Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-02-13

o1her two passengers, my turn coming
f4st, for the reason think. that the
robbers detected my intention to avail
eSyself of the slightest relaxation of
1atchfulness on their part TO make
ldden and determined resistance. an
Etention certainly had, but which
Eas effectually frustrated by the close
mention paid me by him of the two
treyolvers.
I Being all aboard, the first bush
ranger took the reins. the other keep
ing guard over us with the dreaded
weapons, and we found ourselves
being hurried away in the direction of
the Geelong sands. Arrived there the
quondam car-driyer alighted, deliber-
ately embarrassed the horses, and we
were one by ole assisted from the car
and bound, some to the wheels. others
TO the pole Of the car. "spread-eagle
fashion The robbers now proceed
~ to rifle our pockets Of everything
valuable, and next to open the mail
bags, conliscating numerous letters
containing notes, and wantonly des-
troying valueless ones (from their
point of yiew,) Having taken every
thing which they could, without risk
- discovery. turn into money, they
IxTepared to depart. each one taking a
Es2rse, and were speedily out of sight
4 " delight at being thus left without
iceiving bodily harm was soon chang
xsto alarm far more serious than any
Aad yet experienced for we be-
P aware of fearful peril hitherto,
excitement of the occasion, over
- 4 by us all. The tide was rising
y, and would shortly, without
engulf us So tightly were we
that struggling was unavailable,
rlly rendered us more miserable,
- Oh Nctllb TIC WhbClcs uu I'll nOW
hgain a large wave would actually
0h our feet. Oh, horror who but
ourselves can imagine the torture of
watching those relentless waves which
were to drown us, surely, surely?
Niles away from any "track," we were
hot likely to be heard by man. The
brds seemed to mock our misery, as they
gally flew over our heads, chattering
% each other and enjoying the liberty
fE which we would have given az we
+ )ssessed. Shouting was evid v
useless. Yet we shouted, screamed,
yelled frantically. think I was some
what the calmest, and tried to console
and soothe the others with the thought
that the water might not rise sufii-
GENTLY high to overwhelm us entirely
but, being considerably taller than
my companions in distress, they re-
ceived this suggestion as sort of
CHASTITY joke, and laughed bitter
&ugh. Water all around us rising.
Prising 1t was but too evident
pur worst fears were soon to be
led. With one thought of the
old home in England, with all
eloyed relatives wondering some
Thy did not return or at least
e; one prayer to my God and l
up all hope ut--hush! what
II tSe hear human voices, singing?
delirium? No, it comes nearer
I'd nearer. Oh, joy! boat is round
$pg the small promontory to our right,
xad we distinctly hear the voices of
Several young men singing. We shout
once more. They evidently see us.
but do not appear to understand our
position. Help we cry again, and
are answered. They quickly arrive
and help to free us from our bonds.
Instinctively we throw ourselves
down on our knees and thank Al
mighty God for so remarkable a de-
liverance. Then we consult upon the
best course to take, with the result
that l take one of the remaining
horses and the car driver the other, he
going towards Melbourne and to
GeelOng.
1t was an uncomfortable ride
enough, | assure you. Wet through,
excited, mounted on raw-boned.
bare-backed coach horse, which STUN
bled about. threatening to fall with
me at every few yards. Yet the feel
ing of relief from my recent perilous
position was so great that l forgot my
discomfort and urged on my blunder-
ing steed until arrived at Geelong.
had not been idle during my ride
Inc fresh air had braced up my
nerves, and l had begun to think what
clue had to the robbers. They were
evidently made up" and wore blouses,
so that | could not tell whether thew
were stout or spare. Moreover, they
had on Grape masks. Suddenly 1 re-
membered that while one of them was
investigating the mail bags on his
knees, with his back towards me. l
mad seen that his boots were "sprigged"
with copper "spriggs" or nails in a
peculiar manner. Here, thought l,
is clue" and determined to follow
u up. accordingly sought the Chief
inspector of Police and explained the
circumstances to him. He, knowing
me IN my official capacity, placed one
u MS men at my service, with whom
proceeded to several bootmakers and
inquired whether they had any know
! leu0H of cn0h hot