Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-10
The Gold Robbers.

The Gold Robbers.
1t was November evening that we all
sat round cheerful fire after dinner.
Uncle John, who had come home from
Australia a week before, was giving us
various bits of information about the eli
mate, people, &C., in that favored country.
He paused for while, so I asked him,
couldn't you tell us story of your adj
ventures, or something that happened to
you, uncle?"
'Well," he answered, give had so many
adventures, small and great, that it's hard
to pick out one; but suppose 1 tell the
isfy you?'
We all declared we should be delighted
to hear it; SO giving the fire a poke, and
all of us drawing near the blaze, he be-
gan the following:
"You know, when I first went to Aus
tralia, there was a great excitement about
the gold that was being found in several
places; and, like great number of people
l was seized with gold mania, and went
to the diggings. You all know, also, that
was very fortunate there but of that
have nothing to say now, as am going
to tell you what befell me one night,
about fortnight after my arrival at the
diggings.
'Your uncle Tom, who was with me,
was up the country for couple Of days
with an old schod-fellow, whom he had
found in that remote region; so 1 found
myself on this particular night the sole
occupant of our hut. had retired to my
hammock rather early that night; but I
could not 60 to sleep, but kept tossing
about for a long time. At last opened
my eyes wide, with the conviction that
sleep was not within my grasp for that
night; and I began looking round the
hut at such objects as the remains of the
lire made clear enough to be seen. AS I
looked round dark object in one corner
arrested my attention; it was corner
not lighted by the fires that took some
moments to make out what it was; but
at last came to the pleasant conclusion
that there was some one else in the hut
beside myself.
CHOW this was particularly inconven-
lent thing, to say the least Of it; for I
knew nobody personally who lived about
us; but knew very we'll that as gener-
al rule, they we're coarse low lot Of ruff
fans, great many Of them convicts, and
men who had to fly from their countries
for various reasons best known to them
selves, so you may perhaps form a slight
idea of my feelings. l knew it was not
MY brother, for he would not be back for
two days; besides,why should he come in
so silently, and stand there so mysterious
ly. But what puzzled me most was how
any, one could;get there for I had most care
fully fastened the door before retiring to
rest. thought my eyes might be de-
ceived, but on looking more intently at
the dark object, 1 distinctly saw the out.
line OF pair of shoulders and one arm, but
it was impossible to see the head or feet,
as the shade was so heavy in the corner.
"Now. in this very corner we had a
chest, in which we brought various clothee
and other necessaries, and in which
we meant to put any gold we might find
Il say meant, because we had not got
any up to the present time-so I, of
course, concluded that my visitor was ex-
aiming this chest with viewof robbery,
and thought the best thing could do
would be to remain quiet for the present
but spoiled my plan by turning on my
side SO as to watch the robber better, and
in doing so made what seemed to me a
great deal Of noise. I now thought there
was no use in concealment, SO drawing a
revolver, which I always kept under
my head at night, called out, :Come
forward at once and show yourself, or III
blow your brains out.'
II made as much noise as I could ir
cooking the revolver, so as to give my
threat more weight; but the gentleman
in the corner seemed to take notice, fol
he remained perfectly quiet. was unde
cided what to do till the thought STRUCK
me that the robber might at that momen
be medftating shooting me from wher,
was, and this thought made nv bloo(
run cold, for I thought of the friends anc
relations had left at home, and of til,
state they would be in when they heard
had been shot in Australia; 80 I agar
called out, whoever you are, l'll give yo,
but one chance; I'll count three, and if a
the third word you don't come forward
I'll fire."
II told you could not see the man
head so aimed at where I thought
ought to be, and counted slowly, sOnt
two, three
Sat the word three | fired four shot
in quick succession. for I thought that i
the almost total darkness my aim migl
not be very good; but they seemed I
have taken effect, for when the smok
cleared away, I locked in vain for III
midnight visitor, | could not summo
courage to get up and look for his body
not that was exactly afraid, but had
horrible feeling Of having shed huma