Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-06-08


one not, or seemingly not belonging tx
the Melbourne force. In short, I wa.
| to do It. The matter was briefly this
A packet Of government papers, Of high
| importance, had been stolen from the
messenger to whose care they were in.
trusted; and from information received,
it seemed pretty certain that theil
present possessor-a man fast becoming
notorious in the colony-would be
walking toward the city next afternoon;
and to prevent his intimate acquaintance
with. the town enabling him to escape,
or any confederates attempting his re,
lease, was to wait by bridge on the
line OF road, about ten miles out OF Mel
bourne. and get the papers from him.
The man was by no means to be shot,
orif possible even hurt: but the papers
must be secured. Minute instructions
as to his appearance were followed by a
pretty plain implication that my career
in the force would very largely depend
upon my success.
/ felt, as may be easily imagined, in
anything bat high spirits. The pros
pect of single-handed encounter with
man of whose resources knew moth
ing, and who might blow my brains out
before I had chance of attack, was not
cheering. However, there was nothing
for it; it was my last chance, and must
embrace it without shrinking.
Next day, which was Sunday, ac-
cordingly procured horse from the
station, and taking my revolver with
me. started out to try my luck as q
policeman; and about o'clock in the
afternoon came near the place mention.
ed. / left my horse at the nearest
roadside "hotel," sauntered to the
bridge, and, leaning over the rail with
no very distinct notion of how was go
ing to act, waited for my man with what
GOODNESS I could muster.
Two hours had passed.; the sun was
beginning TO go down; and I was just
preparing to console myself with the
notion that the man had got wind of
our intention, and gone by another
route. when became aware of the ap-
proach of solitary pedestrian. As he
came nearer I ran over the description
of the man / wanted-which / had
learned by heart-and at once conclud-
ed that this was the individual. He
was tall, powerful, uncompromising-
looking fellow of about five and forty,
muscular enough to have lifted me up
and thrown me over the bridge into the
shining water beneath. I commenced
to walk over the bridge as the man ap-
preached it-passed him slowly, and
felt sure it was the man.
After going two or three yards I
turned back. Hearing my step the pur-
loiner Of state documents turned
round.
"Well, mate. what is it2'
Can you oblige me with pipe of
'baccy,nI asked.
"Ohl yes;" handing me his pouch.
"What are you doing about here? You
don't look overbrisk. Broker
'.Pretty nearly" replied.
"New arrival, I supposes"
'Almost."
"Ahl there are too many carpet.
knights flooding Melbourne, Come out
expecting to make pile, got disap-
pointed, and don't like to work for your
grub, eh? Put screw of tobacco in
your pocket you will find it pleasant
company on the road"
Inearly emptied the pouch and hand
ed it back; and as the owner put his
hand for it. I slipped my foot behind
bis heel and pushed him. He tripped
and fell splendidly. was pretty quick
in wrestling and / took hold OF the
mans throat with my left hand, put my
knees on his chest, and with my right
hand felt in the breast pocket Of his
coat. He struggled violently. but
thought should succeed. 7 got my
hand on some papers; but as / was
drawing them from the pocket, the