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The Gold Hunter's Adventures by William H. Thomes

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"I certainly think that you are," returned the little man, bluntly; "and
it is a matter of surprise to me that I see you in the company of a man
who has, during his trading at the mines, borne a good character."

This was a hard dig at Smith, and he sought to explain, but Fred checked
him.

"If we should prove to you that we are honest men, I suppose that you
would be willing to make an ample apology for the manner in which you
have addressed us?" Fred said.

The little man smiled sarcastically, and intimated that he should be
most happy.

"Then," Fred exclaimed, drawing a paper from his pocket and handing it
to the little man, "you will please to read that, and see if you are
acquainted with the signatures."

The stranger called for a candle, for it was nearly dark, and by its
light began perusing the document.

"What is this?" he muttered; "a bill of sale of two horses, formerly
owned by the police of Melbourne, to Messrs. Frank ---- and James ----,
signed by Hansen, the captain of police, and Murden, lieutenant. Can it
be possible? Yes, it must be; I understand it all."

The little man threw himself upon us, grasped each of our hands, and to
the intense astonishment of all present, began shaking them as though he
was working a pump.

"How could I be so mistaken?" he asked. "I really thought; but, pshaw,
my suspicions were so absurd."

"What's the row?" demanded big Ben, who began to feel the effects of the
chemical whiskey.

"There is no row, only I am happy to say that I made a mistake in my
man," the little person said.

"What, ain't they men, after all?" shouted Ben; "if they ain't men,
they must be wimmin, and that's all the better; if one of 'urn wants a
husbin' I'm the feller for her!"

"Their past conduct don't prove that they are women!" cried the little
man. "They are the two Americans who are known all over the island as
bushranger hunters. We have all read an account of their doings in the
Melbourne papers, and we welcome them to the mines, and hope that they
will be as successful here as they have been elsewhere."

"The devil they is; why, I thought when I seen that ere feller stand up
to be shot at, that he had smelled gunpowder afore. Give us your hands,
my chickens! Cuss me, if ye ain't an honor to the States!"

We hardly dared trust our hands within Ben's grip, yet when we did so,
we were delightfully surprised to find that he was reasonable.

"Well, I allers said that they was all right!" cried Charley, who turned
with the tide; "the instant I seed 'um insulted, I knew that I should be
on the right side. You wouldn't like to pay for the whiskey which has
been drunk, would you?" he asked, in an undertone.

Fred put a number of gold coins in his hand, but whether our sponging
friend was overpaid, or whether the money fell short, I never knew, as I
saw the little man give him a glance that was very expressive of his
disapprobation, and with an ashamed look, the fellow slunk back to his
whiskey cask.

"Come, gentlemen," said the little man; "this is no place for tired
travellers. Let us retire, and leave the crowd to drink themselves
drunk."

We followed his advice, and in a few minutes had left the dissipated
miners to their revels.




CHAPTER XXXVI.

ARRIVAL AT BALLARAT.--MR. BROWN'S STORY.


We walked slowly along the main street of Ballarat, and chatted with our
new friend on a variety of subjects. He appeared to be well informed on
mining, and shrugged his shoulders when we intimated that our intention
was to get rich by delving in the earth, and bringing its riches to
light.

"By the way," our new acquaintance said, "it is a little singular that
Murden did not give you a letter to me. He knows that I am stationed
here, and that I would do all in my power to assist his friends."

I suddenly recollected, that just before we left Melbourne, Murden did
scribble off a letter, and hand it to me, with a remark, that perhaps it
might be useful to us. I had forgotten the circumstance, but I knew
where the note was, and I determined to hunt it up as soon as I returned
to my tent.

"I have a letter from the lieutenant," I said; "but if I am not
mistaken, it is addressed to a Mr. Brown, although where Mr. Brown is
to be found is more than I can tell."

The little man laughed in a quiet manner, as though he did not wish to
commit himself by being too jovial.

"I think that you have hit upon the right one," he said, "for my name is
Brown."

"Then you shall have the note," I replied; "but I should never have
thought of looking for the one that it is addressed to."

"O, yes you would," he replied, confidently.

"Why do you think so?" I asked.

"Because you will hear my name mentioned oftener at Ballarat than any
other."

