The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-11-28
The Gold Robber.

Ii was on Il November evening that we
all sat round a cheerful fire after dinner.
Uncle John. who had come home from
Australia week before, was giving US
various bits Of information about the
climate, people, &c, in that favored
country He paused for while, SO |
asked him, Couldn't you tell us a story
of your adventures, or something that
happened to you, uncle!'
Well he answered, "lve had so
many adventures, small and great, that
it's hard to pick out one; but suppose
tell you the first that happened to me-
will that satisfy your"
We all declared we should be delight
ed to hear it; so, giving the fire a poke,
and all of US drawing near the blaze, he
began the following:
You know when | first went to Aus
tralia, there was great excitement about
the gold that was being found in several
places; and, like a great number of peo-
pie. | was seized with gold mania, and
went 70 the digginCs. You all know also,
that | was very fortunate there-but of
that have nothing to say now, as | am
going 70 tell you what betell me one
night, about fortnight after my arrival
at the diggings.
Your uncle Tom. who was with ne,
was up the country for a couple of days
with an old school-fellow, whom he had
found in that remote region; so | found
myself on this particular night the sole
occupant of our hut. | had retired TO
my hammock rather early that night
but could not 60 to sleep, but kept
tossing about for a long time. AT last |
opened Lay eyes wide, with the convic-
tien that sleep was rot within my grasp
for that night; and began looking round
the hut at such objects as the remains OF
the fire made clear enough to be seen. As
looked round, dark object in
one corner arrested my attention; it
was corner mt lighted by fire,
50 that | took some moments to
make out what il WIS; but at last | came
TO the pleasant conclusion that there was
some one else in the hut besides myself
Now this was particularly incOnven-
lent thing, TO say the least of it; for
knew nobody personally who lived about
us; but knew very we'll that as a gen.
eral rule, they were coarse low lot of
=
and men who had to fly from their coun-
tries for various reasons best known to
themselves, so you may perhaps form a
slight idea of my feelings. | knew it
was not my brother, for he would not be
back for TWO days; besides, why should
ne come in so silently, and stand there so
mysteriously. But what puzzled me most
was how any one could get there, for
had most carefully fastened the door be-
fore retiring to rest. | thought my eyes
might be deceived. but on looking more
intently on the dark object, distinctly
saw the outline of pair of shoulders,and
one arm, but it was impossible to see the
head or feet, as the shade was so heavy
N the corner.
Now, IN this very corner we had
ehest.in which we brought various clothes
and other necessaries, and i'll which We
meant 10 put any gold We might find
! say meant, because We had not got any
up 10 The present time-so /, of course,
concluded that my visitor was examining
this chest with a view of robbery, and
though; the best thing | could do would
he To- remain quiet for the present; but
spoiled my plan by turning on my side
So as 10 watch the robber better, and in
doing so | made what seemed to me a
great deal of noise. now thought there
was no use in concealment, so drawing
a revolver, which always kept under my
bead at night, | called out, Come for
ward al once and show yourself, or III
blow your brains out"
II made as much noise as | could in
cooking the revolver, so as 10 give my
threat more weight; but the gentleman
IN the corner seemed to take no notice,for
he remained perfectly quiet. was I'M
decided what to do till the thought struck
me that the robbcr might at that moment
be meditating shooting me from where
he was, aud this thought made my blood
run cold, for | thought of the friends and
relations | had left at home, and of the
state they would be in when they heard |
had been shot in Australia; so | again
called out, Whoever you are,l give you
but one chance; I'll count three, and If