DESPERATE DEEDS OF TWO CONVICTS.--LIEUT. MURDEN'S STORY.
The sun was pouring down with Australian brilliancy and power, but we
cared but little for the heat, if we could gain the scene of the battle
before a gang of bushrangers reached the spot, and concealed the bodies.
It was, therefore, with considerable uneasiness that we saw the
lieutenant of police coolly dismount from his horse, throw the bridle to
one of his men, with directions to remove the saddles from the animals,
and let them drink their fill at the stream, and afterwards be allowed
to graze on the rank grass.
"How is this?" I asked; "are we not to start immediately? Delays are
dangerous."
"Patience, my friends," returned the officer, leading the way towards
the stockman's hut. "I value your lives too much to think of asking you
to undertake a jaunt of twelve or thirteen miles at noonday, when the
sun is hottest."
"But we are capable of the task," replied Fred, energetically.
"I have no doubt of it, gentlemen; but if you can endure heat and
privation, my men and horses cannot. Why, before we could gain the edge
of yonder wood, half of the men would be sun-struck, and two-thirds of
the animals would expire for the want of water. No, no, trust to me, and
let us take the cool of the evening."
"But we shall reach the woods too late to make an investigation," I
said.
"It is very probable," answered the officer, entering the hut, where the
convict's daughter was lying on a rude bedstead, made of the skin of an
ox.
"But have you no fear of an ambuscade?" exclaimed Fred, who began to
entertain an opinion that the lieutenant was not well posted on the
subject of bush-fighting.
"Not in the least," replied the Englishman, removing his coat and heavy
sword belt, and stretching himself on a box.
"O, then you will keep skirmishers in advance of the main body, I
suppose?" Fred said.
"No," answered the officer, lighting his pipe: and then, observing an
expression of surprise on our faces, he continued,--
"Do you take me for such a greenhorn as to suppose that I would enter a
wood after dark? No, sir; I've studied the habits and cunning of
bushrangers for many years, and seen much service during that time. I
shall start near dark, halt half a mile from the edge of the forest, and
remain there until daylight. Does that suit your ideas of our peculiar
kind of warfare?"
We could offer no objections to the plan proposed; and as we were to
spend the day in idleness, looked around the hut for something to make a
breakfast on. The policeman guessed our thoughts, for he called one of
his men, and gave him an order.
"Get coffee and breakfast ready, Maurice," he said, "and when ready,
serve it here."
The man bowed, saluted his superior, and retired with military
precision.
"An old soldier," said the lieutenant, carelessly; "he has served
through half a dozen campaigns in India."
"And did he never rise above the ranks?" I asked.
"Never obtained a position higher than that of corporal; but that is not
extraordinary in the English army. Promotion with us goes with birth and
influence, not merit and brave deeds. Maurice has distinguished himself
in many a hotly-contested field; yet now, in his old age, he draws a
trifling pension, and is glad to be enrolled in the police force of
Melbourne, where better pay and quick promotion awaits him."
"As you have been in the country for many years, suppose that you give
us a short account of your experience," cried Fred.
"Willingly; but wait until after breakfast. That woman is getting
better--hear her breath, regular and natural. Let her father come in to
tend her, if he wishes."
The latter remark was made to one of his privates, who stood at the
door, and had prevented the entrance of the aged convict. The father
entered with a humble air, and seated himself near his daughter's side.
He appeared too grateful for the privilege of thus remaining in the
presence of his superior to pay any attention to his conversation; and
when breakfast had been disposed of, and our pipes were lighted, each of
us chose a comfortable place to rest at full length on the floor of the
hut, and discuss matters and things in Australia. I found the lieutenant
a rare companion, and a man that had seen much service in the country.
"We have a number of hours to spare before we undertake our expedition,"
said Fred, during a pause in the conversation; "suppose you favor us
with a short history of some of your adventures in this country. You
have seen many years' service as a police agent, and tales of no
ordinary kind must be familiar to you."
