The Globe-republican., 1890-01-15

TO trust their money 70 StdSo uAAk uoAV
ed. The whole amount did not pan out
over $50, and the bushrangers were fu
rious.
'Why, you bloody bloke!' shouted the
leader, "you alone ought to have at least
e200 with your
''Do you think I'm carrying my money
about the country for such as you?'
protested the hot-headed victim.
'I'm a-wishing you hadn't got Z
blasted pennyv' added the second.
1.-THE idea of it! You'll all be hung
for this" growled the third.
Davis and had nothing to say. We
didn't see that the case could be helped
by protestations. The words of the
Englishmen provoked our captors to a
white heat, and they were knocked
about numerically for the next five
minutes. Then the leader, speaking to
| the two of US, asked:
"You are not English"
'No; Americans"
81 thought so. Where ye bound for?''
We gave him our destinations.
"Well, we're a bit sorry to take your
money, small as it is, and so delay your
journey; but we've got to do both. These
three coves is rich, and we amt going to
let 'em off with shillings where we
ought to have pounds"
While we were held under guard one
of the men went over to the driver and
held consultation with him, and the
result was that he turned his team about
and disappeared in the direction of the
highway. We were then ordered to pro-
coed in northerly course through the
scrub. one man leading and the others
bringing the rear. Not a word had been
addressed to little Eva by any of the
men. although all had looked at her
with softened expression. She realized
what was going on, but went through it
bravely, and when we started through
| the scrub her father carried her on his
shoulder. We travelled for six or seven
miles before hating, and then came upon
| a campfire, with fifth bushranger
sleeping beside it. He was rudely
| awakened, and then saw that he had
his right arm in a sling, having been
| wounded or meeting with an accident.
The camp was thicket, with a tenn
porary shelter of brush to sleep under.
The five of US were ordered to sit down
| under this shelter, and then every mans
feet were tied together at the ankles
and a guard took seat before us. Then
the fire was replenished, and the BUSH.
rangers gave us such a supper as they
could afford, which consisted solely of
OF Nd 10 Ho1
the ashes. When we had eaten this and
been offered drink of water all around
the leader sat down before US and said:
''Now, gents, business is business the
world over. We have got to have mon
ey. We want it to convert these ERE
natives from the error of their ways,
and it will take a heap to do it. You
first gent, who was so ready with your
tongue, how much are you WORTH"
cts none O. yer blasted business,
you scoundrel, you," was the quick re-
ply.
.'Well, mebbe not. Bein' as you is so
poverty stricken. I'll put you down for
only $500. Now, you second gent"
81 could raise s1OO if in Melbourne"
THAT means e2oo for you, then.
You'll lie half or more. Now, you
third gent"
'I'll see you hanged for this days
work." was the reply.
''Mebbe you will, but not until after
I sees your money. You also 60 down
for $500. Now, the fourth gent"
you've got my last dollar" 1 replied.
II landed in Melbourne only a week
ago."
That's bad for all of us, but l guess
you tell the truth. Now, you fifth
gent"
81 might possibly raise e5 if up at
the RANCH" replied Davis, ''but that
would be all am poor and just MAX
ing start"
SIS that your little gal?"
''Yes."
''Where'S the mother?"
Dead"
''Shoo! That's too bad. What's the
gals nance"
eva"
Mighty sweet. Say, gal, come and
kiss me-
She went over to him and kissed his
bronzed and bearded cheek without the
slightest hesitation, and he held her
a moment and looked her over and said:
Sweet as honey! 1 wouldn't hurt
you for all the gold in the big world"
She was allowed to return to her
father, and the leader then said:
'We shall hold you three peppery
gents until you raise $500 for us, and as
these Americans might give the alarm,
We shall be obliged to hold them as well.
Sorry to do it, but business is business,
and il We do not look out for ourselves
no one will"
Each one of the Englishmen swore by
all that was good and great that he'd
never pay cent, but the bushrangers
only laughed at their words. At late
hour we were ordered to 60 to sleep, and
the last thing l saw before my eyes
closed was the guard sitting on a rock
at my feet. The night passed quietly,
and as soon as we had break tasted : the |
morning the leader took pen, ink and
paper from a box and said to the Eng
lishmen: