The Morning herald., 1877-08-25

among the gang, and soon they rode off,
followed by Mapping Bill and three
troopers
'Tn the morning, the bound troopers
managed to awake the others by their cries,
and then it was found, from their condition,
that the spirits must have been drugged,
hence their inability to offer any resist
ance.
"We held hasty council, and decided to
send to station, four miles away, for fresh
troopers. By means of fleet messenger, a
search party was organized, and they left
the camp two hours later, preceded by the
black tracker to point out the trail.
LUCKILY, I managed 70 be enrolled
among the party, much to my satisfaction.
I had score to settle with Mapping Bill,
and intended to give good account Of
him if we met
"We numbered twenty resolute, we'll
armed fellows, carrying revolvers and
knives, while the twelve troopers with us
had rifles in addition.
'We proceeded first to the scene Of the
encounter. We found the wagon drawn
off the track and overturned.
''The black tracker soon took up the
trail, and we went into the bush in Indian
file. Our progress was necessarily slow,
but we were quite certain of coming up
with the rangers at last.
"We followed the blacks for couple Of
hours, then one of them suddenly set up
a warning cry, and we rushed forward.
'Tn the centre of an open glade, we saw
the body of man laid upon the ground.
Scattered around were bits of canvas,
and grains of gold g7istened, in the grass.
Examining the body, we recognized it
to be person some of us had seen hang
ing about.the camp few days previous to
the starting of the escort. A small blue
hole in his forehead told what had hap
pened.
Evidently dispute had arisen among
the rangers, and this fellow had been
shot for his obstinacy. We again took up
the trail, and proceeded.
''The bush now became less dense, and
we made greater progress. About mile
further on, one of the blacks who was
some hundred yards ahead suddenly drop
ped fat on the grass, and gave us a warn
ing signal.
advancing cautiously to his side, we
peered through the bushes.
"Down in hollow were six bush-rangers,
seated round small fire. Their horses
were tethered near them, and various pack
ages were scattered about. Our plans were
soon laid. We made detour, and COM
pletely surrounded them.
'T crept quietly through the underwood,
intending to reach tree, which grew about
twenty yards from the fire of the BUSH
rangers. Suddenly hand was laid on my
shoulder. I hastily turned, and saw tall
ranger close by my side.
"He grasped me by my collar, and pre-
sented revolver to my forehead.
"'One sound, and I'll bloY your brains
out, he Kissed.
"Rcsistance was useless, so I submitted.
lie dio4rmed me, flung me on the ground,
and fastened my hands behind me with a
cord l.v pulled from his pocket. He then
went few yards away, to warn the rangers
7 suppose.
81 heard a ringing cheer, shots, oaths,
md all the usual noise of hand-to-hand
'ncounter
"Gving short and sudden wrench,
cot loose, and rushed forward to see the re-
nit of the fight. Just as I advanced, l
heard two shots fired almost simultaneously,
.nd bullet shaved past my head.
Il clapped my hand to my left ear.
leaven! the lobe was shot away. Another
.nch, and | should have been killed.
"'Rathcr narrow shave, that, said one
Of the troopers, coming forward i just
saw the fellow drawing bead on you when
[ dropped him. .
81 went forward and found the victory
had been ours Three of the rangers had
been shot down, one of them being Wap-
ping Bill.
''Two were wounded, and lay on the
ground, while one had escaped. Judge
Lynch soon settled the two prisoners
eve recovered all ourgold, and we made
for our return. We gave the
dead a hasty burial, easing them, of course,