The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-10
Beset by Rushrangers.

Surveying and exploring new district
In Queensland is matter of some hardship
and peril. In the evenings after the days
work is over, when we have finished our
''damper," salt-bcef and tea, and arc smok-
ing our pipes round Il blazing log fire, many
IL strange story is told. My men are old
Bushnlcn, and up to q thing Or two, cspe-
cially My Chairman.
lie is q harum-scarum, reckless, hand
some, genuine lrishman of very respectable
family, induced to emigratc many years ago
as hopeless scapegrace. He 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
Il place in the interior, called, ] think, JIM
balIuh. Having stopped at several public
houses on the way, lie found himself still
on his journey with tcn-pound note, half
Il sovereign and half crown, in his pocket
About Il hundred miles from Sydney, he
found some confusion in public house
which he had entered to obtain refrcshmcnt
The landlady was crying bitterly, and tho
servants were in great fright.
When he entered, the hostess eagerly OK
claimed:
"You are not one of thin, are you2"
''What do you mean2"
"Och, it's the Bushrangcrs I name You
aren't one of thim2"
''No. Have they been here, thcn7"
eyes, half al hour ago, and cleared my
house of all had. The widdy's curse be
upon thin |"
"Havc they gone down the road, or
struck right into the bush z"
''Gone down the road to pick up all they
meet wild"
'How many2"
Three sorrow less"
Now, My Chairman must go down to
Sydney. lie could not take the bush for it,
as lie did not know the country well enough.
He might evadc the Bushrangcrs by some
lucky chance, either by the aid of night or
other means. lie was dressed, of course,
in the gear of a thorough Bushman, and
they might spare him on the old Scotch
principle, "IIawks pyke not oot hawks
Gen." Besides, he might conceal his ten
pound note, and it would not break his
heart to lose his half-sovercign and half
crown. On the WHOLE then, he saw moth
ing for 1t but to 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 1t 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 revolvcrs and addressed by three
voices:
"Dismount |"
No help for it. lie got off his horse, and
took survey of the GLORIOUS three" One
was very good-natured looking fellow ;
the other seemed rather backward T.; tho third
was an unmistakable ruff1an.
''Where have you becn2 You're a dig
ger2"
'Im just coming from the W"nooran
Diggins."
These gold fields were noted for their
provcrty.
'Howmuch money have you got2"
Zone half sovereign and one alf-crown."
'Is that all :"
"That's ALL"
1t was the good -naturcd man who spoke
in this dialogue.
81 think, Jim, we may lot him off, The
poor fellow must be hard up, coming from
those .wretched diggins."
EVEN have something to say to him
first, replied Number Three, whose accent
was Irish; and this gave My Chairman
some hope.
lowell, at all events, he must have glass
Of grog." My Chairman accordingly drank
bumper that took his breath away.
"Walk before me into tho bush," then
said Number Three.
''Not bit of it, jim let the poor wretch
60. Why, hos countryman of your own
What do you say, Jack3"
'sNever mind what Jack says |" replied
Number Three. "Don't you make an ass
of yourself, Dickl I'll have my own way
in this"
He motioned to My Chairman to 90 on !;
and on no went until he reached belt of
scrub.
"IIalt! Now, listen to me. It's my
opinion that you are schemer. If find
one shilling On you more than you have ac-
knowledged to Che swore terrible OATH,
III blow your brains out on the spot.
Strip" ,g
Ny Chairman owned to me that for a
moment he felt a mortal terror, but he shook
It off and proceeded to undress.
'9Tske of your jumper flrst--not your
boots. Now your flannel shirt. Throw
them ever to me-