The Sun. — 1863-12-26 (London, England)

COLONIAL HERO.  The West Australian Times of Oct. 15 contains the following :—An incident in the life of a poor man was rrlatcd last week in the course of our criminal sessions that, in a former age, would have excited general admiration. Two rhepherds were in charge of f ne of the flecks of Mr. John Hassell, at a remote station. There was no other station within 20 miles of them. One afternoon, some time ago, one of these men while occupied in his hut, which was only composed of stakes and rushes, fancied he heard a groan at a little distance. Going outside he again heard the sound of low moaning, and soon discovered his companion, Chas. Storey, lying insensible in a brake, and covered with innu• merabic spear wounds. Carrying him on his back to the hut, he laid him on his kangaroo skin rug, washed and probed his wounds, succeeded in extrac!ing the barb of a spear which was buried in his side, and ultimately restored him to consciousness. It turned out that Storey had been attacked by a band of natives who wished to seize the sheep. This was admitted by the native witnesses at the trial of one of the party for the murder of Storey, who eventually died of his wounds.  The two unfortunate men remained awake all night— one in extreme pain, the other carefully attending upon him. Next morning the natives surrounded the hut, and began throwing spears, which completely passed through both sides of it. Finding that they would be murdered, Edward Ladbury, the witness, who told the tale in simple, unvarnished terms, took his only weapons, his pocket knife and bill-hook, and boldly sallied forth. lie had covered the bill-hook with his coat, so as only to dieplay the handle, which the natives took to be a pistol, lie threatened to fire upon thorn unless they withdrew, and make avidhe felt better, and they resolved to their escape to Mr. HasseWs next atter some deliberation they sullenly retired. All that day the men remained in fear of their return. During the neatendeavour bedding effects, and d Storey yury clung was laden with station, 20 miles distant. A, t 2 o'clock in the morning they stole er outbed of g the sad hut. to his arm. After crawling about 150 yards the wounded men said he could go no farther.• and urged Ladbury to leave him to his fate, and save himself. It appeared to be almost impossible to rescue Storey, but Ladbury determined not to leave him to certain death. He hurried forward with his load and deposited it a quarter of a mile off, then returned for his comrade, hoisted him on his back, and carried him to the same spot, where he exchanged him for their personal effects (the sole property of these poor fellows), which he again carried a quarter of a mile fur. !her. Then he returned for his friend, and thus they journeyed, one nearly dead of his wounds and the other exhausted with his exertions, for a distance of seven miles, when they reached a spring of water. Hero they remained a while, scarcely able to crawl any further. Ladbury could no longer carry Storey, but he managed to drag him along. After a miserable journey of two days and a night they reached Mr. Hassell's station at Jerrymungup, both of them nearly dead. The wounded man, after necessary rest, was sent forward in a cart to the hospital at Albany, where his sufferings wore terminated by death. Few men have better deserved the Victoria cross than this humble shepherd, Edward Ladbury. What struck !Is most un forcibly about the matter was, that his conduct elicited yea_ a single comment or remark from either court, e°s !I jury, From which he are inclined to infer that such or acts are far from singular or uncommon isthe country. For For our own part, we feel it to be only 0220 eas degree lower than ands r than a crime to allow such an instance of generous e selfdevotion to pass without the tribute of applause; although in this, as in most other es' virtue is likely to be its own reward, Edward ijadbuhrY may return t at h ha bl his hard life with the conscious ationtneof hisefellow•colo :ss 8 no y robearned the sympathy and app nist s.  cwwh ot he reviews rage Tra .