THE STOCKMAN AND HIS PARROT.--DARING PLOT OF A ROBBER CHIEFTAIN.
Tired with a hot, dusty ride across the prairie, we felt more like
resting after the sleepless night and busy scenes through which we had
passed, than commencing our journey at sundown, and so we intimated to
Murden; but he was deaf to our hints, and gave his orders for getting
ready regardless of them.
A hasty supper of roast lamb and hot coffee was awaiting us when we
returned from the water, and while we were eating, a number of the
policemen were despatched along the banks of the river to drive in
Smith's cattle, while others stored his goods, which they had collected
during our absence, in the hut, and returned to the stockman a correct
schedule of the same.
About sundown, the oxen were yoked together and attached to the cart.
The horses were saddled, and awaited their riders, and the only thing
that detained us was the transfer of the bushrangers from the trees to
the cart in which they were to be transported to Melbourne. The wounded
men were too seriously hurt to endure the journey, and, indeed, it was
doubtful whether the poor wretches would survive many days, removed, as
they were, hundreds of miles from a physician's reach, and with no fit
nourishment to sustain them.
Murden, when we remonstrated against the wounded men being disturbed,
and given an opinion of the fatality of the act, received the news with
the utmost sang froid, and expressed no particular desire that the men
should live, under any circumstances; and finding that he could do
nothing with them, and that they would never survive the journey to
grace his triumphant entry into Melbourne, he wisely turned them over to
the care of the aged convict and his daughter, both of whom promised to
take care of them to the best of their ability, and in case they
recovered, to hold them close prisoners until the lieutenant sent an
order for their delivery.
One by one the prisoners were transferred from the trees to the cart.
Desperate was their resistance, and loud were the curses which were
heaped upon our heads. Manacled as they were, with heavy handcuffs
around their wrists, in some instances four men were required to lift
one of the villains to his place in the team, and it was no easy task at
that.
The police worked with patience, and never once lost their temper,
although I expected every moment that they would resort to extreme
measures. To keep the robbers quiet, and prevent their committing any
violence on those who rode in the team, a stout, spare chain was passed
from the forward end of the cart to the back part, and fastened
underneath. To this the feet of the men were secured, so that it was
impossible for them to move, or commit any sudden act of violence. The
method was severe, but the only safe plan, and Murden was too old a hand
at rogue-taking to adopt half-way measures.
At eight o'clock we were ready for our journey. Three of the police were
to ride on the cart as a means of precaution, and Fred and myself were
promoted to horses. Smith resumed his old position by the side of his
cattle, and after an affectionate leave-taking with the old convict and
his child, we started; but, to our surprise, the hound trotted along by
my side, and all words or gestures were useless in forcing him to return
to his mistress.
Knowing that she valued the animal, I rode back with him, and requested
her to call him into the hut and close the door, but to my astonishment,
she declined; and when I urged that I could not induce the animal to
return unless I accompanied him, she requested me, in a quiet manner, to
accept of him as a gift, and the only conditions that she imposed were,
that I should treat him kindly during his life.
I joyfully accepted her offer, and once more saying good-by, I rejoined
the troop, and with Rover, as I called the dog after I owned him, by my
side, bounding towards me to receive a friendly pat on the head, as
though he rejoiced in the change that had been made, I journeyed on, in
company with Murden and Fred.
All night long did we urge the oxen to their quickest paces, so that we
could reach a stock-hut by sunrise, where we could obtain food and rest,
both of which we needed. A dozen times did I fall asleep in the saddle,
only to awaken when I found that I was likely to pitch headlong to the
ground, and when, by the sudden efforts which I made to recover myself,
I got thoroughly awakened, I saw that my companions were equally as
sleepy.
Had a strong force of bushrangers but attacked us that night, not a man
would have been left to tell the story; for so thoroughly used up were
the force, that I doubt if even the report of a gun could have roused
them from their lethargy.
About daylight we left the main road, and took a course nearly parallel,
over a plain where not a sign of a wagon wheel was visible. After we had
lost sight of the road, we began to meet cattle grazing upon the
prairie, and by their wildness, we imagined that visitors were a rare
sight to them.
At length, two Australian natives were discovered, nearly naked, and
armed with their favorite weapons, spears and boomerangs, squatting
under a tree, and watching our cavalcade with great interest.
