The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-16

RUSH FOX THE GUNS.
and provide him with meal, and il
WAS not exacted that he should give any
information to the police. Had he play
ed spy as we'll as host, the bushrangers
would have put an end to sheep raising
10y numbering all the herders.
On the ID. and ID. run, which en-
braced many square miles north of the
Murray river, we had over 90 herders,
hnd the distance between some of them
WAS 12 miles. No two were nearer
than five. Each had rude hut of poles
hnd logs and turf and was supplied
with provisions once month. There
was fireplace in each hut, aud bunk
hnd bedding for any traveller who might
gone along. We had storehouse eight
miles north Of the Murray, and once
month two carts were sent out with
provisions for the stations. AS inspect
br for the company had TO visit each
herder mt least once week and report
pn the condition of his herd. If he was
I'LL, which was sometimes the case, !
bad to replace him with another man,
lind if he had become homesick and
abandoned his station, which was not
y rare thing, had to keep the saddle
till substitute was found. There was
no friendship between the inspectors
Ind bushrangers. We put the police on
their track whenever we could, and
many an inspector was tumbled from
his saddle by a shot fired from rock or
thicket. There were times, however,
when hostilities were suspended. When
the police wero not on redhot trail or
the bushrangers making foray, there
was not much danger to either side. On
one occasion, in riding through the
scrub, l came full upon the camp of six
bushrangers. There were sudden alarm
and rush for their guns, but / called
out that l was only ranch inspector
who had lost his way and was not fired
upon.
On the occasion of which / write ]
had made ride of 80 miles to reach
station H." which was at the base Of
chain of hills, with a vast plain in
front OF it. A creek ran along the base
OF the hills, and on the bank of this
stream was the hut. The provision cart
had been there week before and found
Everything all right. reached the hut
TN hour before sundown one afternoon
TO find the herder on the point of leav-
ing. On the forenoon of the previous
day he had been visited by two bush
hangers, one of whom recognized him as
witness who had gwen testimony against
him in a case at Sydney three years
before. The fact that the herder had
been an unwilling witness now saved
his life, though he was ordered off the
run and warned that he would be killed
If he returned. To remain in defiance
Of the order meant death. He must go,
and while waiting for herder to be
sent out to take his place must look
tut for his herd. gave him my horse
Ind his instructions as to where to re-
port, and he was off before sundown.
He said that would probably have
visit from the bushrangers before was
Dut Of it, but ! must take the chances
nf that. Things were very quiet just
then, and il they paid me visit they
would not be in an angry mood.
That you may understand more clear
ly let me explain that while most Of
the huts had only the earth for a floor
this one was elevated three feet from the
ground and had a floor of split poles.
The elevation was on account of the oc-
casional overflow of the creek, and the
herder being something Of carpenter
had put in his spare hours fixing up.
had prepared and eaten supper and had
n cheerful blaze on the hearth when the
two dogs began 10 growl and give other
signs that strangers were near. | thought
IL best to take the bull by the horns,
and after bit | threw the door wide
tpen and stood there fair mark, while
| called out TO know if any one wanted
food and shelter. Almost instantly n
man advanced from the darkness and
saluted me with good evening, and
stepped past me into the hut. closed
the door and turned around to find him
before tho fire. and instantly
him as notorious criminal
known rs Goelong Bill who had been
bushranging for four years and had re-
wards amounting 10 81 900 on his head
In his hand no had long and heavy
rifle, and in his belt two pistols and
knife. He was man about 3s years
Did. weighed about 1s0 pounds. and ii
uurJfrtt but gfsnrc to tell you that no
was all MUSCLE He had n short neck,
he jaw Of a bulldog. and more wicked
face, taken from chin to forehead. you
never looked into.
Glad to have your company, I said
~ | threw fresh stick on the fire.
III have you n bite TO eat in n minute
or two. Looks like a storm before morn