The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-01-30


their destination. We gave them three
ringing cheers at the boundaries of the
camp, and wished them safe return. |
had a singular forboding that had seen
the last OF my gold, but mentioned my
fears to none but my chum.
"Thc day following l went to Mat
DuIn's drinking .hut-a place frequented
by the lucky finders and loafcrs-to hear
the days news. The saloon was full of
diggers. Some were discussing the days
finds; others were playing poker, the
stakes being nuggets of dust; the major
ity were standing at the bar drinking
and smoking. l called for a drink,
filled a short Guilty, and took seat
among the card players.
"Well, Tom, how's your luck?" said
broad shouldered Yorkshireman who
had come over with me.
"'Ncry poor at present, I replied.
"'lIave hand then, man; winning
dust at poker is better than digging.
81 joined the game and played while.
At last one of the players threw up his
hand and said he was cleaned ont; so,
thinking it might be my turn soon, |
stopped. l finished my glass and pre-
to the door a burly digger came rushing
in, almost upsettiDg me, and uttered the
most frightful oaths. The entire saloon
was in an uproar in an instant Revolvers
and knives were drawn, and a dozen
voices shouted out, Whats the matter. =
Matter enough! cried the invading
digger, with another volley Of explosives
The escorts been attacked, and the gold
is gone!
Words fail to describe the scene
that ensued. Men swore, tore their hair,
danced and raved like madmen. When
the tumult was somewhat subsidized, |
managed to make out that the wagon
had been attacked in the dead of night,
by party of armed rangers. a fight
had taken place, not a trooper had
been killed, and the gold had been
taken. The attack had evidently been
arranged, for half the troopers had
been drugged, and were consequently
unable to fight. Three of them were re-
ported missing, Mapping Bill among
the number. | went off to our tent and
told Sandy. You're right about the
villain, but we'll be even with him yet
I'VE went back to the saloon. where
We found nearly all the diggers assem-
bled listening to an account of the affair
from one of the troopers. l. appeared
that shortly after leaving the camp the
aXlctree of the wagon broke, neces-
stating a stoppagc. Night came on and
found them still delayed by the broken
wagon. Rain fell and some Of the troop
ers took a little spirits to keep out the
cold. About midnight the troopers who
were acting as scntries were alarmed by
the rush of half dozen mounted bush
rangers They erdeavored to wake up
the others, but they were overpowered
and fastened to the trees. The contents
of the wagon were divided among the
gang, and they soon rode off followed by
Mapping Hill and the three troopers. In
the morning the bound troopers managed
to awake the Others by their cries, and
then it was found by their condition
that the spirits must have been drugged,
hence their inability to offer any resist
ance.
'We held a hasty council and decided
to send to Il station four miles away for
fresh troopers. BY means of fleet
messenger search party was organized,
and they left the camp two hours later,
preceded by the black crackers to point
out the trail. Luckily | managed to be
enrolled among the party, much TO my
satisfaction. | had a score to settle with
Mapping Bill and intended to give a
good account of him if we met. We
numbered twenty resOlute, well armed
fellows, carrying rcyolvers and knives,
while the twelve troopers with us had
rifles in addition.
owe proceeded first to the place of
encounter. We found the wagon drawn
off the track and overturned. The black
trackcr soon took up the trail and we went
into the bush in Indian file. Our prog
rcss was necessarily slow, but we were
quite certain of coming up with the
rangers at last. We followed the blacks
for couple of hours, then one Of them
set up warning cry, and we rushed for
ward. In the center of an open glade
we saw the body of a man laid upon the
ground. Scattered around were bits OF
canvas and grains of gold gIittered in
the grass. Examining the body we rec
ogLized it to be a person some of us had
seen hanging about the camp for few
days previous to the starting of the
escort. y small blue hole in his forehead
told what had happened. Evidently {
dispute had arisen among the rangers
and this poor fellow had been shot fol
his obstinacy. Weagain took up the trai
and proceeded. The bush now became
less dense, and we made greater progress
About mile further on one of the blacks
who was some hundred yards ahead
suddenly dropped flat on the grass, anC
gave us a warning signal. Advancing
cautiously to his side, we pccred through
the bushes. Down in hollow were sly
bushrangels, seated around small fire
Their horses were tethcrcd near them, anC
various packages were scattered about
our plans were soon laid. We made
dctour and completely surrounded them
crcpt quietly through the underwood
intending to reach a tree, which gre
about twenty yards from the fire of the
bushraugers suddenly hand was laiC
on my shoulder. hastily turned anC
saw tall ranger close by my side. II,
grasped me by the collar, and presented
a revolver to nv forehead