The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-20

ed rather slight and fraii. But any one
who mistaok him for a tenderfoot dis
covered in due season that his muscles
were Ike steel springs, and that behind
nis4 easy, incident grace there was
tremendous strength OF will. His hands
were delicate his face was pale under
meath its tan and his features were ninety
chiseled. He was Choice OF speech, q NOD
el of courtesy to women and d man OF
his word among men His voice was soft
and pleasant, and the woman who could
meet him without falling in love WIN nim
was a scarce article in Western Aus
trala.
:.aptafn Starlight's manner of dealing
with his victims was UP to all the best
traditions OF gentiemanly burglary. HeFe,
for instance, is an account OF che OIL MS
siaen r9boeries from Rolf Boldrewood's
story of Australia bust life, Robbery
Under Arms" of which TIE Captain was
the real hero, and for which the novelist
obtained the material from the bandit
il person:
ROBBERY IN THE BEST STYLE.
The coach was to pass half en- aour
after midnight An awful long time 10
wait, it seemed> We finished the bottle oil
brandy, | know l thought ':2ey would
never come. wlcn all Of Il sudden we
TN the hill they came slow enough.
About half way up thes- stopped and most
OF the passengers got out ana walked up
after her As they c1me closer TO US
We could hear them laughing ana tax
ing and skylarking like q lot OF boys
they didn't think VINO was listening,
You wont be so jolly in a minute or two
| THINKS to myself
They we're near the top when Star
light sings out: stand. Bail up and the
three of us. all masked, shovel ourselves
You ney er saw q. man look 50 scared dS
ont
Jolly commercial wtlod been giving tie
coachnan Havana cigars and y&rning aud
mining WITH Dim at every house they
passed Bill Webster the driver, pulls
IN all standing when he sees what was III
Starlight's hand. and holds the reins so
loose for minute that | IN ought 'heE q
drop out of his hands. l Went up to the
coach There was 10 one Inside-onE
an Old woman ana a young one. Th9y
seemed struck all of a heap and could
hardly speak for fright.
The best OF the joke was that the
passengers started running up iGl spit
to warm themselves. and came pump
against the coacu before they found out
what was UP One Of them had Just
opened out for a hit Of blowing Billy,
old man. he says, III report You to tAe
company if YOU crawl along this way
when he catches sight of me and star
light standing still and silent With our
revolyers pointing his way BY George,
could hardly help laughing. His jaw dropp-
ed and he couldn't set Il WORD OUT LIS
throat Seerncd quite dry.
Now. gentlemen says Starlight, quito
cool and ch4erfuI-iike, YOU understand Hcf
NaieSty's mail is stuck M, 70 use d
vulgar expression. ard there's no use re-
sisting. / must ask you TO stand IN
row there by the fence and hand out IN
the loose cash watches or rings yon may
1E,N-l- + |
sir. or | must fire. GThis was n ildgcty,
nervous man who couldn't keep qulet.}
Now. No One fetch down the mali bags,
No. Two. close up here.
Here Jim walked up revolver in Hand
and Starlight begins at the hrst man.
very stern:
.,.I4and out your cash; keep back moth
ing If you value your life
.'You never saw a man in such a
funk. He was a storeliee2er, we found al
tervard He nearly dropped on his Knees.
rTaen he handed Starlight bundle o.
notes, q gold watch and took It h2AdSotie
diamond ring from his finger rms star
light put into his pocket. He handed lile
notes and watch to Jim, who had leath-
a,, bag ready f0, them. The man saIA>
down on the ground: he had .inted lie
WAS Left to pick himself up. 1bey All
had something. Some had sovereishS, some
had notes ana small CCecks. which are
as good in a country Face. Inc Siudllct2
draw too many to know the NUMBERS OF
half that are out, 50 there's no Sledl
chance Of their being stopped. There were
eighteen male passengers, besides me
chan on the box seat We made hin come
down. BY tie time we'd got thfoush
them all it was best part Oh an hour'
CAPTAIN AND THE LADIES.
az pulled tie mail bags through he
fierce and put them under q tree linen
I,a
two women we're. he took OF his A2I
and bowed
.Unoleasant necessity, madam; most
,7ainful TO NV feelings altogether as
sure YOU. ] must really ask you-ah-ls
1ha young lady your daughter, madam:
Not at ALL says tie Oldest STOUT
middle-ased woman; 1 never set eyes
on Der before.
:. Indeed. madam says Starlight, bow
ing again; excuse my curiosity. | am des-
dated. / assure YOU, but may trouble
YOU for your watches and purses?
AS you're a gentleman sad the
fat lady, 1 fully expected you'd let us
off. I'm Mrs. BuXter, OF Bob5raWoppf3.
Indeed. I've no words to express my
regret, saws Starlight; but, my dear
lady. hard necessity compels ne. Thank
Won. very lnucn,' he said to the young
she handed over a small old Geneva
watch and 4 little purse me pump
lady had u gold watch with cham ana
purse to match
Is that all?' says he, trying to speak
stern.
It's my very all says the girl, five
pounds. Mother gave me her watch, and
shall have no money to take me 10
BownIng, where / am going 10 SITUATION
Her lips shook and treln.oed and the
tears came into her eyes.
,.starligat carefully handed Mrs. BuN-
ter's watch and purse to jim | sSu" aim
turn round and open the "ther purse
and he put something in. if / didn't mis-
take. Then ne looked in again.
Tn afraid I'm rather impairment,
SAYS he, but your face Miss-aT-i1i1ns-
dale. tnanks-reminds me Of some one IN
another world-the one / once lived IN.
Allow me TO enjoy the souvenir ana TO
return YOUR effects. No thanks, that smile
IS ample payment. Lalie5, l wish You
pleasant journey