The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-02-18

were acting as ~sentries were alarmed by
the rush of half q dozen mounted bush.
rangers. They e,.deavored to wake up
the others, but they were overpowered
and fastened to the trees. The contents
of the wagon were divided among the
gang, and they soon rode off followed by
Mapping Hill 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 any resist
ance.
1--WE held a hasty council and decided
to send to a station four miles away for
fresh troopers. BY means of a fleet
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 l managed to be
enrolled among the party, much 10 my
satisfaction. l had a score 10 settle with
Mapping Bill and l intended to give a
good account of him if we met. We
numbered twenty resolute. well armed
fellows. carrying rcvolvcrs 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 Indian file. Our prog
rcss was necessarily slow, but we were
quite certain of coming up with the
rangers at last. We followed the blacks
for Il couple of hours, then II Of them
set up a warning cry, and we rushed for,
ward. In the center of an open glade
we saw the body of a man laid upon the
ground. Scattered around were bits OF
canvas and grains of gold & Uttered in
the grass. Examining the body we rec
ogLized it to be a person some of us had
seen hanging about the camp for a few
| days previous to the starting of the
escort. A small blue hole in his forehead
told what had happened. Evidently II
| dispute had arisen among the rangers
and this poor fellow had been shot for
his obstinacy. We again took up the trail
and proceeded. The bush now became
less dense. and We made greater progress.
About q mile further on one of the blacks,
who was some hundred yards ahead,
suddenly dropped fiat on the grass, and
gave US a warning signal. Advancing
cautiously to his side, we pecrcd through
the bushes. Down in a hollow were six
bushrangers, seated around a small fire.
Their horses were tethcred neal them, and
various packages were scattered about.
Our plans were soon laid. We made a
dctour and completely surrounded them.
I crept quietly through the underwood,
intending to reach a tree, which gre y
about twenty yards from the fire of the
bushrangcrs. Suddenly a hand was laid
on nv shoulder. hastily turned and
saw a tall ranger close by my side. He
grasped me by the collar, and presented
a revolver to my forehead.
"'One sound and I'll blow your brains
out he Kissed.
Resistance was useless, so I submit
ted. He disarmed me, flung me or the
ground and fastened my hands behind
me with a cord he pulled from his pock-
CT. He then went . few yards away to
warn the rangers, l suppose. heard d
ringing cheer, shots, oaths, and the
usual noise of a hand-to hand encounter.
Giving a short and sudden wrench l got
loose and rushed forward to see the re.
suit of the fight. Just as advanced |
heard two shots fired almost simultan-
eously, and a bullet Just shaved my head.
i clapped my hand on my left ear.
Heaven. the lobe was shot away. An
other inch and l should have been killed.
"'Rather a narrow shave, that, said
one of the troopers, coming forward. 4
just saw the fellow drawing a bead on
you when l dropped him.
81 went forward and found the victory
had been ours. Three of the rangers
had been shot down, one of them Wap-
ping Bill. Two were wounded. and lay
on the ground, whilst one had escaped.
Judge Lynch soon settled the two iris
oners.
1--WE recovered all our gold and made
preparations for our return. We gave
the dead a hasty burial, easing them Of
course, Of all valuablcs. etc. l found a
pockctbook on the body of my would-be
s aver, and from it CLEANED a full account
of the gang. From information therein
contained Sandy and l some weeks later
made a little expedition of our " to a
place in the bush. where we found quite
a collection of nuggets and dust-thc
result of many months of q bushranger's
life. AS it WAS impossible to restore the
treasure to its lawful owners we were
obliged to keep it. We returned to the
camp, and, in consideration of our sue
cessful efforts. We received Il share of the
gold. Some months later | left the
diggings, and returned home, married
Mary, and settled down here. ] ought
to add that l gave the trooper
who so bravely saved my life
an old silver ring to wear for my sake.
l have never seen him since; but if ever
l do, he shall be welcomed US a king.
Such, gentleman, is the story of the
Lucky Shot"
The hearty thanks IF the company
were devoted to Mr.. White for his story,
and the company drank the troopers
health.
"You neves saw him aftcrl" I asked
Mr.. White.
"Nevcr, SIR"
Gould YOU recognize him if you were
to see him." l asked.
ant say; he may have altered con-
sidcrably; but should recognize the
ring immediately
1Then is that it2" said I, putting out
my right hand, on the little finger Of
which was the identical ring.
at is; and you are Jack Fox2"
81 am; and I am exceedingly glad to
meet an old friend once more"
Loud were the eXclamalions of JOY at
this disclosure. accepted Mr.. Whites
invitation to stay with him for a short
time, and I must admit that Ispent some
very happy hours in "Thc Travellers
Rest"