West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-04-26
Beset by BushrangerS.

Surveying and exploring new district
In Queensland is Il matter of some hardship
and peril. In the evenings, after the days
work is over, when we have finished our
"damper,' sat-beef and tea, and are smok-
ing our pipes round blazing log-fire, many
IA strange story is told. My men are old
Bushmen, and up to thing or two, espe-
cially My Chairman.
lie is a harum -scarum, reckless, hand
some, genuine lrishman of very respectable
family, induced to emigrate many years ago
as a hopeless scapegrace. lie has knocked
about New South Wales and Queensland in
all sorts Of capacities. fell in with him
by chance. was fortunate enough to save
his life, engaged him, and believe him to be
as devoted and fine fellow as there is in
the world.
A few years ago, My Chairman was
journeying in the direction Of Sydney, from
place in the interior, called, think, jim
ballah. Having stopped at several public
houses ON the way, he found himself still
on his journey with "A ten-pound note, half
u sovereign, and a half crown, in his pocket
About "a hundred miles from Sydney, he
found some confusion in public house
which lac had entered to obtain refreshment.
The landlady was crying bitterly, and the
servants were i'm a great fright.
When he entered, the hostess eagerly ex-
claimed:
"You are not one OF thin, are youl"
"What do you meant"
"Och, it's the Bushrangers | name. You
aren't one of thing
"No. Have they been here, then ?"
eyes, half an hour ago, and cleared my
house of all had The widdy's curse be
upon thiml"
Have they gone down the road or
struck right into the bush Z"
''Gone down the road to pick up all they
meet wild. "
GLOW many Z"
Three sorrow less
Now, My Chairman must 20 down to
Sydney. He could not take the bush for il,
as he did not know the country well enough
He might evade the Bushrangers by some
lucky chance, either by the aid of night or
other means. He was dressed, of course,
in the gear Of thorough Bushman, and
they might spare him on the old Scotch
principle, "IIawks pyke not DOT hawks
cen &" Besides, he might conceal his ten
pound note, and it would not break his
heart to lose his hafsovereign and half
crown. On the whole, then, he saw moth
ing for it but 10 resume his journey. He
chose his short sock as the best place for the
bank note, and thrust the note into it, with
out folding it up
Forth he went, and rode rapidly on for
about half an hour without seeing the ran
gers however, he distinctly saw the fresh
tracks of four horses in advance. At an
abrupt turn Of the road, he was covered by
three revolvers and addressed by three
voices.
'Dismount :"
No help for it. He got off his horse and
took a survey Of the GLORIOUS three. One
was Il very good-natured looking fellow ;
the other seemed rather backward the third
was an unmistakable rufiian
''Where have you beeni You're a dig
ger2"
'1m just coming from the wanooran
Diggins
These gold fields were noted for their
proverty.
GLOW much money have YOU got 2"
cone half sovereign and one half-crown SO
els that all i'
''That's ALL
II was the good -natured man who spoke
in this dialogue.
'I think, jim, we may Jet him of. The
poor fellow must be hard up, coming from
those wretched diggins.
oven have something 70 say TO him
first, replied Number Three, whose accent
was Irish and this gave Ny Chairman
some hope
'Well, at all events, he must have glass
u gog Ny Chairman accordingly drank
bumper that took his breath away.
''Walk before me into the bush, then
said Number Three.
''Not bit Of il, Jim let thepoOr wretch
go. Why he'sa countryman Of your own.
What do you say, Jack %
''Never mind what Jack saysin replied
Number Three. Don't You make an asa
Of yourself, Dick IN have my own way
in this
lie moioned 70 Ny Chairman 70 go on
and on he went until he reached a belt Of
scrub
'1Ialt Now, listen TO me. It's my
opinion that you are schemcr If ] find
one shilling on you more than you have ac-
knowledged to (he swore terrible OATH.
IN blow your brains out on the spot.
Strip
My Chairman owned TO me that for a
moment he felt a mortal terror, but no shook
Il of and proceeded TO undress.
Take of your jumper first moi your
boots Now your flannel shirt Throw
tbsm over 10 me