Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-05

escort, my shock-headed fellow
voyager. [ mentioned my distrust of
him to my chum, and in consequence
we only sent half Of the intended
quantity. The fellow evidently knew
distrusted him, for when I went up
with our parcel he gave malicious
look that bode me 40 good. The
escort numbered ten or fifteen, well
armed troopers, with a four-horse
wagon, and they left early in the
morning for their destination. We
gave them three ringing cheers at the
boundaries of the camp, and wished
them a safe return. I had singular
foreboding that had seen the last of
my gold, but mentioned my fears to
none but my chum.
The day following ] went to Mat
Durn's drinking hut-a place ire
quented by the lucky finders and
| loafers-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 majority wera
standing at the bar drinking I'D
smoking. I called for drink, filed
a short Guilty, and took seat among
the card players.
" Well, Tom, how's your luck2'
said broad shouldered Y orkshireman
| who had come over with me.
Very poor at present, replied.
"'Have q hand then, man; win
ming dust at poker is better than dig
ging."
Il joined the game and played for
awhile. At last one of the players
threw up his hand and said he was
cleaned out; SO, thinking it might be
my turn soon. [ stopped. I finished
my glass and prepared to leave the
room. Just as I got to the door a
bully digger came rushing in, almost
upsetting me, and Uttering the most
frightfuI oaths. The entire saloon
was in an uprOar in sn instant Re
volvers and knives were drawn and a
dozen voices shouted out: What's the
matter?',
"'Matter enough : cried the invad-
ing digger, with another volley of
xpletlves. The escorts been attacked
and the gold is gone
Words fail TO describe the scene
that ensaed. Men swere, tore their
! hair, Danced and raved like madmen.
| When the tumult was somewhat sub
dued I 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 was evidently
prearranged, for half of the troopers
had been drugged, and consequently
were unable to fight. Three of them
were reported missing, Wrapping Bill
among the numb Der. [ went to our
tent and told Sandy. You're right
about the villain, but we'll be even
with him yet
eve went back to the saloon, where
we found nearly all the diggers as
sembled, listening to an account of
the affair from one of the troopers. It
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
some Of the troopers took little spir-
it's to keep cut the cold. About mid
night the troopers whe were acting as
sentries were alarmed by the rush of
half a 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 a hasty council and de-
cided to send to a station four Males
away for fresh troopers. By means
OF 81 feet messenger a 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. I had
s. score to settle with Wrapping Bull
and l intended to give a good account
OF him If we met. We numbered
twenty resolute, well armed fellows,
carrying revolvsrs and knives, while
the twelve troopers with us had rifles
in addition.
1--WE 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
Ia the center Of an open glade we saw
the body OF a man laid upon the
ground. Scattered around were bits
canvas, and grains of gold glitte,iag
in the grass. Examining the body,
we recognized it to be 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 a dispute had