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

voyager. I mentioned my distrust of !
him to my chum, and, in consequence, |
we only sent half of the intended !
quantity. The fellow evidently
knew that l distrusted him, for, as !
went up with our parcel he gave
look that BODIED me no good. The
escort numbered ten or fifteen we'll
armed troopers, with a four-horse
wagon, and they left early in the
morning for their destination. We
gave them three rousing cheers at the
boundaries of the camp and wished
them safe return. [ had singu-
lar foreboding that | had seen the
last of my gold, but [ mentioned my
fears to none but my chum.
The following day went to Mat
.purn's drinking hut-a place fre
quented by loafers-to hear the days
news. The saloon was full of dig
gers. Some were discussing the days
find others were playing poker, the
stakes being nuggets and fine dust;
the majority were standing at the bar
drinking and smoking. l called for
a drink, filled short Guilty, and took
a seat among the card players.
We'll, Tom, how's your luck"
said a road-shouldered Yorkshire
man who had come over with me.
Very poor at present. | replied.
Have hand, then, man; win
ming dust at poker is better than dig
ging.'
I joined the game and played for
a while. At last one of the players
threw up his hand and said he was
cleaned out; so, thinking it might be
my turn soon, 1 stopped. l finished
my glass and prepared to leave the
room. just as l got to the door a
burly digger came rushing in, almost
upsettlng me, and uttering the most
frightful oaths. The entire saloon
was in an uproar in an instant. Re-
volvers and knives were drawn and a
dozen voices shouted out, What's
the matter?
Matter enough' ? cried the invad-
ing digger with another vclley of ex-
pletives. The escort has been at
tackled and the gold is gonep
Words fail to describe the scene
that ensued. Men swore, tore their
hair, danced and raved like madmen.
When the tumult was somewhat sub
dued l managed to make out that the
wagon had been attacked in the dead
of night by party of armed rangers.
A fight had taken place, not troop
er had been killed and the gold had
been taken.
s. The attack was evidently pre-ar-
ranged, for half the troopers had
been drugged and were consequently
unable to fight. Three of them were
reported missing. Mapping Bill
amongst the number. / went out to
our tent and told Sandy. You're
right about the villain, but we'll be
even with him yet
We went back to the saloon where
we found nearly all the diggers as
sembled listening to an account OF
the affair from one of the troopers.
1t appeared that shortly after leaving
the camp the axletree broke. neces-
stating stoppage. Night came on
and found them still delayed by the
broken wagon. Rain fell, and some
of the troopers took a little spirits to
keep out the cold. About midnight
the troopers who were acting as SEN
tinels were alarmed by the rush of
half dozen mounted bushran gers.
They endeavored to wake mp the 9th
ers, but they were overpowered and
fastened to the trees. The contents
of the wagon were divided among the
gang, and they soon rode off, fol-
lowed by Mapping Bill and the three
troopers. In the morning the bound
troopers managed to awaken the 9th
ers by their cries, and then it was
found by their condition that the
spirits must have been drugged-
hence their inability to offer any re-
sistance.
We held hasty council and decid-
ed to send to 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 trackers to point out the trail.
Luckily l managed to be enrolled
among the party, much to my salts
! faction. / had score to settle with
Wrapping Bill, and / intended to give
a good account of him if we met. We
numbered twenty resolute, well-armed
fellows, carrying revolvers and knives,
whilst the twelve troopers with us
had rifles in addition.
We proceeded first to the place of
the 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 In
dian file. Our progress was neces-
sarily slow, but we were quite certain
of coming up with the rangers at last.
We followed the blacks for couple
of hours, then one of them set up a
warning cry, and we rushed forward.
In the center of an open glade we
saw the body of man laid upon the
ground. Scattered about were bits
OF canvas and grains of gold glitter
| ing in the grass. Examining the body,