DAYS OF DANGER.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1373, 20 August 1895, Page 2

DAYS OF DANGER.

[Copyright.] NARRATIVES OF THE BUSHRANGING TIMES IN VAN DIEMAN’S LAND. BY CAPTAIN LA CIE. PERIOD, 1824 to 1830. THE MACQUARIE GANG. (IN FIFTEEN FAFFS.) PART V. When it became plain to Brady that neither friend or foe was in the burning house, he naturally concluded that the party must have left it during the short period in the morning when they were not watching the hut. This opinion was shared by his companions, and the question was where the settlers had taken the late convicts. Sorell seemed to them to be where they .must have gone. It was nearest, and there was a gaol there. In addition it was scarcely possible that Hobart Town could have been the destination of the settlers, for in that direction the bushrangers had sought cover. It was thus concluded that Sorell was the place where their comrades lay, and during the night Brady and his mates decided on one of the most daring enterprises ever attempted up to that time by any body of outlaws. This was nothing less than an attack on the settlement of Sorell and the release of their comrades. There were six of them and well armed, and what they lacked in numbers they made up in daring and courage. At daylight in the morning they set off in the direction which Sorell lay. They knew it could not be far to the west, but as it was necessary to keep as far as possible from beaten tracks they found that it was not so easy to reach it as they expected. It w’as near evening when they came to an eminence from which they could see the little settlement. It lay below them to the south and on the edge of a small inlet of the sea called Port Sorell. They were on the slope of the ranges which compassed the place on the north and north-west, and were favorably situated. During the day they had got some food from a settler’s house they passed. No one was in it or it would have fared badly with them, for it had been decided to kill anyone who might give information of their whereabouts. They felt so wearied that it was not advisable to make an attack that evening, which would require all their strength and vigor to carry through. It seemed like tempting providence to make such an attack at all j but Brady was a fatalist and believed that if one is born to be hanged he will not be drowned. For that reason he had a blind confidence in the success of the undertaking which rose superior to all doubts and obstacles. His followers were men of a somewhat similar stamp. Though they did not perhaps believe in fate, they looked upon life as a matter of little moment. They had scarcely anything to live for, which makes living worth the while, and they wished to gratify the wild and savage instincts of their nature by an undertaking such as proposed. In addition there was that chivalric feeling which urged them to rescue their late comrades if it was possible, and if they were in the little gaol of Sorell the attack would be a matter of duty. During the night they slept behind the rude break-wind which they raised, and luck helped them to an early meal in the shape of a wallaby which came close to them and was shot. The plan of attack was then arranged, and it was decided to do so under cover of night, or at least about dusk. The objective point would be the gaol, and if they succeeded in releasing their comrades there it would not be necessary to capture the whole settlement. If that could not be accomplished Brady determined to secure the best building he could as his headquarters and then act as circumstances might dictate. About four o’clock in the afternoon they left their retreat and went down the slope in the direction of Sorell. After going nearly two miles they came on a road which, in fact, led to Hobart Town, and here they had a narrow escape. It went over a small ledge some two hundred yards to the east, and Sinclair walked to this to make an inspection of the country on the opposite side. He had scarcely gained the summit when the remainder of the party, who were standing watching him, saw that something was amiss, for he suddenly turned and ran towards them, at the same time waving his hands violently and pointing to the scrub which lined the road. It was evident that he wanted them to hide, and this they at once did; In a few moments he came up and told them that there was a strong military party marching towards Sorell. As they lay in their concealment a number of soldiers marched by. There was fifteen altogether, and they were evidently bound for Sorrell. Brady was almost tempted to fire on them as they went along, but he restrained himself and allowed them to go unmolested. This was a rather awkward affair for them, as it would add to the difficulties of their task of rescue which they had set themselves. After the unwelcome soldiers had gone by the bushrangers followed, and they congratulated themselves on the escape they just had. If the military had surprised them they would probably have been shot down, Luck seemed to be favoring them. They reached the oustkirts of the little settlement shortly before dusk, and as it was rather early to go on they remained in a small belt of timber which stretched back to the forest. It aeemed a mad undertaking that