Murden spoke to them in their native language, of which he understood a
little, and inquired the distance to a stock-hut; and with an almost
imperceptible motion of their heads, they intimated the direction which
we were to pursue, and then relapsed into their former state of
stoicism.
"Some of our heaviest cattle-raisers are trying an experiment," said
Murden, as we rode. "Thinking that these poor devils are fit for
something, they are employing them to look after cattle on these immense
plains. The plan has worked admirably so far, for they appear especially
adapted for this kind of work, as it suits their idea of freedom and
idleness."
"And what pay do they get?" I asked.
"Their pay is trifling, but they are assured of good, healthy food, and
clothing if they will wear it, which in some cases they reject with
disdain. Our countrymen have never treated the natives as human beings,
and hence they have never looked upon us with any love; fear alone keeps
them in subjection. A new theory is to be attempted, and with what
success remains to be seen."
When we came in sight of the hut, we started our horses, and left the
cart and men to follow at their leisure. The place was not very
inviting, and did not reflect much credit on the stockman who had charge
of the station.
The hut was built of rough boards, patched in a dozen different places
with bullocks' hides, to keep out the rain in the winter, and the hot
sun in the summer. A small shed was placed at one end of the house,
under which all the cooking was done during wet weather.
Two upright sticks, with necks, on which a cross bar was placed, formed
the fireplace, and that was all that was required by men who live on
meat day after day, and year after year, until, as one stockman informed
me, he "felt horns growing on the sides of his head."
Basking in the sun, which was high in the heavens, was a parrot,
confined in a rough board cage, evidently whittled out with a jackknife,
during the leisure hours of its master. The bird was shrieking out a few
words of unmistakable English, and appeared to utter them with the
greatest glee, as though charmed by having a number of new listeners to
whom it could show off its perfections.
"D---- it, where do you come from?" the bird yelled; and then changing
his tune, he shouted, "take that dog away--take him away! take him
away--cuss him!"
We could but feel amused at such proficiency in the English language,
and were admiring the display of his rare talent, when the proprietor of
the bird came to the door, evidently awakened from a nap by his protegé.
He first told the parrot to "shut up," and then turned his languid
attention on his visitors, whom he did not appear pleased to see, or
indeed displeased. In fact, he seemed too lazy to exhibit much emotion
any way; and the only energy he displayed was when he used his long,
dirty finger nails on his head, the hair from which hung down on his
shoulders in tangled masses, and afforded refuge to thousands of
animals, that would have been homeless, had he had those locks clipped
close to his skull.
The stockman was barefooted, and his feet looked tougher than any sole
leather ever brought to market. Dirt, a hot sun, and an entire absence
of water as a cleansing agent, had rendered them of an indescribable
color, and us he afterwards boasted, he was "not afeerd of any varmin
biting them 'ere, 'cos they was toughened."
An old flannel shirt, and a pair of canvas trousers, completed the
costume of a man who said he preferred to live on a cattle station, and
receive about ten dollars per month, than to trust to luck, and work
hard at the mines.
"Hullo, Bimbo," shouted the lieutenant, as the stockman came in sight,
and leaned languidly against the door, as though too lazy to support his
own weight.
The fellow muttered something which we did not hear, and Murden shouted
again,--
"Did we disturb you from a refreshing nap, Bimbo, or have you grown
lazier than ever? Come, stir yourself, and start a fire; we want
breakfast. In a few minutes there will be a dozen more here, and they
will eat you out of house and home, unless you are smart. Bushrangers
always have good appetites."
It might have been fancy, but I thought I saw the indolent Bimbo
suddenly start at the word "bushrangers," and his apparently
heavy-looking eyes were lighted up with an energetic look that I little
expected from a man such as his outward appearance denoted. Whether my
surmises were correct or not, the man resumed his old habit in a moment,
and if possible looked more fatigued than ever.
"I don't see what you want, coming here at this hour in the morning,"
Bimbo said, with a yawn. "I was just dreaming that I could live without
work, when you roused me. What is up that takes you from Melbourne?"
The question was asked in the most indifferent tone that a person can
imagine; but I thought I detected an eagerness to know the mission upon
which Murden had been engaged that but ill compared with the man's
general indifference and lazy deportment.
