SAGACITY OF A DOG.--A NIGHT'S ADVENTURES.
"Gentlemen," asked Lieutenant Murden, as the policeman brought the
horses to the door, "I hope you know how to ride."
"We have done a little in that line," answered Fred.
"Then I shall allow three of my men to remain behind, to lend the
stockman and his daughter such assistance as they may want, while Smith
and yourselves will take their animals. Now, then, mount."
We slung our rifles over our shoulders by the means of leather straps,
and in a few minutes were cantering across the prairie at an easy gait,
and in the direction of the bushrangers' late retreat.
It was near nine o'clock when we reached the edge of the forest, and
drew up near the spot where we had entered the day before by the secret
path.
The stillness of the woods was oppressive; for not a tree waved its
bough, nor did a breath of air sigh over the plain. The night owl alone
sent forth its discordant shriek, as though troubled with ominous
forebodings regarding its future fate, and was protesting against them.
"This silence is more dreadful than the howling of wolves," cried Fred,
at length, as he sat in his saddle, and regarded the dark forest before
him.
"Those trees, if they could speak, would tell of tales of blood and
cruelty, equal to that which I related yesterday," said Murden, after a
short pause.
"And do you think that there are other gangs of bushrangers concealed in
those dark recesses?" I asked.
"There must be near half a dozen different ones, for it's the most
extensive forest in Australia; and ten thousand soldiers, with every,
equipment necessary, would be obliged to retire from its shades, baffled
and defeated, before a few hundred men who knew the ground thoroughly."
"Well, let us get beyond the range of a bullet," cried the lieutenant,
after a moment's pause; and as we presented a fair mark for any robber
who might be in ambush, we were not slow to turn our horses' heads and
trot a short distance from such dangerous concealment.
We were about to dismount, and post our sentinels, when I heard a deep
bay in the direction of the stockman's hut, which recalled to my mind
the many scenes through which Fred and myself had passed since the same
sound had first broken upon our ears.
"Do you hear any thing?" I asked, of my companion, pausing to listen.
"No," he replied; "why do you inquire?"
"Did you, Smith, hear no sound that is familiar to your ear?"
"No, sir," he replied, pressing forward, "I did not hear any sound but
the shrieking of yonder owl."
"Our friend is getting nervous," cried Murden, with a laugh.
"There," I cried, suddenly, as a deep bay, many miles distant, came
floating over the prairie, "you must have heard that howl. The hound is
on our trail, and his following us at this time of night means
something."
"You are right," said Fred, quietly; "I could distinguish that dog's bay
amid a hundred. Let us return, lieutenant, and find out what has
happened at the hut."
Murden laughed at our folly, as he termed it, and could not he induced
to understand that the animal was endowed with rare instinct; and even
when we related how he had sought us out on the night that Black Darnley
had murdered his master, he tried to argue that it was purely
accidental; but even while we debated, the bays of the hound grew louder
and nearer as the scent became fresher, and while we were listening
attentively, as the animal searched along the edge of the woods for a
trail, I thought I heard the report of firearms, but at such a distance,
that I did not venture to call attention to my surmise.
In a few minutes the dog was with us, bounding towards Fred and myself,
as we sat on our horses, and seeking to attract, our attention by a
number of artifices. With a low whine, he would look in the direction of
the hut, where his mistress was supposed to be, and then trot off a
short distance, when, finding that we paid no attention to his
movements, he would return and whine as though his heart was breaking by
our coldness, in refusing to notice his appeals.
"I can't stand this any longer," cried Fred, suddenly. "Lieutenant, if
you will not lead your troop back to the stock-hut, Jack and myself will
go alone. I am satisfied that there is something wrong going on there,
and that the dog has been sent by the old convict to recall us."
"What can have happened to them since we left? There were no indications
of bushrangers in that quarter, and to return would be waste of time,"
returned the commanding officer.
"Then we will go alone. We should like Smith as a companion if you have
no objections; but as the horses are under your charge, we will leave
them, and walk to the hut. If matters are right there, we can join you
by daylight in the morning."
As Fred spoke, he dismounted, and I was about to imitate his example,
when Murden altered his mind.
