The National tribune., 1882-03-18
THE
GULLY OF BLUEMANSDYKA A,-
AN AUSTRALIAN STORY.

The expedition had started from Trafalasi
gar on the afternoon of the same day that
Maurice Broadhurst's horse, toam-tlecked
and frightened had galloped up to the old
stable door. Burton. the Inspector of con-
stahularv, an energetic and able man as all
who knew him can testify, was in command.
He had detached BraXton. the young IRISH
man. and Thompson, another trooper. .as n van
guard. lie himself rode with the main body.
pray-whiskered and lean, but as straight ID
thu back as when he and bailt Il ST Fanty III
80 in what is now Burkestreet Meih0urn.
With him were McGillivary, Foley, and
Anson of the Trafalgar force, Hartley the
shecp-farmer, MurAock and Summervil'e
who had made Their pile at the mines, and
Dan Murphy, who was cleaned out when
the clay of the "Orient" turned to gravel,
and had been yesrnng for solid square
fyht ever since. Chicago Eli formed tie
rear guard, and the whole party presented
an appearance which, though far from mill
,arg. was decidedly warlille.
They camped ont that night seventeen
miles from Trafalgar, and next day puShed
on rs far as where the Stirliug-road runs
across The third morning brought them 10
the Northern bank of the Wawirra, which
they forded Here a council Of war was
held. for they were entering what they re-
garded rs enemy's country. The bush track,
though wild. was occasionally traversed both
nv shepherds and spnrtsmcn. it would
hardly he the home of gang OF desperate
bushranrers. BeTond the Wawirra the
great ragged range of the T&pu noun"
taips lowered up to the clouds, ard across
a wild spur of these the mining track passed
M to Rluemansdyke. 1t was here they de-
cided al the council that the scene OF the
gTate drama Law. The question
what means were To lie taken to NJ
murderers for that murder had bt .7
no man doubted
All were of one mind as TO what the main
line of action should be. To go for them
straight. shoot as many az possible on sight,
and hang the balance in Trafalgar that was
rlain sailing. But how to get AT them was
the subject Of rpuch debate. The troopers
were for pushing on at once, aud trusting TO
| Fortune to put the rangers in their way
| The miners proposed rather 10 gain some
neighboring peak, from which good view
Of the country could he obtained, and some
! idea pained of their whereabouts Chicago
/ Pill took rather a gloomy view Of things
- Nary one will we see" said he; " they've
! dusted ont Of the district fore this. Ihey'c
know the horse would 60 home. and likely
as not they've had watch on the road t'
warn them. | guess, boys, we'd best NOV,
or an do our best" There was some discus
sion, but Chicago's opinion carried the day
and the expedition pushed on IN body
After rassing the second upland station
the scenery becomes more and more gTant
and rugged Great peaks two and thre
thousand feet high rose sheer mp at eaci
side of the narrow track. The heavy WING
and rain of the storm had brought dow
much debris, and the road was almost impas
sable III places. They were frequently coni
celled to dsmount aud lead Their horse
We haven't far now, hoysn said the inspect
ar cheerily, as they struggled or; ana h
nointed to a great dark cleft which vaWnet
in front of them between two almost per
pendicular cliffs. They are there" be sais
; cor nowhere" A little higher the road he
came better and their progress was NOR
rapid. A halt was called, guns were IN
slung. and their pistols loosened in thei
belts. for the great gully Of Bluemansdy ke-
the widest Of the whole Tapu range-wa
gaming before them But not a thing wa
10 be seen: all was a3 still as the grave. Th
horses were picketed in a quiet little ravin'
and the whole party crept on or foot, N
! southern sun glared down hot and clear o
, the yellow bracllen and banks Of fern whic
! lined the narrow winding track. Still, NJ
> q sign of life Then came clear low whist
from the two advanced troopers announcin
that something had been discovered, an
the main body hurried up. 1t was spot fl
deeds of blood. On one side of the roa
+ there lowered black gnarlel precipice,- ID
Q the other was the sullen mouth of the ru,
I ced gully. The road took a sharp turn
= this Sp0t. just aU Jne dnele SCNcf"I laI!
E handlers were scattered, lining and owe
y looking the track. II was at this angle TIL
Y q little bed Of mud and trampled red clay b
.okened recent struggle. There could he
< nuestiOn that they were at the scene OF u
murder of the two young miners. II
ouilina of a horse could still be seen in Il
4 soft ground, and the prints of its ho0fs as
4 kicked out in its dcath-agony were plain
marked. Behind one of The rocks were Il
4 tracks Of several feet, and some pistol wa
d ding was found in tuft of ferns. II
:. whole tragedy lay Enclosed before thel
z Two men, carelts, in the pride of their y0n
If and their strength, had swept round tn
Z, fatal curve. Then a crash, q groan, hr
d? tai laugh, the falloping of irighten
Is horse, aud all was over.
n What was to be done now? The roe
a around were explored, but nothing fire
d discovered. Some SIX days had elapsed, Al
IA the birds were apparently flown. T
II party separated and hunted about amo
le the bouiders. Then the American, W
could follow trail like a bloodhouI