Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-07-05

He had never heard OF the enthusiasm
| Of humanity expression WAS not in
fash on in his day, and, II IL had been,
doubt whether he would have understood
| it, for he was only an Australian stock
rider a Sydney cornstalkn born, who had
never read book in his life except the
Bible, and perhaps not very much OF that.
and WAS more familiar with bush craft
and horsemsnship than with abstract
principles of any sort. Yet, IL actions
prove anything, the thing which that IA
nous phrase has come 10 stand for was not
altogether unknown to him.
II was in Van Dieman's land-we hadn't
heard Of Tasmania in those days-that
made Jack Hepburn's acquaintance. At
that time he was in the employ OF my
friend Allardyce on the Emu plains. and
nAd been SO for about two years
the only free stockman on the run. Al
iardyce-himself one of the finest fellows
that ever stepped unbounded conf
dence in him and looked TO him as a sort
# sheet anchor in the midst OF the endless
LrOu bles and annOyances arising out OF
,upply OF convict labor He was u tough, ),
muscular black bearded fellow, trifie
over six feet, and fairly good, looking; ac-
tive in his movements but slow and very
spRring of his speech, and not particu
.arly remarkable for anything unless 1t
were his scrupulous honesty and strict
Lruthfulness.
had left the colony when the incident
happened which | am about to relate. |
heard various accounts OF it afterwards,
and the substance of them, as nearly as
can give it, is pretty much as follows:
There were four of them in the bush at
the hut known as "Dicey's," one clear
January evening. Dicey, the hut keeper
a grIzzled old sinner, popularity re
ported to have been one of the
first arrivals in Sydney, though
nave reason to believe that this is
incorrect was busy cooking inside;
Jack Hepburn sat on a stump q little way
rom the door, plating a new lash for his
whip, and the other two-"hands" both of
them, and of a pretty bad type -lounged
in the doorway, chewing tobacco and
carrying on low conversation.
Now Jack was a good natured. kindly
fellow enough; but he never forgot the
difference between himself and these men,
and never allowed them to forget it; and
naturally enough, they detested him. No
doubt this was scarcely Christian charity,
very far from it-and, in justice to him, it
must be remembered that, in spite of
natural prejudices, in his own phrase, he
never liked 10 be rough on a hand as
wanted To behave hisself decently," which,
on the whole, was not the deepest desire
Of the two specimens before us.
All this by the way. Jack was not pay
NJ any particular attention 10 the
IN he
aot his habit 10 take an interest in the
conversation of those gentlemen, which,
II must be allowed, showed a certain
monotOny when his ear was caught by a
much h-emphaslsed assertion as to the
,hooting of crows. He knew that, in their
dialect. this word was applied
% bronze -colored and featherless bipeds
Ditener than to black and feathered ones;
and he was well acquainted with the
.eckless disregard of life-not confined TO
.uuviCts either-shOwn towards the I'M
.ucky natives of the island. 1t WAS a
urious trait in Jack Hepburn's character
considering the universal and deeply
ruIIed prejudice Of all colonial English
nen-that his naturally strong sense of
Justice suffered no bias or abrogation
where black fellows" were concerned
,'erhaps his experience of convict whites
and his sOjOurn among the wild tribes Of
he bush Il know his wanderings had been
wide and adventurous before he settled on
AlIardyce's run. had shaken his belief in
he comparative worthlessness Of the lat
Ter. However, ii may be accounted for
and am not writing an analytical dis
,ertation on his character; l am only tell
ing his story-such was the fact. And he
Nuew that there was II tribe of the natives
not very far off he had seen their tracks
Il the bush that very day.
So he listened, without see ming to hear
while one of the twO-a lowering,
.ullen-faced creature, with small eyes,
retreating forehead, and cruel jaw
wAnton murder committed some months
oefore. Facts of the kind may be found
IN plenty by those who care to read the
cruel record.
Then he looked up and said in his quiet
est tones:
Hawk Williams, that might do well
enough on the lamar, but l tell you |
won't have il here"
Hawk Williams gave a brutal laugh,
he other men started AID whistled.
"What-c call hev you got TO meddle'
Who the - made you boss of this here
consarn'"
Call or no call, won't-have it" said
Jack Hepburn, giving twist TO the end
Of his whip-lssh.
How'll you stop it! sneered Williams.
There's no law agin the KILN OF black
crows, is there' Meredith on the lamar
WAS glad enough TO have 'em picked off,
and So will Allardyce be for that matter"
Il know better'n that, said Jack Hep
Ourn, and finished his work refectively,
without lifting his eyes, for his soul was
stirred within him. He knew that the
Ian words were on the whole perfectly
Irue-that he had no force OF law or public
opinion 10 back him; that he had no
authority over these men TO compel them
tC refrain from such a deed should they
wish TO do II; that Allardyce,
who he felt sure would be on
his side was miles away at the
station, and that he had heard AilardyCe's
partner, kearney. treat such things as the
merest triies And. as he thought, the
slowly smOuldering fires of his disgust and
Indignation burnt through their embers
and leapt up into words.
Il don't know, he said slowly, looking
full in Hawk" Williams evil face-"I
don't know about the law and what folks
think; but do know this: that il i saw a
chap doiu' as you said just now-firin' on
them poor helpless critters, women, kids,
and all, for pure sport-Id shoot the fel-
low where he stood"
I'D ike to see you" laughed Hawk. Il
always knew you were a mean spirited
cuss, but you'd never dare that. I've
good mind TO try. Hallo!"
Jack Hepburn turned and followed the
direction of his eye. His own, trained to
the bush, at once detected the slight
movement In the shrub, and knew what
caused il Williams had turned into the
hut
Look, Hawk" said Cass, the other
convict who had not as yet spoken,
seeing him come out again with a
loaded gun in his hand. "Sh! over
lhere,"
SO 1t is" said Hawk, taking aim.
Jack Hepburn's rifle lay beside him; he