"And pray, may we he so bold as to ask what your position is, that gives
you so great a notoriety?"

"Ask? To be sure you may," returned the little man; "I am the police
inspector of Ballarat, and my name is James Brown, very much at your
service."

"We have mingled with the police so much since we have been in
Australia, that we almost consider ourselves as belonging to the
department. We are therefore sorry that we were not introduced to your
notice under better auspices," Fred said.

"O, you alluded to that shooting affair to-night. That did not amount to
much, although I must say that I wish you had killed the bully, for he
has given me more trouble than any other man at the mines. He is as
desperate a scoundrel as ever went unhanged, and had he been killed
outright, there are few who would mourn his fate."

"That may be true, yet I have always a great repugnance to shedding
human blood," replied Fred, in a sorrowful tone.

Mr. Inspector Brown stopped for a moment, as though surprised by the
answer.

"I had the same kind of feeling once, yet it is many years since. A long
residence in Australia has blunted all my finer sensibilities, and I
have witnessed so much crime and cruelty, that I am unmoved now, even
when a poor wretch is gasping forth his last words. I have often thought
that I would give all the gold that the mines of Australia yield if I
was but young again, and possessed the same sympathizing heart that I
did once."

By this time we had reached our tent, and our approach was challenged by
a deep bay from Rover, whom we had left to guard our baggage.

"A splendid animal," remarked the inspector, as he sought to lay his
hand upon Rover's head; but the dog resented the liberty, and growled
menacingly.

"He deserves all your praise," I replied, pleased at the conduct of the
brute, and doubly pleased to hear a deserved tribute to his ability.

"If you ever feel disposed to part with him," the inspector hinted, "I
will not haggle about his price."

"I will never sell him," I answered.

"Where did you obtain him, for I see that he is of English breed?" asked
Inspector Brown.

We entered the tent, where we found Smith, who had preceded us from the
Californian's Retreat, and, after finding a seat for Mr. Brown, we
related the manner in which Rover had started us by his deep bays, on
the night of our first encampment by the hut of the old convict.

"And Black Darnley--when you met him, did the dog appear to recognize
him as the author of the murder?" asked the inspector, who appeared
deeply interested in our narrative.

I related the scene in the forest, when the bold outlaw yielded up his
life to satisfy the vengeance of an enraged father; and when I had
concluded, the little, dark man's eyes gleamed as though he had taken
part in the battle.

"How I should liked to have been with you!" he exclaimed; "I can imagine
your feelings, as you crept through the forest, and awoke the
bushrangers with the crack of your rifles. No wonder the
governor-general wished to secure your services in the police force."

"How did you learn that?" I asked, astonished at his knowledge.

"A friend at Melbourne wrote to me to that effect, and also sent me
newspapers containing your exploits. The last brush that you had with
Murden was more exciting than any other that you ever engaged in."

"How did you know that we had been so engaged?" asked Fred.

"By rumor. A team reached this place this evening, and the driver
reports that he met Murden fifty miles from Melbourne, with eight or ten
bushrangers as prisoners. From one of the police he gained his
information that two Americans were participants in the fight. Of course
I arrived at the conclusion that both of you were present. Come, tell me
all about it."

"On condition that you relate one or two of your life adventures," Fred
said.

"Agreed."

Fred commenced from the time when we began our search for gold,
(although he wisely omitted all mention of finding any,) and recounted
the surprise, and our capture--the rescue by Murden--the fight--the
attempt of the bushrangers to burn us by firing the woods--an escape,
and promise to Steel Spring, (at the mention of whose name Mr. Brown
smiled, as though acquainted with the reputation of the treacherous
wretch,) if he would guide us to the retreat of Nosey--the fulfilment of
his promise, and the death of the bushranger chief, and the capture of
his gang.

"A splendid, stirring time you had of it," said Mr. Brown, rubbing his
sinewy hands as though he liked to work, and was impatient to think that
he had not been there.

"But you," Fred said, "must have seen many rough times during your long
service at the mines."

"My fights have been more with single men, or at least, not over three
at a time. You were speaking of Black Darnley, and the manner in which
he met his fate. I never encountered him but once, and then he slipped
through my fingers; and whether the fellow concluded that we pressed him
too hard, or thought that better opportunities for stealing existed near
the forest, I can't say; but, at any rate, I never heard of his being
nearer Ballarat than twenty-five miles after we met."