"If I should tell you of the murders which the bushrangers sometimes
commit, when they have a thirst for blood, you would think I was
romancing," answered the officer.
We both protested against such an idea, and Lieutenant Murden--that was
his name, and I am glad to see that, since I left Melbourne, he has been
promoted to a captaincy--knocked the ashes from his pipe, carefully
reloaded it, told the sentinel at the door to keep his eyes open, and
not let a gang of robbers approach the hut unperceived, wet his lips
with the contents of a flask, which he carried about his person, lighted
his pipe with a match, and then began.
* * * * *
LIEUTENANT MURDEN'S STORY.
"Not long since, the whole police force of the country was thrown into a
state of great excitement and vigilance, owing to the desperate deeds of
two convicts, who seized a schooner on the coast, compelled the crew, on
the pain of instant death, to navigate her to a distant part of the
island, and by keeping their guns pointed at the heads of the
frightened men, and relieving each other at the task, were enabled to
accomplish their ends.
"The convicts were landed, and to repay the sailors for their kindness
and forbearance, they shot the two men that rowed them ashore; and, from
the time that they set foot on land, until the day of their death, their
course was marked with blood.
"They took the life of every human being that stood in their way. The
most unreasonable request, if there was a moment's hesitation, was
rewarded with a bullet; and it seemed as though demons, not men, were
thirsting for the blood which was shed so profusely.
"The news of the murderers' doings was brought post haste to Melbourne,
and I and my troop were ordered to start immediately for the bush, and
secure them, dead or alive. Extraordinary powers were granted me by the
government. I could take horses or cattle, or even press men into my
service, if I thought desirable, for the purpose of capturing the
bushrangers. Hardly a moment of preparation was allowed me, beyond the
choice of twelve men, whom I knew I could rely upon; and even while I
was conversing with the superintendent, another messenger arrived with
the news of fresh butcheries, more bloody and brutal than the last.
"At eight on the evening of the day that I was ordered to take my
departure, my troop was leaving Melbourne on the road leading towards
Ballarat, in which direction I learned the convicts were travelling.
"At two o'clock we halted at a cattle station; and while some of our men
changed saddles from our tired horses to fresh ones, the remainder
cooked a kettle of coffee, and broiled a piece of beef, to stay our
stomachs during our long ride. From the stockman we obtained some
information, as the bushrangers had visited his cattle station two days
before, selected what animals they wished, and then shot the companion
of the man we were conversing with.
"At seven o'clock we again halted at a cattle station, but for ten
minutes we could not find a soul to answer our questions. We searched
the hut and an adjoining piece of woods, in hope of finding somebody who
would give us a little information. As time was precious, however, I was
on the point of borrowing what animals I wanted, when two of my men
brought in a native, half dead with fear. He had been found secreted
under some brush in the woods, and all our persuasions could hardly
convince him that his life was not in danger.
"After an immense amount of questioning, I learned that the two
murderers had visited the cattle station the day before, had shot the
keeper, and would have killed the native had he not fled to the woods
for protection. After the deed, they ransacked the hut thoroughly,
possessed themselves of a quantity of rum which they found, renewed
their supply of ammunition, mounted fresh horses, and were off in the
direction of Ballarat at full gallop, according to the account of the
native.
"It only remained for us to follow as fast as possible. In twelve hours
we had travelled a distance of one hundred miles; and although we felt
the want of rest, yet I knew that time was too precious to waste in
sleep. A hasty breakfast, and we were off; but before we had rode twelve
miles our attention was attracted near the roadside by seeing a flock of
birds hovering in the air and uttering shrill cries. I endeavored to
get my horse to approach the place, but with starting eyes and every
indication of terror, he refused to move.
