The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-02-05


performed similar kind offices for the
other two passengers, my turn coming
last, for the reason think, that the
robbers detected my intention to avail
myself of the slightest relaxation of
watchfulness on their part to make a
sudden and determined resistance, an
intention I certainly had, but which
was effectually frustrated by the close
attention paid me by him of the two
revolvers.
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-driver alighted, deliber-
ately embarrassed the horses. and we
were one by ole assisted from the gar
and bound, some to the wheels, others
to the pole of the car. "spread-eagle
fashion" The robbers now proceed
ed to rifle our pockets of everything
valuable, and next to open the mail
bags, contscating numerous letters
containing notes, and wantonly des-
troying valueless ones (from their
point of view.) Having taken every
thing which they could, without risk
of discovery, turn into money, they
prepared to depart, each one taking a
horse, and were speedily out of sight.
Our delight at being thus left without.
receiving bodily harm was soon chang
ed to alarm far more serious than any
we had yet experienced, for we be-
came aware of fearful peril hitherto,
in the excitement of the occasion, over
looked by us all. The tide was rising
rapidly, and would shortly, without
doubt, engulf us. So tightly were we
bound that struggling was unavailable,
and only rendered us more miserable,
On and on came the waters, until now
and again large wave would actually
touch our feet. Oh, horror who but
ourselves can imagine the torture of
watching those relentless waves which
We're to drown us, surely. surely ?
Miles away from any "track," we were
not likely to be heard by man. The
birds seemed to mock our misery, ,as they
gaily few over our heads, chattering
to each other and enjoying the liberty
for which we would have given all we
possessed. Shouting was evidently
useless. Yet we shouted, screamed,
yelled frantically. think Twas some
what the calmest, and tried to console
and soothe the others with the thought
that the water might not rise sutfi-
GENTLY high to overwhelm us entirely
but, l being considerably taller than
my companions in distress, they re-
ceived this suggestion as a sort of
CHASTITY joke, and laughed bitter
laugh. Water all around US rising,
still rising 1t was but too evident
that our worst fears were soon to be
realized. With one thought of the
dear old home in England, with all
my beloved relatives wondering some
day why did not return or at least
write: one prayer to my God and
gave up all hope-but--hush! what
do we hear! human voices, singing
Is it delirium? No, it comes nearer
and nearer. Oh, joy! boat is round
ing the small promontory to our right,
and 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. Helpl 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 1 to
Geelong.
1t was an uncomfortable ride
enough, assure you. Wet through,
excited, mounted on a w-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.
The fresh air had braced up my
nerves. and had begun to think what
clue had to the robbers They were
evidently made up" and wore blouses,
so that could not tell whether they
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, /
had seen that his boots were "sprigged'
with copper "spriggs' or nails in a
peculiar manner. Here, thought /,
sis clue" and determined to follow
it up. accordingly sought the Chief
Inspector of Police and explained the
circumstances to him. He, knowing
me in my official capacity, placed one
of his men at my ser ,ice, with whom
/ proceeded to several bootmakers and
| manfred whether thev had any know