"We have been after bushrangers, Bimbo," answered the lieutenant,
dismounting from his horse and approaching the stockman, who still
retained his reclining position against the side of the door.
"And did you meet any?" asked the stockman, indifferently, stealing a
look at the face of the officer as though anxious to obtain his answer
before he uttered it.
"Meet any?" replied Murden, "why, of course we did. You will not be
troubled with robbers in this part of the country for some time to come,
I'll warrant you."
I saw a black frown gather on the stockman's brow, but it was dispelled
as soon as formed, although I could not help feeling that the news
troubled the man exceedingly.
"Come, stir yourself," cried the lieutenant, when he saw that the
stockman did not appear disposed to move, and as he spoke, he laid his
hand lightly upon the fellow's shoulder, and pulled him from his
position in the doorway.
"Come, awaken, old fellow, and let us have the best quarter of beef you
possess, for we are all hungry, and I'll warrant that Jim Gulpin and his
gang--"
"So help me, God, lieutenant," cried Bimbo, hurriedly, "I don't know him
or his men, and I don't see what right--"
"Why, what is the matter with the man?" laughed Murden. "I didn't say
that you knew him. I meant that he and his gang, or what remained of
them, are my prisoners, and in less than a week their necks will be
stretched a few inches longer. There's news for you, Bimbo."
"Gulpin and his band prisoners," I heard the fellow say, in an
undertone, as though he could scarcely comprehend the news, and then an
expression stole over his face, that for a moment was frightful to
contemplate.
"Ah, here they come at last," Murden said, pointing to the cart, which
was slowly creeping along, and had been screened from view by the house.
"You don't mean to say you and your men took the bushrangers without,
any 'sistance from others, do you?" Bimbo asked.
"Why, these two Americans lent their valuable aid," replied the officer,
pointing to Fred and myself.
"P'raps it would have been as well if they staid in their own country
and looked after robbers, instead of coming to Australia," replied the
dirty scamp, with an aside glance at us that spoke murder as plainly as
if he had a knife at our throats.
"Cease your grumbling," shouted Murden, angrily, "or I'll lay my bridle
over your shoulders until they ache. Why, you miserable dog, have you
not complained to me a dozen times that you feared your life was in
danger from these same prowling gangs, and that they stole your cattle
in spite of all you could do? Another word, and I'll give you cause for
muttering. Away with you. Start a fire, and then I'll set one of my men
to cook breakfast. You are too dirty to be intrusted with food."
Bimbo must have exercised a strong control over his emotions, for in
spite of the dirt and grease with which his face was smeared, I saw it
flush angrily; but no other sign of passion was displayed. He thrust his
hands into his pockets, and with a slouching gait, as though too
indolent to move without strong inducement, sauntered towards the shed
and began kindling a fire.
"A grumbling cur," muttered Murden, looking after him; "I have half a
mind to tie him up and scar his back, and see if it will not make him a
little more energetic." But with all of the bluster of the officer, I
saw that he did not suspect the man's honesty, and I was glad that he
did not.
By the time Smith had joined us with his cart and prisoners, Bimbo had
started a fire, and produced a hind quarter of a young bullock, killed
the day before, and which had been rubbed over with fine salt to protect
it from the millions of insects which infest the air of Australia. The
fellow made an offer to cut the meat for us, but a look at his hands was
sufficient to deter us from accepting the proposition.
Maurice, the lieutenant's never-failing resort when a meal was to be
prepared, was set at work to get breakfast for the officer, Fred, and
myself, while one of the men was detailed to perform the same duty for
his companions. Another man was stationed as guard over the bushrangers,
and the balance were ordered to look to their animals, which attention
consisted in watering them at a spring near the hut, and then turning
them loose with their fore legs tied together to prevent their straying
to any great distance. One animal, however, was kept ready saddled in
case of an emergency, and not permitted to roam beyond the extent of a
long rope, like the reattas of Spain or Mexico.
Although I must confess that I was intensely hungry, and tired and
sleepy with my long journey on horseback all night, yet I felt too
uneasy in my mind to spend much time eating greasy beefsteaks and
drinking strong coffee. I had watched Bimbo from the time the cart had
reached the hut to the period when the prisoners were to be allowed to
eat their morning meal; and I had noticed the nervous manner in which
the fellow had acted in spite of his assumed indifference.
