footprints of gentleman.
He accompanied this witticism with grin
chuckle and a click of the revolver ham
mer. "Put the bride on the blue roam
and let the other one 60" did so, rejoic
ing that he was not going to take both m.
horses. He then vaulted, revolver in hand
on to Bluey's bare back, an indignity whici
the old horse resented with snort and
heave of his headquarters but finding
that he was bearing consummate rider
he went quietly enough. | had to wall
along the bridle-track in front, and whe1
we got to the station he jumped off, COOL
took my saddle, and was on the horse
back again in trce. He then made m
walk up to the stock yard, where the.
were making preparations for killing bul
lock for the station. Jones had rifle i
his hand, but it was not loaded.
Poor Newchome, being totally muse
to this sort of treatment, had tried to rur
but was sternly ordered back, and 500
seated with the rest of us on the fence.
There we were-fvc men to one; bu
that one armed.
The bush-ranger now dismounted, pick
ed up Jones rifle, and demanded the pow
der flask and bullets belonging to it. o
these articles being Produced he COOL
loaded. He then, seeing that Newchon
was the most frightened, sent him to I'll
house for food, telling him to come bac
without firearms, or he would pick him o
with the rife. After a short absence
Newchome came back with some bread an
meat, and half bottle of brandy. Blac
Sam ate voraciously.
We were all by this time boiling Owe
with rage at the cool audacity of til
+ scoundrel, and yet we dared not move {
q lower our hands, as he had promised she
! at the first who did so. 1t was now will
q an hour of sunset, and at this moment
q uick start from Jones made me look u
+ and there, down the road, | saw a cloud
! dust; horses galloping, and coming near'
n every moment.
? Black Sam saw it too. "A plant
=. roared he, leaping on Bluey's back, ar
q dashing away over the creek, dropping IL
= rifle in his haste. Down we all jumpe
! and Jones, Selling the rifle snapped it
the bush-ranger.
Just at this moment Bluey, strange
. say, put his foot in hole, and fell, hurlir
d the bush-ranger far from him. We sa
IS him get up, seize his revolver, which la
d a few yards away, and run for the mou
tain. Just then police sergeant and blat
g trooper galloped up, their horses covert
|. with foam and dust. "There he goes Wv
IS shouted. We tore down to the hut, seizt
|. any weapons we could get, and those wi
IS got any sort of firearm loaded as they wen
d The sergeant and the trooper, of courS
e were at the base Of the range before u
l. being on horseback but they had to dl
e mount, as it was impossible to ride up Il
d steep craggy sides. Up we all went; tt
n black trooper tracking the bush-rang
d with ease, as his struggles in climbing le
d visible traces to us all. He was out
1t sight, however, in thick scrub, and amol
n the big boulders of rock that were so n
l. merous. Puff! whiz and the sergea
lie put his hand up to his head.
n "Close thing that" remarked he, al
n we all got under cover, and were lit
ii more cautious The hnsh-ra ranger had fire