Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-05-02
SELECTED STORY.
HOW WE CAUGHT HIM.

Some years ago I happened to be trav-
cling up the Darling River, in New
South Wales. en- route TO a station where
had an engagement as drover. ar
rived one afternoon at a station, the own
err OF which was friend of mine. BY
the stable yard group Of four men were
stand ing, cycling rome cattle which had
apparen tly been just run in by the stock
man.
Foremost among the group stood my
friend Jones. and on discovering me be
came forward aud shook hands heartily.
He tLen introduced me to fresh look
ing youth called Newchome. who had
not long left England, and who had on
pair Of gloves. and-for the bush. mira
bill d'ctue-a coat and collar.
"Come down to the house. old fellow"
said Jones. "ani l will send Dick to put
your horses en some good feed"
preferred, however. to take charge
of my cattle personally, as my horses
were the most precious property | pos
sessrd.
by the way" said Jones, 'raave you
heard that that brute Black Sam, shot
poor McKillop through the lungs the
o.her day He died almost directly
Soon after this left the station with
my horses, having been directed to the
best place for teed and water. bad to
cross the creek at the ford. and as they
We're cool let them drink the clear cold
fluid. a short distance farther Oh I saw
my land mark, an old hut. Here hob
bled my horses. and left them nibtling
the rich grass. A thin column Of smoke
was curling up from the bark chimney
of the hut. aud thinking that the fire be-
longed TO one of the shepherds. l turned
for the purpose Of getting light.
was jus, going to give the door a
push when it was flung open. and
swarthy. black bearded man stood in the
doorway with revolver leveled at my
defenceless head.
"Up with your hands, said this wor.
thy. and don't move unless you want
hole drilled through your carcass! Walk
in AMI sit down, was the next order aud
having sat down with my hands high i'll
the air, OH an old boz in the hut, which
did duty as either chair or table, the
man said cody, Pm Black Sam. and |
want one of your horses-may be both
Mines knocked up. Now, then. yer've
got to answer some questions. Where do
yer come from =? Where are you a-goin
to? Have you seen any of those pcelers
on the road and whose at the sta tiou 7"
answered the questions With great
urbauity and politeness.
Keep your hands up" said the ruff
fan, as one of the tired arms came down
an inch.
obeyed him with lightning like ra-
pidity, aud assured him that | was un-
armed and iter stern look at me he al
lowed me to lower my arms.
After some conversation, he oJ6,iuued:
"Now, then, sir. we'll 60 aud see the
yarraman.' like the p;nts' of that blue
roam of yours; he's good un, or l mis-
take. VIII you 60 first, sir? always
like to follow in the footprints of a gen.
tleman. He accompanied this witt;cism
with grim chuckle ard click of the
revolver hammer. Put the. bride on
the blue roam, and let the other one CO."
did SO. rejoicing that he was not golug
to take both of my horses. He then
vaul,ed. revolver in hand, on to Bluey' 5
bare back, an indignity which the older
horse resented with snort and heave
of his hindquarters but finding that he
was bearing consumate rider be went
quietly enough. l had to walk slopg the
bridal track in front. and when we got to
the station he jumped OF cody took my
saddle, and was on the horses back in
a tricc. He then made me walk up to
the stock-yard where they were making
preparations for killing bullock for the
station. Jones had rife in bis hand,
but it was not loaded.
Poor Newchome. being totally unused
to this sort of treatment. had tried to
run bu. was sternly ordered back, and
sccn seated with the fes. Of us on the