"I dismounted, and entered the hushes, and found my suspicions
confirmed. Two men were lying dead on the ground, both with bullet holes
through their heads. I made a short examination, and satisfied myself
that the murders were committed the day before, and that the bodies were
dragged amongst the bushes, after being robbed of every thing valuable
about their persons.
"Time was too precious to give Christian burial to the dead men, even if
we had had the proper tools to open the earth. With a sigh, we left the
birds their prey, and once more continued our journey through the
wildest part of the sterile country between Melbourne and Ballarat.
"On, on, we went, urging our panting, tired beasts without mercy; and
just as we thought we should have to halt, to allow the animals a
resting spell, we reached the large cattle station of Witon Martells.
Here we found every thing in confusion; and although usually half a
dozen men were employed at the station, only two came out to greet us,
and they wore frightened visages.
"We soon heard their story. The murderers had rode up to the hut about
six o'clock the evening before, and wished to exchange horses. The
stockmen refused; and hardly were the words from their mouths before one
of the convicts drew a revolver, and fired upon those standing in front
of him; and while he was thus amusing himself, his companion sat on his
horse, and laughed to see those not instantly killed endeavor to get
away! Three men fell under the fire, and hardly knew what caused their
death, it was so sudden. One man, mortally wounded, was just dying as we
rode up; and the two that came to greet us had saved their lives by
taking to their heels, and entering the bush.
"They had watched the convicts pick from the herd of horses the most
able and strongest nags, and then, after eating what they could find
ready cooked in the hut, started for Ballarat, where, no doubt, amongst
the crowd of miners, they thought they would escape detection.
"Throughout the long night we spurred onward, and when daylight
appeared, tired and sore with our journey, we stopped at another station
to change horses. The murderers had left their mark at that place also,
and in front of the door was the stockman shot through the heart, and
stone dead.
"The men selected a number of animals, and after our never-failing
stimulant, a cup of coffee, and a piece of broiled meat, we were in the
saddle again, and galloping towards the next station, where I knew it
would be impossible for the convicts to obtain fresh horses, as sheep
only were kept there.
"At twelve o'clock we reached the station, and drew up at the door.
There was no sign of life about the premises, and with sad misgivings, I
dismounted, and entered the hut; but I started back in horror, for on
the floor were a dozen men, motionless and lifeless, as I at first
thought; but a closer examination convinced me that they were bound hand
and foot, and their mouths gagged.
"It may seem to you incredible, but it is nevertheless true, and only
proves what resolute men can accomplish when opposed to weakness.
Twelve men were surprised and bound, and made to lie flat on their backs
at the word of command, and so well did they obey the instructions of
the murderers, that the latter, very probably, were too much pleased
with their compliance to waste powder on them.
"I did not upbraid them with their cowardice, for I know what human
nature is, and perhaps, had I been of the party, I might have submitted
to the same degradation.
"There was one thing that I learned from the released prisoners that
pleased me. The convicts had left their horses at the station, and
expressed a determination to return in a few hours' time for them. Where
the villains had gone they did not know, or in what direction they
departed. A native, however, who was employed at the station, searched
for their footsteps, and was not long in finding them.
"The trail led to the woods, and the men stationed at the hut expressed
an opinion that the convicts were in search of a gang of bushrangers,
that had been secreted in the vicinity for many months, but had recently
disbanded, and gone to the mines.
"I expected that the murderers would return to the hut for their horses,
when they found that the men they wished to join were no longer
organized as a gang; so bidding the men conceal the horses, and retire
within the walls of the stock-house, I waited hour after hour for them
to come in sight.
"About four o'clock, my wish was gratified. Two stout, black-whiskered,
desperate looking men, with rifles in their hands, and revolvers in
their belts, came in sight, and advanced towards the hut, conversing in
earnest tones, and apparently unsuspicious of the change that had taken
place during their absence.
"I can only account for their boldness in returning, by the supposition
that they had been so long accustomed to see men tremble when they
raised their deadly weapons, that they were regardless whether the
prisoners had released themselves or not.
