Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-02-28
"BAlL UP, THERE"
A Thrilling Experience in the Austria
lian Bush.
Jaye Kaye, in Detroit Free Press.

lian Bush.
Jaye Kaye, In Detroit Free Press.
In 18- / was Deputy Governor o
Melbourne Gaol, and, upon one occa
sion having important business which
called me to Geelong, booked my
place on the mail-car, which was tbs
only public conveyance available, anC
took my seat on the box ON one o
those deliciously balmy mornings Sc
common in that country but little ex
perienced here.
There were but three passengers, the
car-driver and guard, and we ratified
along at brisk pace, conversing free
ly upon various topics. Among others
the Vexed question of "Free Trade VS.
Protection" supplied US with ample
materials for animated discussion
Being a staunch radical in politics ]
was eloquent in favor of the former
and. dllated freely upon the numerous
advantages enjoyed by the "old coun-
try" in Consequence thereof, winding
up my peroration by standing up
waving my pocket handkerchief and
shouting at the top of my voice, "free
trade forever" when bang ping !
pingi- What could be the matter ?
We were not kept long in suspense
for two men suddenly emerged from
the bush with the cry which sent u
thrill of horror to the heart OF many q
traveller in these regions, "Bail up,
therep which is equivalent to the old
highwaymen's challenge, "Your money
or your life" The car driver mechan
ically pulled up his horses, evidently
fearing a repetition of the revolver
practice, which might not prove SO
harmless as the first, but /, perhaps
more from long acquaintance with the
class of men by whom we were as
SAILED than from indifference to dan
ger, seized the reins and whip from
the paralyzed driver and lashed the
horses into a furious gallop. ping
ping" went the bullets most unpleas-
antly close to our ears; however, we
were getting well beyond their reach,
and every bound of the infuriated ami
mails carried us further from danger,
when to our dismay, one of the wheel
ers stumbled badly, and was by reason
of the. great speed at which we were
going unable to regain his footing, and
after a short but desperate struggle,
fell heavily. We FASTENED to dis
mount in hopes of getting the poor
animal upon his legs and starting
again before the robbers could come
up with us, but we were disappointed,
for we were soon overtaken by them.
The first, powerful man, seized me
roughly by the throat, and presenting
a revolver to my head, coolly informed
me that, upon my making the slightest
resistance, he would blow out my
brains, and, suddenly releasing me
from his iron grasp, he, still keeping
the revolver to my head, drew another
with his disengaged hand and "coyer-
ed" my companions generally with 1T.
with the remark that his friend would
now proceed to business" at the same
time loosely lntimating that probably
my political opinions had undergone
q sudden change, and that | might
want little protection" which pleas
antry, being SO much to the point,
the serious aspect of
affairs, caused a general laugh at my
expense. Business" was speedily pro-
ceeded with by bushranger No. 2 bind
ing the car-driver and guard, whom
he then assisted to mount the car, after
which he performed similar kind oi-
fees for the other two passengers, my
turn coming last, for the reason, |
think, that the robbers detected my
to avail myself of the slight
est relaxation of watchfulness ON their
part to make sudden and determined
resistance, an intention | certainly
had, but which was effectually frustra-
ted by the close attention paid me by
him OF the two revolvers.
Being all aboard, the first bushran-
ger took the reins, the other keeping
guard over us with the dreaded weap-
Ons, and we found ourselves being
hurried away in the direction of the
Geelong sands. Arrived there the
luondam car-driver alighted, deliber-
ately embarrassed the horses, and we
we're one by one assisted from the car
and bound, some to the wheels, others
to the pole of the car, "spread-eagle
fashion," The robbers now proceeded
TO rife our pockets of everything val
liable, and next to open the mail bags,
numerous letters contain
ing notes and wantonly destroying
valueless ones (from their point OF
view). Having taken everything which
they could, without risk of discovery
turn into money, they prepared to
depart each one taking horse and
we're speedily out of sight Our de-
light at being thus left without receiv-
ng bodily harm was changed to alarm
lar more serious than any we had yet
for we became aware of
fearful peril hitherto in the excitement
Of the occasion, overlooked by us all.
The tide was rising rapidly, and would
shortly, without doubt, engnlf Us. So
lightly were we bound that struggling
was unavailable, and only rendered us
more miserable On and on came the
waters, until now and again Il large
wave would actually touch our feet
Oh, horror! who but ourselves can
imagine the torture of watching those
relentless waves which were to drown
is, slowly, surelyI Miles away from
my atrack," we we're nGt likely to be
heard by man. The birds seemed to
mock our misery as they gaily flew
over our heads, chattering to each 9TH
,r and enjoying the liberty for which
We would have given all we possessed.
Shouting was evidently useless. Yet
We shouted, screamed, yelled frantic
lily. / think | was somewhat the
,almest and tried TO console and soothe
ne Gthers with the thlpght that the
water might not rise sufficiently high
10 ovePWhelm us entirely, but being
taller than my compan-
ons in distress, they received this
as a sort of CHASTITY joke and
aughed a bitter laugh. Water all
us rising, still rising! 1t was
out too evident that our worst fears
we're soon to be realized. With one
thought of the dear old home in Eng
and, with all my beloved relatiFps
some day why l did nat
ieturn or at least write; one prayer to
ny God and give up all hope-hut-
lush what do we hear human voices
singing Is it delirium No, it comes
nearer and nearer. oh, JOY! boat is
the small promontory TO
,ur right, and we distinctly hear the
loices of several young men singing
We shout once more. They evidently
zee ps, but do not appeaF to under
'tand our position. Helpi we cry
gain, and are answered. They quick
y arrived and helped to free US from
our bonds.
Instinctively we throw ourselves
iown On our knees and thank Al
mighty God for so remarkable deliv-
.rance. Then we consult nnnn the