Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-02-06

uldlIcJE
"'Maiter enough = cried the invad-
ing 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 sub
dued managed to make out that the
wagon had been attacked in the dead
of night by a party of armed rangers.
A. fight had taken place, not trooper
had been killed, and the gold had been
taken. The attack was evidently
prearranged, for half of the troopers
mad been drugged, and consequently
were unable to fight. Three OF them
were reported missing, Mapping Bill
among the number. | went to our
tent and told Sandy. You're right
about the villain, but we'll be even
with him yet
1--WE went back 10 the saloon, where
We found nearly all the diggers as
sembled, listening TO an account OF
the affair from one Of the troopers. 1t
appeared that shortly after leaving the
camp the axletree Of the wagon broke
necessitating a stoppage. Night came
on and found them still delayed by
the broken wagon. Rain fell, and
soma of the troopers took little spir
its to keep cut the cold. About mid
night the troopers who were acting as
sentries were alarmed by the rush OF
half dozen mounted bushrangers.
They attempted to wake up the others
but they were overpowered and fast
ened TO the trees. The contents of
wagon were divided among the gang,
and they soon rode off, followed by
Mapping Bill 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 resistance.
I'VE held q hasty council and de-
cided TO send to station four miles
away for fresh troopers. BY means
of feet 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 Wrapping Bill
and intended to give a good account
of him If we met. We numbered
twenty resolute, well armed fellows,
carrying revolvers and knives, while
the twelve troopers with us had rifles
in addition.
eve proceeded first to the place OF
encounter. We found the wagon
drawn off the track and overturned.
The black tracker soon took up the
trail and we went into the bush in In
dian file. Our progress 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 a
warning cry, and we rushed forward.
In the center of IN open glade we saw
the body of man laid upon the
ground. Scattered around were bits
canvas, and grains of gold glittefing
in the grass. Examining the body,
we recognized it to be a person some
of us had seen hanging about the
camp for few days previous to the
starting of the escort. A small blue
hole in his forehead told what had
happened. Evidently dispute had
arisen among the rangers, and this
poor fellow had been shot for his
obstinacy Weagain took up the trail
and proceeded The bush became
now less dense and we made
greater progress. About mile fur
Their on one of the blacks, who was
some hundreds yards ahead, suddenly
dropped fiat on tAe grass and gave us
a warning signal. Advancing eau
tiously to his side, we peered through
the bushes Down in hollow were
six bushrangers, seated around a small
fire. Their horses were tethered near
them, and various packages were scat
tered about. Our plans were soon laid.
We made a detOur and completely
surrounded them. | crept quietly
through the underwood, intending to
reach tree, which grew about twenty
Suddenly a hand was laid on my
shoulder. | hastily tur1ed, and saw
tall ranger close 10 my side. He
grasped me by the collar and present.
ed a revolver to my forehead.
Zone sound and I'll blow your
brains out, he Missed.
Resistance was useless, so l sub
mitted. He disarmed me; flung me
on the ground, aud fastened my
hands behind me with cord he pull
cd from his pocket. He then went a
few yards away to warn the rangers,
| suppose. / heard a ringing cheer,
shots, oaths, and the usual noise OF Il
hand to hand encounter. Giving a
short and sudden wrench | got loose
and pushed forward to see the result
of the fight. Just as | advanced /
heard two shots fired almost stimuli
taneously, and bullet shaved just
my head. | ciapped my hand to my
left ear. Heaven the lobe was shot
away. Another inch and | should
have been killed.
"'Rather close shave, that, said
one of the troopers, coming forward,
1 just saw the fellow drawing bead
on YOU when | dropped him
Il went forward aud found the
victory had been ours. Three of the
rangers hal been shot down, one of
them Mapping Bill. Two were wound
ed and lay on the ground, while one
had escaped. Judge Lynch soon set
tied the two prisoners.
we recovered all our gold and
made preparations for our return.
We gave the dead a hasty burial,
casing them. of course, Of all valu-
aNles, etc. found a pocket book on
the body of my would be slayer, and
from it ] cleaned full account of the
gang From information therein
contained Sandy and l some weeks
later made Il little expedition OF our
own to place in the bush, where we
found quite n collection Of nuggets
and dust-the result of many months
of n bushranger's life. AS it was i'm
possible to restore the treasure to It's
lawful owners, We were obliged to
keep it.
I'VE returned to the camp, and, in
consideration of Our successful efforts
we received a share of the gold. Some
months later / left the diggings and
returned home, married Mary, and
settled down here. l ought to add
that gave the trooper who SO brave
ly saved my life an old silver ring to
wear for my sake. have never seen
him since; but if l ever do, he shall
6e welcomed as king. Such, gentle
men, is the story of the Lucky
Shot. >"
Thn l,oo... .l,..l- g a., 49,. .....--