"If not too much trouble, please relate an account of it," I said.

The little man glanced at his watch, and saw that the hour was still
early, and after asking our permission to light his pipe, which we
readily accorded, and joined him with pleasure in the same agreeable
occupation, he began:--

"I think it was about three months since, when a party of three miners,
who had accumulated a considerable amount of treasure by working in
these mines, concluded that they would sell out their claim and return
to Sydney, and from thence take ship to England, where they belonged.
For the sake of saving the small percentage that government charges on
sending gold dust to Melbourne, or Sydney, under the escort of soldiers,
the miners concluded that they would guarantee its safety.

"I explained to them that they were running a great risk, as I had heard
that Darnley was in the neighborhood; but they only laughed at my
warnings, and pointed to their long knives and smooth-bored guns, and
intimated that the bushranger must be a bold man who dared to ask them
to stand and deliver.

"If I had not often heard such boasts, perhaps I might have been
deceived; but I knew many men, both brave and daring, who had quailed at
the sight of an armed bushranger, so I put no confidence in the stories
of what they intended to do in case of an attack. I considered it my
duty to warn them once more, and when that failed, I let them leave the
mines without further remonstrance.

"I think that it was the third day after the miner's departure, that I
was sitting in my office, making out a few records that were to be sent
to Melbourne, when, to my surprise, one of the pig-headed follows
presented himself before me. I should hardly have known him, he was so
changed. His feet were bare and bleeding, his clothes were torn into
shreds, and his whole appearance of the most abject and wretched
description.

"I asked a few questions, but for a long time my visitor could not
answer me, so overcome was he with grief. He shed tears, upbraided
himself for his obstinacy, and refused to be comforted. At length, by
the aid of a few glasses of stimulants, I was enabled to learn his
story. It was as I had half supposed.

"About twenty-five miles from Ballarat, a singular looking genius had
joined them, and requested permission to travel in their company. He
manifested so much fear of robbers, and told about his aristocratic
relatives, and the large amount of money on his person, that a ready
assent was given to his request."

"It must have been Steel Spring," I said.

The little man nodded his head in token of assent, and continued:--

"At noon, on the day that Steel Spring joined the party, a halt was
proposed, under the shade of a gum tree that stood near the road. The
miners, tired with the long walk, readily consented, and after partaking
of their humble fare, Steel Spring produced a bottle, and invited all to
join him in a friendly drink. He did not have to ask twice, and although
no suspicions were entertained by the miners, the relater of the
transaction told me that he noticed that Steel Spring's sups at the
flask were short, and not at all frequent.

"The treacherous scamp, after he had won their confidence by relating
some incidents connected with his early life, began to examine the guns
which the miners carried; and after he had finished, and when the men
were about ready to commence their journey, a stout, dark-faced,
ferocious-looking man appeared before them. He soon made known his
intentions, for in his belt he carried a pair of pistols, and at his
shoulder, with glistening eyes glancing along the barrel, sighting the
first one that offered to stir, was a heavy gun, with a bore like a
blunderbuss.

"For a few seconds they stood thus, not a word being spoken, when
suddenly Steel Spring, with a pretended cry of terror, threw himself at
the feet of the stranger and shouted for mercy. It was a trick of his,
and well he played his part; yet the miners did take up their guns, but
found that the priming had been removed by Steel Spring while they were
drinking his liquor.

"The instant the poor fellows made a motion towards repriming, the
bushranger discharged his gun, and one fell. The other two, struck with
awe at the sight of their comrade's blood, turned and fled--but a pistol
shot brought down one of them, while, by good fortune, the third
escaped, and brought to me a narrative of his sufferings.

"He had lost all of his hard earnings, for the gold dust was in their
knapsacks, and left behind, a prize to Black Darnley. The survivor
begged of me, nay, entreated, and promised half that he had lost if I
would only recover his wealth. In fact, he appeared to be much more
anxious to get his gold than avenge the death of his comrades; and
amidst all his grief, he had the impudence to ask me if I did not
consider that he was entitled to the wealth of his partners in case I
recovered it. I was almost tempted to turn him out of my room, but I
thought that it would do no good; I recollected that I had a public duty
to perform, and I made preparations for an immediate departure. I took
with me but three men, stout fellows whom I knew I could rely upon, and
whose courage had been tested in a dozen fights.

