Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-04

A True story of Early Australian Days


1t is some years ago since the Bench O
Magistrates in an Australian Colony wa
reinforced by the appointment OF Majo
Hector Mornington, late of the--tl
Light Infantry, who, like many othe
persons, had been attracted to the new
country in the far South, by the cheap
ness Of its broad acres. At the time o
Major Morningtcn's arrival, the countr,
was ringing with the dreaded fame of
man who had adopted the fantastic ap
pellation of BLACK Robin" He was thu
leader of a gang, and his successful dar
ing had rendered lis name the terror o
all the housewives, us it was secretly tn,
wonder and delight of all the convict la
borers. He seemed ubiquitous her,
one day, and miles away the next ire
sistible, too, for all succumbed TO the
bold freebootcr's demands. He appear
ed to have moulded his conduct accord
ing to the traditions of these famous
highwaymen of Old. in whose steps he
desired to walk cultivated reputation
for fantastic chivalry to women, and for o
kind of capricious generosity !; and prided
himself on never using fatally the fire.
arms he always carried, and on keeping
his hand unstained by bloodshed. Other
idle and unprincipled young men have
mapped ont similar programme fol
themselves since the days of Black Rob.
i'll but generally the sequel turns out
very different from their first purpose.
The hand may be withheld from the stain
Of blood fora time, while all goes on
smoothly; but when danger thickens, or
pireuit grows hot, or when greed cannot
he satisfied without violence, the crime
OF thtit is soon allied to that Of murder.
Gee II est que ic premier pas qni coute. "
But Black Robin still stood on the
brink Of that fatal Rubicon of blood,
which he would surely cross some day,
ANA thus halt conscious admiration of his
buld!!c.s mingled still with the associa-
tiohs ct terror that chung to his name.
His exploits We're in every mans mouth,
and his astonishing activity gave people
enough TO talk of. One day it was the
mail coach, with its freight of passen-
gers and treasure, that had been attacked.
Every man had been mulctedin his watch
and purse, while the lady travellers had
escaped scot-free, with reassuring words
from the Captain Of the gang. Another
day the police III pursuit of them were
surrounded and disarmed in a bloodless
fray. And again-boldest of all-six
stalwart fellows, in short black masks,
who could be none other than Robins
troop, had intruded at harvest dance
where they had levied blackmail ON the
men, and with insolent audacity had spun
round the room in dance with the pref
tiest Of the girls, before they vanished
again into the night and darkness, swift
ly as they had come, none knew whence
xvhifhar II tnn had
waited in trembling expectation, wonder
ing what would happen next.
When the district magistrates met
last and impudent achievement, long
measures which should be adopted for
the capture of the gang
Much indignation was expressed at the
pusillanimity of the men in general, and
of the police in particular, by persons
who had been lucky enough hitherto to
escape any chance encounter with the
bushrangers. No one reprobated their
conduct more forcibly than the new mag
istrate, Major Mornington, who, accus-
toned to the more expeditions course of
Justice in the long-settled countries of
the Old World, was not disposed to make
sufficient allowances for the difficulties
attending its administration in wide,
sparsely-populated districts.
1.-THE sympathy that crime meets with
IN this country is scandalous !" he ex-
claimed, with vehemence. at is q blot
and disgrace to the community. The po-
lice, I'll swear, are in league with these
blackguards, or they are all towards. It's
a crying. shame that a gang like that
should thrive among us, and that their
necks should have escaped the halter 80
long"
Eyes very true" replied an older col
onist composedly, "but we are doing our
best to catch them. And fellows like
these nre confoundedly difficult to get
hold Of"
by George wish had the chance
of coming face to face with them. = I'd
make short work of Master Robin and his
crew, if they were to cross my path |!
Lord to think Of those young fellows al
lowing the robbers TO take their partners
from them What stuff are your young
men made Of here ?"
"You forget that they were unarmed,
and the bushrangers carried a revolver
apiece" said the other magistrate, quiet
ly.
"Tut-tut Want of pluck-want of
pluck p sneered the Major "All thieves
are towards at henIt. Show them bold
front and they will fly from you"
Il doubt that, if the thief has load
ed pistol and you have nome" remarked
another Of the party. "But we will wish
you better success than we have had
hitherto, Major Mornineton and /, for
ont, shall be traly glad if We owe the
capture Of Einck Robin to your co-ope-
ration"
1--WE shall zee, sir. do not anticipate
that after fighting her M0iesty's battles
with credit, am come here to be worsted
by parcel Of common highwaymen,"
was the grandiloquent reioindcr.