Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-03-11

bourne force. In short, I was to dc
it. The matter ives briefly this: A
packet Of government papers, Of high
Importance, had been stolen from the
messenger to whose care they were
intrustsd; and from information re-
csived it seemed rretty certain that
their present posssssor--s 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 cen
federates attempting his release, /
was to wait by . briigs 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 -hot
or, if possible, even hurt but the
papers must be secured. Minute 10.
structions as to hs appearance were
followed by q pretty plain implica-
tion that my career in the force would
very largely depend upon my sue.
cess.
Ifelt, as may be easily imagined,
in anything but high spirits. The
prospect of siugls-hauded enc ,unter
With q man Of whose resources ! knew
nothing, and who might blow my
brains ont before I had a chance of
attack, was not cheering. However,
there was nothing for ii; it was my
last chance, and / must embrace it
without shirkiua.
Next dav which was Sunday I &C.
cordiugly procured a horse from the
station and taking my revolver with
me, started out to try my luck as a
policeman, and about two o'clock in
the afternoon came near tbs place
mentioned. / left my horse at the
nearest roadfIde "hotsl," sauntared to
the bridge and, leaning over the rail
with no very distinct notion Of how I
waa going to act, waited for my man
with what coolnsss could muster.
Two hours had passed; the sun was
beginning to 60 down and l waa just
preparing to console myself with TIE
notion that the man had got wind
Of our intention and gone by another
route, when I became aware OF the
approach of a solitary pedestrian.
| As he came nearer l ran over the de-
scriptiou of the man I wantsd-vhich
I had learned by heart-and at once
concInded that this was the indivd-
nal. He was tall, powerful, uncom-
promising looking fellow of about five
and forty, muscular enough to have
lifted me up and thrown me over the
b 'idge into ,h shining water beneath.
l commenced 10 walk over the bridge
as the MN approached it-passed
him slowly and felt cure it was the
man. After going two or three yards
I turned back. Hearing my step the
purloirer of state documents turned
around.
well, mate, what ia it?"
Can you oblips ne with pipe Of
'baccy?" | asked.
obi yes; handicg me his pouch.
What are you doing about here? You
dent look over brisk. Broke ?"
pretty nearly" replied.
New arrival I auppose?
"a most"
"Ah there are too many carpet
knights flooding Melbourne. Came
ou, expecting to make pile, got dis
appointed and don't ike to work for
your Pru;, sh? Pm: a screw Of to-
hacco in your pocket, you'll find it
pleasant company on the road"
l nearly emptied the pouch and
handed it back aud rs the owner put
out his baud for it ! slipped my foot
behind his heel and pushed bin. Hs
rirped and fell srlendidly. I was
pretty quick in wrestling, and took
ho'd of the mans throat with my left
hand, put my knees on his chest, and
with my right hand felt in the breast
rocket Of his coat. He struggled vi
o'en:ly, but I thought I should sue
ceed. | got M hands on some papers,
but ss was drawing tbem from tie
pocket the rufisn got hold of my
right knee-cap with bis left hand and
gave it ,uch a terrible wrench that l
believed he dislocstsd the joint. then
feeli q my hold relax ne sud 'euly
hoisted himself with his right hand,
sprang up. caught hold of my wrist sul
hurried me to the bridge. Holding