"In fact, when the two convicts were advancing, I looked around on the
numerous stockmen, and was surprised to see that they trembled and
turned pale; and yet they were surrounded by twelve policemen, as brave
as Melbourne could produce.
"When the convicts were within a dozen paces of the door, they suddenly
stopped, surprised by the number of prints of horses' feet which they
discovered in the soft earth. They glanced suspiciously at the hut, and
cocked their rifles, and debated the question as to whether they should
advance or retire.
"The latter course was decided on, and as they turned to go, I ordered
half a dozen of our light carbines to be discharged at their retreating
forms.
"The effect was like magic, for, although both were wounded, yet instead
of endeavoring to make their escape, they turned towards the hut, and
charged towards it with a cheer and a yell, as though determined to have
blood for their injuries.
"Almost before the remainder of my men could bring their guns to a cock,
the villains were upon us, discharging their revolvers to the right and
left, and creating such a scene of confusion as I never witnessed
before. The stockmen endeavored to make their escape from the windows,
and those who could not squeeze through, tried to shelter themselves
behind my men, and some of the cowards even seized the police around
their waists, and held them as shields to ward off the shots which were
flying thick in that little square room, densely crowded with human
beings.
"I saw two of my men fall, owing to the struggle which the station men
made to escape, and then fearful that we should all be defeated and
murdered, I seized a carbine that one of my people had dropped, and with
a blow, I struck one of the murderers senseless to the ground.
"The remaining one fought like a demon. After discharging the contents
of two revolvers which he carried about his person, he drew his bowie
knife and rushed into our midst, cutting to the right and left; and so
impetuous was his onset that we fell back a few feet, which the villain
seeing, turned and attempted to escape. Before he had taken two stops
towards the door, my men recovered from their surprise, and rushed upon
him. He fought like a devil, and his knife was red with the heart's
blood of one of my bravest men, before he was lying powerless, with
irons on his hands and ankles, at our feet.
"The villain that I had struck senseless, now began to show signs of
animation; but before he had recovered, he was loaded down with irons,
and a watch placed over both, with orders to blow their brains out if
they made the least attempt to escape.
"You would hardly expect that men, conquered as they were, and
momentarily expecting death at our hands, would have the hardihood to
boast of their deeds, and plan other crimes in case of their escape. Yet
those convicts dared to tell me to my face that we should never live to
reach Melbourne, and death was far from their thoughts.
"I had a great mind to end their days on the spot; but doubtful of my
authority in the premises, and fearing their deaths would be the subject
of a judicial examination, prevented me. My men, half of them wounded,
and three dead, were frantic for the villains' blood, and it was with
difficulty that I could restrain them.
"I attended to the injuries of the men as well as I was able, and then
making the stockmen provide as good a supper as they could get, we
satisfied our appetites; but even while doing so, sleep overpowered us,
so tired were we with our long journey.
"I determined to halt for that night, at the station, and let the men
get recruited. One of the stockmen and one of my men were placed on
guard over the prisoners, and relieved every two hours during the night,
with express orders to shoot them if they moved hand or foot in the way
of attempting to escape, was the means of keeping the murderers quiet,
and enabling my men to attain that rest which they stood so much in need
of.
"Not to tire you too much with minute particulars, we next day buried
our killed and started for Melbourne, where we arrived safe with our
prisoners, and a few days afterwards they were hung in the jail-yard."
"Maurice," said the lieutenant to the sentinel at the door, who had been
listening to the recital, "do you wish to meet with two more such
villains?"
"God forbid, your honor," answered Maurice, crossing himself; for he was
a devout Catholic. "I have hardly recovered the use of my arm where the
devils struck me with a knife."
By the time the lieutenant had concluded, and we had drank a strong cup
of tea, the sun was just setting behind the dark forest, which we had
penetrated the day before, and word was passed from mouth to mouth to
bring up the horses and get ready for a start.