"Do you think," he said, with all the warmth of an honest John Bull,
"that I will permit you two Don Quixotes to leave me, and cross this
wide prairie on foot, at this time of night. No, sirs. If you are
determined to go, thinking there is fighting, why, I am bound to
accompany you, and get my share. A quick trot, men, and keep in a
compact body."
The men, without a murmur at the sudden order, struck their spurs into
their horses' sides, and followed us at a gallop, the dog leading the
way in the direction of the stock-hut, and no longer uttering loud bays.
An hour quickly passes when there is something to occupy the mind, and
at the end of that time we were not more than half a mile from the house
which we had left at sundown.
"You see," said the lieutenant, "your surmises were groundless. We have
had our journey for nothing, and for once the dog has proved a false
prophet."
I began to fear that I had rendered myself liable to ridicule, and was
thinking how I should recede, when the sharp report of a gun was heard,
in the direction which we were travelling.
"The d----!" cried Murden, suddenly; "I know the sound of my carbines as
well as I know when pay-day comes. That gun was discharged by one of my
fellows, and there is trouble, or he would have been asleep before
this."
Three or four flashes of light were seen, and then the report of an
irregular volley was heard, as though some force outside of the hut was
firing at it from spite.
"The affair is explained," the lieutenant said; "a gang of bushrangers
have attacked the hut, and my men are defending it bravely. Forward,
men, to the rescue."
"One second," cried Fred, laying his hand on Murden's arm. "Let us
reason for a moment, because there is no pressing haste; those in the
hut can keep twenty men at bay until daylight, and I think if we use a
little stratagem, we can secure a few of the gang, and run but little
risk."
"Speak quick," cried the impatient officer, who longed to be where he
could smell the burning powder, and as another discharge of muskets was
heard, he almost broke away from the cool, indifferent Fred.
"There are two suggestions which I have to offer," Fred said. "In the
first place, the party that is attacking the station think that the
force under your charge is gone for the night."
"Well, what then?" cried Murden.
"Or else the party, not knowing that your command is near here, rallied
to avenge the death of Black Darnley and his comrades. Now, if we charge
up to the very door of the station, we shall most probably get a volley,
not only from the bushrangers, who will hear the sound of the horses'
feet, but as likely as not receive a shot from our friends."
"At any rate, we can capture two or three of the villains," cried the
officer.
"I doubt it," answered Fred. "Knowing that they will have to raise the
siege, two or three saddles will be emptied, and when we seek to return
their fire, we shan't find an enemy to contend against. They will
scatter in various directions if their force is small; and if large,
why; a bushranger is a dangerous foe, and fights with a halter around
his neck. Let us oppose craft to craft, and surprise the scamps, as they
have surprised us."
"But how?" asked Murden.
"You have never lived in a country where waging war against Indians is
regarded as mere pastime, or you would have comprehended my meaning.
Let us dismount from our horses where we are, and let my friend and
myself steal forward, and mingle with the bushrangers; or if that is
impracticable, find out their numbers, and whether they have made any
impression on the hut--where the main body is stationed, and whether
they suspect the presence of your force. An hour will be ample time to
go and return. What say you to the proposition?"
"I like it," answered the lieutenant, after a moment's musing; "but I
object to one thing."
"Name it"
"The idea of your going forward and exposing your lives in a service
that does not concern you. You remain with my men, and I alone will
venture into the midst of these villains."
"And let the Australian government lose a valued officer? No, sir, stay
with your men, and let Fred and myself do the scouting duty," I said.
"But you're not going without me," Smith exclaimed, abruptly; "I made a
bargain with you, gentlemen, to take you to the mines, and I'm not going
to lose sight of you for a moment."
"You shall go with us, Smith," we answered; and I could feel the warm
pressure of the honest fellow's hand at being allowed the privilege of
still adhering to our fortunes, although the duty which we were about to
enter upon was one fraught with no common danger.
"I don't see but that I shall be obliged to give my consent, after all,"
Murden said; "if you are rash enough to thrust your heads into the
lion's mouth, why, take my best wishes for your success, and start at
once. Ah, there speaks one of my carbines again. The garrison is on the
alert."