"We armed ourselves with pistols and rifles, and mounting the fastest
horses that we could command, started for the scene of robbery, in hope
of tracking the villains to their retreat, and bringing them to speedy
justice. We reached the tree, near where the murders had been committed,
but no bodies were in sight. A short distance from the road, however,
was a long line of dried weeds and rank grass, and as I observed a
number of birds of prey sailing over the place, I concluded that I
should find the remains of the men there. I was not disappointed.

"The bodies had been dragged out of sight of the road, and then rifled
of every thing of value. I did not stop to give the poor fellows burial
then, because every moment was of importance; but after we had concluded
the expedition, my men returned and covered them with earth, and placed
a rude cross at their heads.

"We examined attentively for a trail to show the direction that the
robbers had taken, and luckily found it without difficulty. It led in a
direct course towards Sydney, and it was evident that Darnley intended
to cross the country for about fifty miles, and then strike for the
common road, so that he could get provisions or water from those who
happened to be passing.

"I studied on the matter for a few minutes, and wondered why they should
choose such an extraordinary course; at last I came to the conclusion
that the murderers were really bound for Sydney, and that they had an
object in view, and were determined to get there as soon as possible--or
why should they go over a mountainous country, when they might have kept
the woods?

"The course which they had evidently taken was many miles shorter than
the usual route, but a road that a horse could not travel.

"I suddenly recollected, while my men were following the trail for the
purpose of seeing if my surmise's were correct, that the miners had
deposited in the Sydney bank about a thousand pounds, and that it was
subject to their order. Their certificates of deposit must have been
upon their persons when murdered, and Darnley would not scruple to
boldly present himself at the bank, or else send Steel Spring to secure
the money. I reasoned in that manner, and then concluded to act as
though my surmises were facts.

"I recalled the men, and we started towards Sydney without a moment's
delay. I knew that both robbers were fast travellers, but I calculated
that I could reach the point at which they would strike the Sydney road
as soon, if not sooner, than they did.

"In this I was disappointed; for although we rode all night, and only
stopped long enough to recruit the strength of our animals, yet when I
made an inquiry of a party bound for Ballarat, I found that two men, who
stated that they were from the mines, had purchased provisions and water
from them, and then continued on their course, as though they had not a
moment to lose. It was noon when the information was given, and the
murderers were seen at daylight. They had ten hours the start of us,
but, nothing daunted, we pushed on, making inquiries of those whom we
met, yet not a word of news could be obtained. I did not wonder much at
that, for I knew that Darnley would avoid the high road as much as it
was possible, and only strike it to obtain provisions. I also knew that
he would conduct himself in a discreet manner, for fear of starting an
alarm; and that he would forego all thoughts of pillage for the sake of
carrying through the business which he had undertaken.

"Hoping to reach Sydney before him, I pressed on night and day, and only
stopped long enough to recruit our animals when there was a prospect of
their breaking down. On the forenoon of the fourth day after leaving
Ballarat we entered Sydney, and rode direct to the bank. I inquired if
the murdered men had money deposited there, and found that they had, and
that no attempt to draw the same had been made. With a brief caution to
the cashier not to pay out the amount, and to arrest any one who asked
for it, I mounted my force on fresh horses and again sought the road on
which I expected Darnley.

"I did not report myself to the police of Sydney, for I was determined
to win all the honor, or sustain all the disgrace, of an encounter with
Darnley. Perhaps afterwards I felt sorry that I had not obtained
assistance, but I never acknowledged it to those in authority. I made an
excuse that was considered sufficient for my course, and there the
matter rested.

"About twelve o'clock on the day that we reached Sydney, we discovered
our men trudging along the road, disguised in a manner that at first
almost deceived me, and I called myself well acquainted with the persons
of Darnley and Steel Spring. I allowed them to get within a few feet of
us, when I suddenly called upon them to stop. Up to this time it was
evident that neither suspected us, but upon my speaking, I saw Darnley's
hand thrust into his bosom, and I knew what he was searching for.

"'You are our prisoners,' I said, covering the person of Darnley with a
pistol that I had never known to fail me.

