Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-03-30

dropped Hat on the grass and gave
us a warning signal. Advancing
cautiously to his side we peered
through the bushes. Down in hol-
low were six bushrangers seated
around 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 COM
pletely surrounded them. l crept
quietly through the underwood, in
tending to reach tree, which grew
about twenty yards from the fire of
the bushrangers. Suddenly a hand
was laid on my shoulder. I hastily
turned, and saw a tall ranger close
to my side. He grasped me by the
collar, and presented revolver to
my forehead.
'One sound and I'll blow your
brains out, he hlsSed-
. Resistance was useless, so. L SUBJ
mitted. He disarmed me, flung me
on the ground, and fastened my
hands behind me with cord he pull
ed from his pocket. He then went
few yards away to warn the rangers,
| suppose. / beard ringing cheer,
shots, oaths and the usual noise of a
hand-to-hand encounter. Giving q
short and sudden wrench, L got loose
and pushed forward to see the result
of the fight. Just as | advanced |
heard two shots fired simultaneously.
and bullet shaved just by my head.
clapped my hand to my left ear.
Heaven the lobe was shot away.
Another inch and should have been
killed
Rather a close shave, that said
one of the troopers coming forward.
Il just saw the fellow drawing a bead
on you when | dropped him.
| went forward and saw the victo-
~ had been ours. Three of the rang
ers had been shot down, one of them
Mapping Bill. Two were wounded
and lay on the ground, while one had
escaped. Judge Lynch soon settled
the two prisoners.
We recovered all our gold, and
made preparations for our return. We
gave the dead a hasty burial. easing
them, of course, of all valuables, etc.
l found 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 | some weeks later made
a little expedition of our own to a
place in the bush, where we found
quite a collection of nuggets and
dust-the result of many months of
a bushranger's life. AS it was i'm
possible to restore the treasure to its
lawful owners, We were obliged to
keep it. We returned to the camp.
and in consideration of our success.
| fnl efforts, we received a share of the
gold. Some months later | left the
diggings and returned home. married
Mary and settled down here. / ought
to add that / gave the trooper who sc
bravely saved my life an old silver
ring to wear for my sake. / have
never seen him since, but if ever dc
he shall be welcomed as king. Such
gentlemen, is the story of the Lucky
Shot -
The hearty thanks of the company
were voted to Mr.. White for the sto-
ry and the company drank the troop
er's health.
"You never saw him after?" / ask.
ed Mr.. White,
"Never, sir"
Gould you recognize him if you
could see him?' | asked.
Cant say; he may have altered
considerably but should recognize
the ring immediately
''Then is that it? said l, putting
out my right hand, on the little fin
ger of which was the identical ring.
cit is; and you are Jack Fox?"
II am; and [ am exceedingly
glad to see an old friend once more. >
Loud were the exclamations of Joy
at this disclosure. We had fresh
bumpers, and we caroused until the
small hours, fighting our old battles
over again.
| accepted Mr.. Whites invit-
alton to stay with him short
time, and | must admit that / spent
some very happy hours in the "Trav-
eler's Rest