As we started on our expedition, the hound, which had been lying near
without a sign of impatience, bounded to his feet and led the way. We
debated for a moment as to the expediency of allowing him to accompany
us; but while discussing the question, he returned, and, as though
guessing that he was the subject of our talk, looked into our faces and
uttered a low whine.
"Let him go with us," I pleaded; "I'll warrant that he'll prove
discreet."
The animal planted his fore paws upon my shoulder, and sought to lick my
face, in gratitude. It might have been accidental, but to me it looked
as though there was something besides animal instinct in the act.
There was a unanimous vote in favor of the dog, and we once more started
on our way.
Gun after gun was discharged, both by besiegers and besieged; but as the
night was dark, and it was very evident that those in the hut did not
understand the Indian mode of warfare, of firing at the flash of their
enemies' pieces, it was pretty certain that not much harm was done to
the bushrangers.
"Come," said Fred, in a whisper, after we had watched the conflict for a
short time, "let us forward and count the number of our opponents, and
perhaps make a prisoner. Smith," he continued, addressing our stout
friend, "I need not tell you to be cautious, and make no reply if you
chance to encounter one of the scamps, and he speaks. The tones of your
voice would betray us if the party is small. Now let us move forward
and take up our positions near yonder clump of bushes by the bank of the
stream."
Fred led the way, and by his side walked the dog, with head erect, and
eyes glaring like balls of fire; but not a single yelp issued from his
capacious throat, as we strode towards the bushes and concealed
ourselves.
We had not remained long at our station before two men passed us,
talking earnestly together; and we learned enough to know that the
presence of the police was not suspected by the bushrangers, and that
the party attacking the hut was one got up for the purpose of avenging
the death of Black Darnley and his gang.
Smith's cart, filled with merchandise when we started, had been rifled
of every thing which it contained of value, and I could hear the poor
fellow groan as he thought of his loss.
"I tell you, Jim," cried one of the gang, "we are only wasting time
here; let's pack up what we've got, and be off. Bill says that he saw a
police force on the road day before yesterday, and our wasting so much
powder may bring 'em to this spot."
"And let the death of Darnley go unrevenged?" exclaimed the ruffian
addressed; "I'm blastedly ashamed of you, to hear a man talk that way!
You knows as well as I does that these fellers has got all the money
that Darnley's gang has made for six months past, and now there's a
chance of making a spec you want to be off."
"But I don't like the idea of getting nabbed by the police. I'm well
known, and curse 'em, there'd be a jolly time in Melbourne if they could
put the hemp around my neck."
"Your neck's no more precious than mine," replied the second bushranger;
"I for one don't quit this place till I've cut the throat of every man
in the hut. I'll learn 'em to attack our people. They shall be made
examples of."
"Well, Jim," replied the milder ruffian, "if you have set your heart on
fighting 'em, why, I'll stand by. But let's make short work of it, and
storm the hut without delay."
"And lose half of our gang, hey?" answered the bushranger. "There's good
marksmen in the hut, as the death of Sam just now should convince you.
We can't afford to throw away men, as we've none too many to do the
work."
"Then how are we going to get at 'em?"
"I'll tell you the plan I've hit on, and I think we needn't lose more
than one man in putting it into execution. Remove every thing from that
cart, and let half a dozen men keep up a brisk fire in front of the hut,
while I with the rest, will take the team to the back of the shanty. We
can push it close under the roof and shelter ourselves from the fire of
those within, if they discover the trick, which I don't think they will.
By starting a board or two, without much noise, we can command every
part of the room, and pour in half a dozen volleys without being
injured."
"That is a deused good idea, and I'll go and tell the boys. They've got
hold of that keg of rum, and I suppose I shall have hard work to choke
'em off; but they must leave it for a while, and attend to business."
The two bushrangers, who appeared to be the leaders of the gang,
separated, one stealing towards the object of his attack, and the other
hastening in the direction of the ford which crossed the
stream--possibly where the men were carousing.
"My poor goods," whined Smith, "the cursed brutes have stolen them all.