Twice had he sauntered towards the cart in which the bushrangers were
still confined, and each time had the sentry ordered him back, as no
communication was allowed with the prisoners; but I saw the grim face of
Jim Gulpin raised as he heard the voice of Bimbo, and an almost
imperceptible sign passed between them.
More than ever convinced that there was an understanding with the
parties, I watched for other tokens, but in vain; and it was not until
one of the policemen ordered the stockman to carry the bushrangers' food
to them that I determined to be present and keep an eye upon his
actions.
The handcuffs were removed from the prisoners' wrists to enable them to
eat, but the irons were not taken from their feet, for Murden had no
idea of trusting them with their liberty even for a moment.
"Here's your grub," shouted Bimbo, who was allowed to pass the sentry
this time, as he had a wooden pail in his hand, none too clean, in which
the food of the prisoners was placed. "Here it is," he continued, as he
set it down in their midst, "and a darn'd sight too good for you it is
too, and mighty thankful you had oughter be that you fell into a
gentleman's hands, and one that knows how to treat you. If I had the
right I'd starve you all, blast your picters."
The ruffians replied with oaths and jeers, but they were too energetic
to be sincere, and I suspected they were intended expressly for my ear,
as I stood not far from them listening to every word that was uttered.
Had the bushrangers not said so much, I should have suspected less, and
while I pretended to be admiring the parrot, I still watched the doings
in the cart.
I saw the stockman glance around to see if his actions were observed,
and that stealthy look was like a cat's watching for its prey--I saw
that the sentry was examining the lock of his carbine, and paying no
attention to Bimbo's movements, while the rest of the men were engaged
in smoking and lounging near--and then for a moment the heads of Jim
Gulpin and the stockman were close together, as though whispering
confidentially. It was only for an instant, however. With renewed oaths
and abuse Bimbo hurried the robbers in their meal, until Murden
interfered, and ordered that they be allowed to eat in peace.
"The idea of letting such scamps as these eat," cried Bimbo, with a kick
of his bare, horny foot against one of the bushranger's ribs. "I'd sarve
'em if I had my way."
Bimbo was replied to with interest by the robbers, and to stop the noise
the lieutenant sent the fellow to the hut to get it ready for the
reception of the latter, as it was thought to be a good place to keep
them during our halt, which we expected to extend to sundown, owing to
the intense heat of the day.
The robbers were removed to the hut, and their manacles taken from their
feet, but the handcuffs still confined their hands, and as they were
chained two by two they were powerless. A sentry was posted, and the
men, glad to obtain a few hours' sleep, stowed themselves under the
shed, and wherever they could screen their faces from the sun.
Fred and myself, taking our saddles for pillows, repaired to the back
part of the hut, the coolest place we could find, and in a few minutes
both of us were sleeping soundly. I had not slept long, however, before
I was awakened by a peculiar noise, that sounded like the grating of a
saw. Instead of starting up to investigate, I pretended to sleep, and
partly opening one eye, saw to my surprise that Bimbo was on his knees
near my feet, and working with cautious energy upon a board which he was
endeavoring to remove. The instrument he was operating with was an old
knife, with notches on the blade, made to resemble a saw.
I continued my position, and by my regular breathing convinced the
fellow that I was sleeping soundly. A dozen times did he pause and
listen, and scrutinize my face, and then I read the man's true character
in his wicked eyes, for they gleamed like those of a serpent, and I saw
murder in every look.
I resolved to continue counterfeiting, and await the result. Half a
dozen times did Bimbo suspend work, and steal to the front part of the
hut to discover if his operations were suspected, and each time he
returned, and after a glance at Fred and myself, commenced work with
renewed energy.
At length a hole large enough to run his hand in was obtained, and then
I heard low whispers pass between Bimbo and the robber chief.
"You must get us out of this scrape," said Jim, authoritatively.
"But how can I at present? Better wait till night, and then I know half
a dozen coves what will strike for you. We can easily get ahead and wait
for you near the Three Forks."
"It wont do," said Gulpin, impatiently. "Go and pick the pocket of the
man that has got the key of our irons, and then we can kill every devil
connected with the troop."
"Hush," replied Bimbo, after a hurried glance at my face. "Them two
blasted Yankees are sleeping close here, and I think both of 'em has
spotted me. I'd like to cut their throats bloody well."
