The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-18
The Gold Robber.

1t was on November evening that we
all sat round Il 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 Il while, 50 |
asked him, couldn't you tell us a story
Of your adventures, or something that
happened to you, uncle2"
We'll" be answered, "l'vc 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
tralis. there was q great excitement about
the gold that was being found in several
places; and, like a great number of peO-
pie, l was seized with gold mania, and
went 10 the diggngs. You all know also,
that I 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
NJ 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. l had retired to
my hammock rather early that night
but could not 60 to sleep, but kept
tossing about for long time. At last
opened my eyes wide, with the convc-
tien that sleep was not 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
l looked round, dark object 10
one corner arrested my attention; it
was corner not lighted by fire,
so 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
as; but knew very well that as a gen
eral rule, they were a coarse low lot of
rutians, 4 great many of them convicts,
and men who had 10 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 be would not be
back for two days; besides, why should
he come in 50 silently, and stand there so
mysteriouay. 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
intentiy on the dark object, distinctly
saw the outline OF a pair Of shoulders. aud
one arm, but it was impossible to see the
head or feet, as the shade was 20 heavy
IN the corner.
"Now, in this very corner We had
chest in which We brought various clothes
and other necess4ries, and in which we
meant - put any gold sc might find
l say meant, because we had not got any
up 70 the present time-sO /. of course.
conc uded that nay visitor was examining
this chest with view OF robbery, and |
thought the best thing I could do would
nc 10 remain quiet for the present; but
spoiled my plan by turning on my side
80 as % watch the ro5ber better, and in
doing so | made what seemed to me
great deal of noise. now thought there
was no use in couoealment, SO drawing
a revolver, which always kept under my
head at night, called ont, Come for
ward at once and show yourself, or I'll
blow your brains OUT
II made as much noise as could in
cooking the revolver, so as TO give my
threat more weight; but the gentleman
in the corner seemed To take no notice, for
he remained perfectly quiet. l was IN
decided what TO do till the thought struck
me that the robber might at that moment
be meditating shooting me from where
he was, and 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 |
bad been shot in Australia; so | again
called out, Whoever you are, I'll give you
but one chance; I'll count three, and if