"'You are mistaken in your men,' he answered, edging away from my horse.

"'It's no mistake," I replied; "I arrest you, Black Darnley, for the
murder of two miners.'

"Still keeping my eyes upon the bushranger, and suffering my men to
attend to Steel Spring, who cowed as though overwhelmed by despair, I
disengaged one foot from the stirrup, and was just about dismounting,
when I saw the villain draw a pistol and aim at me. He was so quick that
I had no time to defend myself; but his rapid movement started the
horse, and he shied just enough to save me and receive the contents of
the pistol.

"The poor brute bounded and dashed against my companions, overturning
two of them, and nearly unhorsing the other; and while I was picking
myself up from the road, where I had been thrown, I heard a hoarse
laugh, and saw Darnley and Steel Spring bounding over a fence that
enclosed a number of acres of growing grain.

"Frantic with rage, I sighted them with my pistol, but the cap alone
exploded; and before I could draw another, the murderers were out of
sight. I looked towards my companions, to ask why they did not use their
weapons, and I found that two of them were just picking themselves up
from the middle of the road, and the third was going towards Sydney at a
rapid rate, and in despite of his utmost exertions to stop the animal
upon which he was mounted.

"I shouted to the men to follow me, but only one obeyed; the other had
broken an arm in his fall, and was groaning over it piteously. We sprang
over the fence and followed the trail through the grain, each step
leading us away from the city and assistance, but I thought not of that.
My whole desire was to grapple with the villains, and either capture
them or end their career. I encouraged my companion to keep up with me
in the pursuit; but I was either fleeter of foot, or else he sadly
lagged behind, for after ten minutes running I was left alone.

"I knew that it would be useless to return to the city and ask for
assistance, and in fact, to tell the truth, I didn't want to be laughed
at, as I knew that I should be after telling my story. So on I went,
running with all my might after two men, either of whom was a match for
me in a fair hand to hand fight.

"At length I caught sight of the murderers, and I redoubled my speed;
and as I ran I placed fresh caps upon my pistols, and prayed that they
would not disappoint me in my extremity. The villains saw me close at
their heels, but they did not stop, supposing, of course, that I was
backed by my men. Once or twice I saw Darnley look over his shoulder as
though calculating the distance between us, so that I was not much
surprised when he stopped suddenly, and aimed his undischarged pistol at
my head.

"That act stopped me in double quick time, for I had heard accounts of
Darnley's proficiency with the pistol, and I thought I would exchange
shots with him instead of coming to close quarters.

"I think that I owe my life to the speed with which Darnley had been
running, and I am certain he escaped from the same cause, for when I
raised my pistol I could hardly hold it in a straight line. We fired
both at the same time. I felt something strike my side that appeared to
burn like a coal of fire, and when I put my hand to the spot it was soon
covered with blood.

"I staggered and fell; but even as I did so, I looked towards the
bushranger to see if my shot had taken effect, I heard him exclaim,--

"'Hang him, he's hit me on the shoulder. I'll murder him for it!'

"'And get kotched by the beaks vile doing so!' rejoined Steel Spring,
who appeared more anxious for flight than for blood.

"I remember seeing the ruffian start towards me, and then all was a
blank until I awoke in the hospital at Sydney, where, by the way, I was
obliged to stay for two weeks before I could get the physician's consent
to let me return to Ballarat, and nearly three more passed before I was
a well man."

"Did Darnley strike you after you fell?" asked Fred.

"He had no time, as I was afterwards informed. Just as he advanced
towards me, the fellow I had outstripped appeared in sight, and the
bushranger evidently thought that it was better to beat a retreat."

"And the gold, did you recover that?"

"Not a penny's worth, with the exception of that in the bank on deposit.
I found out the relatives of the men murdered, and sent it to them, and
very glad they were to get it."

"And the miner who escaped--where is he?"

"Here in Ballarat, a dissipated, shiftless wretch. The loss of his gold
ruined him, for he has not had ambition enough to do a day's work
since."

"Is the inspector here?" cried a man, thrusting his head into the tent
just as Mr. Brown had concluded.

"Yes; what is wanting?" the little man asked.

"There's a big fight at the 'Pig and Whistle' saloon, sir, and it's
pistols they is using, sure," replied the visitor.

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