Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-10

TAI, powerful, uncOmpTOmlSlng-lOOk
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 approached
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,oiner of state documents turned
round.
"Well, mate, what is it 2"
"Can you oblige me with a pipe of
'baccy?" I asked.
son! yes ;" handing me his pouch.
"What are you doing about here? You
don't look over-brisk. Broke?
Pretty nearly, I replied.
"New arrival, suppose
almost.
All {! there are too many carpet
knights flooding Melbourne. Come out
expecting to make q pile, got disap-
pointed, and don't like tc work for your
grub, Ell? Put screw OF tobacco in
your pocket-you'u find it pleasant COM
pany on the road"
nearly emptied the pouch and
handed it back and, as the owner put
out his hand for it, I slipped my foot be-
hind his heel and pushed him. He
tripped and fell splendidly. was pref
ty quick in wrestling, and I took hold of
the mans throat with my left hand, put
my knees on his chest and with nv
right hand felt in the breast-pocket of
his coat. He struggled violently, but
thought I should succeed. I got my
hand on some papers but, as I was
drawing them from the pocket, the
ruffian got hold Of my right knee-cap
with his left hand, and gave it such ter.
r:ble wrench that I believed he had dis
located the joint. Then feeling my hold
relax, he suddenly hoisted himself with
his right hand, sprang up, caught hold Of
my wrists, and hurried me to the bridge.
Holding NE thus il an iron grip, and
glaring fercely at me, he said:
81 see your game there's only one
way Of dealing with the police. Dead
men tell no tales ; SO over you're going,
youngster."
Suiting his action to the word he re-
leased my hands, and in the same in
slant grasped me firmly and hoisted me.
My last chance seemed to lie in an
old twist I had learned at college. AS
the man raised me, I placed my feet on
the brickwork of the bridge, pushed
myself back with all my strength,
ierked little forward, lowered my
head, and then fairly twisted under my
captor's arm from right to left. My
school experience had saved my life ;
for the man let go his hold with cry
of pain, and quick as thought spraag
upon him.
cts all right, old fellow, take the
papers and read then"
But in the mad excitement of the mo-
ment, and remembering my mission,
thought this surrender was only ruse
on the part of the xudian. He sat down
on the road in themost undignified fash
ion and handed me the papers. The first
one that met my gaze was headed piece
Of polce-ofice paper, on which was
written "This is your test for entering
the force;" and was signed by the Super
intendent.
"Well, young man, said mine enemy,
"you have passed the last exam.-witll
hcnors, You have nearly broken my
wrist. But my horse is at the first road
side hotel. IF you'll come with me I'll
have drink with you, and get some cold
lotion for this sprain. I believe it Will
be case Of splints and sick leave /; but
you have done your work well. Bother
the arm-how it aches y $50 did my
knee.)
The report was satisfactory, and was
appointed permanently. Mr.. Superin-
tendent's test caused me to be sent on
various duties which led me- into many
rough. experiences; but never believed
myself to be so near death as when was
deciding my future with my superior
officer. Journal.