I wish that keg of rum had a pound of arsenic in it; there would be some
consolation in knowing that the devils were destroying themselves."
"Hush!" cried Fred, for that instant the growl of the dog gave token
that some one was approaching. With one hand on the animal's leather
collar to restrain him, and another on his massive jaws, we waited his
approach.
The bushranger walked with hasty step towards us, and then suddenly
stopping, he spoke aloud,--
"Jim," he said, evidently thinking that he should find his companion
still there, "the men won't leave their rum; come and speak to the
devils."
He turned in every direction to get sight of his companion, and as he
was facing the hut, I felt a warm pressure from Fred's disengaged hand,
and understood him without a word being spoken.
We noiselessly arose, and relinquished our hold of the dog; but strange
to say the animal appeared to understand our movements, and did not
spring forward as we feared he would. He looked into our faces, wagged
his tail, and remained silent.
"Jim!" cried the bushranger, in a louder tone of voice than he had used
before, "Jim, the boys--"
He had no time to utter more. Fred placed his strong hands around the
fellow's throat, and compressed his grasp until I fancied I heard bones
crack; at the same moment I dropped upon my knees, and seizing both his
legs we had him at our mercy. He kicked violently, and struggled
manfully, but in spite of all we bore him to the bushes, when Smith,
beginning to understand our attack, uttered a chuckle of delight, and
threw his whole weight upon the prostrate bushranger, and began to bind
his arms with cords which he always carried about him in case of need.
Even the hound was not idle, for standing over the astonished ruffian,
with his powerful jaws in close proximity to his face, he showed such a
set of strong teeth that the bushranger manifested many symptoms of
terror, and endeavored to move from such a dangerous neighborhood of
ivory.
The feet and hands of the robber were soon bound by the active Smith,
and then holding a knife at his throat, with an understanding that it
should be plunged into him if he gave an alarm, Fred relinquished his
grasp, and asked a few questions.
"How many are in your gang to-night?" Fred inquired.
The villain looked from one face to the other, as though he was almost
resolved to evade the question; but receiving no encouragement from the
scowling countenances which he encountered, replied,--
"There's twelve of us."
"Who's your leader?" he demanded.
"Jim Gulpin."
"As big a scamp as ever went unhanged!" ejaculated Smith; "I have heard
of his tricks, before."
"What is your object, in attacking the stock-hut?"
"To recover the gold which was stolen from Darnley, and also to revenge
his loss."
"And you expect to succeed?" demanded Fred, ironically.
The bushranger made no reply, and as we had got all the information that
we expected, and had other work in view, we gagged him, and had just
secured the wretch, when a low growl from the hound attracted our
attention.
"If this is the leader," whispered Smith, "you had better let me have a
clip at him first, as he is a man of great strength, and a regular
dare-devil!"
"You may pin his arms, while Jack looks out for his feet," replied Fred.
"I understand," answered Smith, and we fell back into the darkest shade
of the bushes, as Jim came in sight.
He walked with a hasty step towards the spot where his companions were
drinking, and we knew that they must be getting drunk quite fast, for
more than once had we heard their voices mingled with oaths and
execrations.
We stole after him, following on tiptoe to prevent our steps from being
audible, and at a given signal, threw ourselves upon his burly form.
Although taken by surprise, he readily shook us off and gained his
liberty. Once did he free one of his arms from Smith's embrace, and
brought it down upon that unfortunate man's head with a clang that
sounded as though he had fractured his skull; the stout-hearted
Englishman only clung the closer.
Once the bushranger, by his desperate struggles, freed his neck from
Fred's vice-like compression; but instead of using his voice in calling
for help, as a more cowardly man would have done, he uttered fierce
invectives and expressions of defiance.
We bore him to the earth and closed his mouth, and threatened with
steel, but he still defied us; and not until his limbs were securely
bound, and a piece of Smith's flannel shirt was thrust into his mouth,
and the hound standing over him, expressing, by his deep growls, the
most intense desire to taste the robber's flesh, did he become calm and
submit to his fate with resignation.
"Curse you," muttered Smith, "what have you done with my goods?"