"I have no doubt of it," I thought, "but I'll save you the trouble."
"Go and get the key," repeated Gulpin, with an oath, "and then pass in
all the guns and knives that you can get hold of. When I give a signal,
knock down the sentry at the door, and mind that you hit him hard enough
to prevent his squalling--you understand?"
"Yes, yes; but if I do all that, what share'll I get in the swag in the
cellar? I've kept it for a long time now, and you know it."
"You shall have Darnley's share, if you do as I tell you," replied
Gulpin.
"What'll Darnley say to that?"
"He won't say much, 'cos he's stiffened out--dead as the devil."
This piece of information so elated the stockman that he did not stop to
make further inquiries, but disappeared around the corner of the house,
and when I raised my head to consult with Fred in regard to the matter,
I found that he was as wide awake as myself, and was apparently debating
what course he should pursue.
"Have you heard all?" I whispered.
Fred nodded his head, and laid his hand upon his lips. Then, by a
gesture which I understood, he counselled that we should remain quiet
for a short time, and see how matters worked.
Following this advice, however, did not prevent us from examining our
revolvers and rifles, and also bringing the handles of our bowie knives
to a better position. When Bimbo returned, with a cat-like tread, I
could see by his carrying a carbine that he had been successful; and
when I saw him thrust it into the hole, and then give up the key of the
irons, I had a great mind to shoot him on the spot.
"Here," cried Bimbo, "is the key of the ruffles. Remain quiet for half
an hour, and by that time I'll be ready for you. Remember your
word--Darnley's share."
"All right!" exclaimed the robber, grasping with his manacled hand the
precious key to his irons, and as soon as he had possession of it, Bimbo
glided away to complete his plot.
"We must be acting," said Fred, springing to his feet; and as he spoke
we sauntered to the front of the hut, and saw that the stockman was just
raising a carbine, which he had taken from a sleeping policeman.
Bimbo looked astonished when he caught sight of us, and I saw by the
flashing of his eyes that he was almost determined to begin the battle
immediately, and trust to the robbers for the result.
If such was his intention, however, he had no time to carry it into
effect, for with a sudden spring Fred landed in front of him, and with a
blow of his fist knocked the dirty fellow down, and before he could rise
a revolver was pointed at his head, and instant death threatened, if he
moved.
The noise awakened Murden and his men; and just as they began inquiring
the reason of our violence, there was a loud shout heard within the hut,
the door was rudely thrown open, and at the head of the robbers,
brandishing his carbine, was Gulpin.
The police fell back a few paces in astonishment; but a rallying cheer
from Murden reassured them, and in spite of the known desperate
characters of the bushrangers, they charged on them.
Gulpin did not stop to discharge the weapon which he held, but swinging
it over his head he brought it down upon the skull of the foremost man,
with a crash, shivering the gun into a hundred pieces, and knocking the
fellow senseless.
Gulpin did not wait to repeat the blow, but eluding the many hands
thrust out to seize him, he sprang one side, and leaving his gang to
continue the unequal combat, ran swiftly across the prairie, as though
determined to escape at all hazards, even if his gang were captured.
"The villain will escape!" shouted Murden, more anxious to secure the
person of Gulpin than his men.
The lieutenant rushed to the shed to mount the horse usually kept in
readiness, but Bimbo had turned him loose upon the plain.
With a bitter oath the officer grasped one of his men's carbines and
discharged its contents after the runaway. The ball flew wide of its
mark, and we could hear a taunting laugh from the fugitive, at his aim.
"Show me a specimen of your American skill," cried Murden, after a hasty
glance at his men, and finding that every robber was secured excepting
the chief; "cripple that devil for me, and I am your debtor for life."
Gulpin was about forty rods from us, when the lieutenant spoke, and was
running almost as rapidly as a kangaroo dog. In a few minutes he would
have been beyond our reach, and recommenced his career of crime.
Under these circumstances, Fred felt that he owed a duty to the world.
Hastily bringing his rifle to his shoulder, he glanced along its deadly
tube and fired. For a few seconds we could not perceive that the shot
had affected the bushranger, and I was about to try my skill, when the
villain staggered and fell heavily to the earth.
His leg was broken near the knee, and the bone was terribly shattered by
the rifle ball.