"Never mind the goods now, Smith," said Fred. "We shall find them all, I
think, when we capture the gang. Do you take care of the prisoners, and
above all things, keep them quiet. Jack and myself will take a near
survey of the rest of the robbers, and then return."
"I'll keep them quiet--never fear," replied Smith, and he glanced
towards his long knife in an unmistakable manner.
We followed the edge of the stream along for a few rods--each step
bringing us nearer the voices which we had heard while lying in ambush;
and although the bushrangers were sensible enough not to build a fire to
reveal their location, yet the clamor which they raised while drinking
from Smith's cherished keg of rum, was sufficient to lead a party to
their seclusion without fear of being discovered.
We skulked behind a clump of bushes, and for a few minutes listened to
the conversation. Oaths, robbery, and murder were themes as common on
their lips as prayers from a minister desirous of getting an increase of
salary.
"We have heard enough of this, Fred," I said. "Let us return, bring up
Murden and his party, and take the villains alive."
"Agreed," cried my companion; and retracing our steps, we were once more
by the side of Smith, who sat, in company with the hound, watching his
two prisoners with great diligence.
"Your keg of rum is a blessing, Smith," I said. "The bushrangers are
taking to it finely, and in an hour's time they will be unconsciously
drunk."
"We are now going to join Murden and his policemen, and bring them up
for the purpose of capturing the remainder of the gang."
"Good--I'll wait here with these two, and give a good account of them
when you return. Let me keep the dog," he said, as the hound rose to
follow us.
I spoke a few words to the animal, and he quietly returned to the chief
bushranger, and laid down by his side with a brilliant show of teeth.
There had not been a shot fired from the hut for more than half an hour.
The inmates were evidently puzzled at the silence of those on the
outside, and as the gang were too busy getting drunk to attend to
business, it was not probable that another attempt would be made before
our return.
Ten minutes' brisk travelling brought us in sight of Murden's force.
They were on the alert, for we were challenged as we drew near, but were
received joyfully by the officer and his men. They suspected, from the
sudden ceasing of the guns, that we had been surprised; and it was with
the utmost astonishment that they listened to an account of the capture
of the two men.
"We will lose no time," cried the lieutenant "Mount, men, and proceed."
As we trotted towards the hut, Fred suggested to give those on the
inside an intimation of our presence, and as they would be likely to
recognize the voice of their officer sooner than any body else, Murden
rode to the door, dismounted, and rapping, spoke to his men in tones
they well knew.
The bars were removed cautiously, but when convinced that their officer
was speaking, the men were overjoyed. They rushed out to be
congratulated by their comrades, and tell the short story of their
siege. But there was no time to lose, if we desired to capture the
bushrangers; so, leaving the horses in charge of one man, we joined
Smith, and finding that his prisoners were safe, left them in charge of
the dog, and then walked rapidly in the direction of the gang, still
swilling from the rum keg.
They did not suspect our presence, although we heard a number of calls
for their chief, and a few drunken surmises as to the reason of his long
absence; and in the midst of their discussion, the loud voice of Murden
rang out,--
"Surrender, villains, you are surrounded!"
We could hear them start to their feet, and search for their guns, and
then whisper together; and then a deep-toned voice exclaimed,--
"Who asks us to surrender?"
"The police of Melbourne!" cried Murden.
"Curse the police of Melbourne! Come, my hearties, let's give it to the
fools!"
An irregular discharge of half a dozen muskets followed his words, and a
man at my side was struck down, and wounded terribly. He was shot
through the heart, and died instantly.
Their firing revealed their position, and we saw that they were
determined to rush to close quarters, and try the odds, drunk as they
were. Murden no longer hesitated.
"Give them a volley, my men," he cried; and the police, enraged at the
loss of a comrade, poured in a murderous discharge from their carbines.
Yells and imprecations followed, and loud above the groans we could hear
one or two shouting that they would surrender, and begging the police
not to fire again. Murden granted their prayer, and when daylight made
its appearance, the dead bodies of four bushrangers, and three mortally
wounded, were lying by that quiet stream, the waters of which received
their blood, and bore it to the ocean.