they were about to embark in. It would have been foolhardy before the arrival of the military party, but with an addition of fifteen soldiers to the place it appeared to be little better than madness to go on with the attempted rescue. Strange as it may seem, the arrival of the soldiers only caused the bushrangers to be more fixed in their determination. It removed their doubts that their captured comrades might be in Sorell, for they concluded that the party of military had been sent from Hobart Town to convey the prisoners to that place for trial. This, of couise, was an erroneous conclusion. The military had been despatched to Sorell after the arrival of Lieutenant Gunn at the chief town to make it their basis for expeditions into the surrounding district in search of the remaining outlaws. They looked upon the trip as a sort of pleasure-outing, for they were in charge of a jolly officer who would not unduly fatigue them or lead them on many forced marches. Brady rightly thought that the soldiers would take up their quarters in the buildings attached to the gaol. These were a sort of small barrackrooms which formed a part of the gaol. It might be said that the gaol itself was a rather capacious one. It had been built to accommodate when required the gangs of convicts who were engaged on the roads in the vicinity or some of the other public works that were undertaken from time to time. At the time of Brady’s visit it was not tenanted, as a large party of convicts had been removed to Hobart Town during the winter, which was not a favorable period lor out-door works. As night fell the outlaws consulted together as to the best way to proceed about the risky job they had on hand. It was most necessary to ascertain for certain where the soldiers were located, and at last Brady and Sinclair, who still had on the uniform clothes, volunteered to enter the straggling place and spy out what they could. This was agreed to, and as night had fallen they started on the difficult mission. There was not more than a dozen buildings altogether in the newly raised village, and a third of these were government structures. There were two small boats and a schooner at a little jetty on the bay, and it occurred to Brady and his companion that it would be an excellent idea to seize the schooner and make their escape by water. This was a matter, however, to be decided afterwards, as it was just possible there might be none of them left to escape anywhere. The two scouts made their way in the direction of the large building which they felt sure must be the gaol. Lieutenant Gunn’s servant, Rooney, had given them a description of Sorell, which was accurate enough, and as Brady looked on the settlement when he first sighted it, he convinced that the man had not deceived them. As they were going along a narrow path they were met by a man coming in an opposite direction. It was light enough to see each other at close quarters, and as they met the stranger looked very keenly at them and then stopped. “ Lookin’ for the barracks, friends ?” he asked, as he stood in front of the outlaws. “ Yes,” answered Brady, equal to the occasion. “ We’ve just come from Hobart Town, and it’s the first time we’ve been here. We should have come with the soldiers only we were too late.” The leader of the outlaws saw that the settler had mistaken them for some officials in search of the gaol, and his answer was framed accordingly. The uniform had deceived the man, for in the dusk he could make it out, but not the dilapidated condition it was in. “ You are not a hundred yards from it,” replied the man. “You can see its shadow just over there, and this path will lead you to the barrack entrance.” “We want to go there,” answered Brady. “ Yes; the soldiers arc in there now, and I suppose they will make things lively down here. They generally do,” replied the man. While this conversation was going on Sinclair had moved a few paces ahead, and then he turned and was ready for any overt act the new-comer might take. This precaution was not needed for the man was utterly unsuspicious, and in a few moments he passed on and left them to pursue their mission. Brady and his companion were pleased at thus passing muster so well, for it showed that the uniform yet stood them in good need. Of course if the man had showed fight he would have been summarily dealt with, but that might have upset their whole scheme. Following the path they soon came to a roughly built gate, which had to be lifted around to open it, the hinges of h : de having been cut or broken. The sound of human voices led them on, and they could tell from the boisterous laughter that rose on the air that they were close to the soldiers, who were evidently enjoying themselves. There was no sentry posted, and the two outlaws passed through a large shed which led to the main portion ot the gaol, and at the further end of the shed which was in darkness —they came within sight of the military. The soldiers were dispersed about a large stone-built room in various positions, but the first glance' sufficed to show to the experienced eyes of the two bushrangers that they were supposed to be engaged in the occupation of cleaning their muskets. These weapons weie lying about in pieces, the barrels having been separated from the stocks ; and from a few words which reached the ears of the listening men they coneluded that the redcoats were waiting for hot water with which to wash the gun-barrels. As if by inspiration an idea flashed into Brady’s mind. Why not attack the soldiers while they were practically helpless for want of the firearms ? He whispered the thought eagerlv into his

companion’s ear, and, as though both were of the same mind, they silently, turned and made their way out of the building in the direction of their companions. _ i In a few minutes they rejoined the waiting outlaws and quickly communicated what they had just seen and the idea formed as to the course to pursue. They were unanimous on the scheme, and within a minute the whole party had set off after Brady, who quickly led the way. The intervening space seemed to be deserted, as they did not meet a human being on the way, and they soon found themselves in the wooden shed. Goi .to the further end, Brady peepf and saw that the soldiers wen 3 defenceless a position as beh . large iron pot stood in the cen ae room, and from the steam issi rn it the contents were apparc tt water. As Brady looked he s |oldiers dip out some of the wat / ' ishes and begin to clean out sleet-barrels. Now was the time tnd, beckoning to his comrade ime up. “ | all ready ?” the leader ask< A sponse in the affirmative was made, and almost before it sounded the leader stepped forward, and, with levelled musket, entered the room. He was instantly followed by his companions, and as they all filed in Brady, called on the assembled soldiers to surrender, ! Had the devil himself appeared the men could not have been more surprised, as they stood in mute irresolu-! tion for a few moments looking blankly! at their captors. j Sergeant James, who was nearest the doorway, was the first to move, and he stooped to pick up a bayonet that lay on the floor near him. As he did so Brady jumped forward and brought down his musket heavily on the skull of the luckless sergeant who fell to the floor stunned. “If you want to die make the least resistance!” he cried to the wavering soldiers, at the same time pointing his musket at the one nearest him. The soldiers saw that resistance would certainly mean death for, at any rate, some of them, and as none wanted the distinction of being killed they suffered themselves to be taken prisoners. In addition to the soldiers the constable, who had charge of the gaol during its periods of emptiness, was present, and Brady was too well acquainted with such people not to know him. Going to the man he asked him to give up, what keys he had, and, knowing it was useless to refuse, he reluctantly complied with his request. Brady then in a few words told the expectant men that he would not harm them, unless they acted contrary to his wishes, and, after finding out the; en-, trance to the gaol, he led the way to it. Opening one of the largest rooms which was used as a sleeping ward when the place was occupied, he locked the soldiers and the constable up in it. This done he turned his attention to the other parts of the building, but it seemedto .be deserted. The quarters that belonged to the constable were also empty of human occupants, though that official had himself told them that his wife lived there. She could not be found, and Brady concluded that she must be gossiping with some of the neighbors. Being now master of the gaol and the soldiers, the outlaws resolved to keep a strict watch during the night and surprise anyone who might come to the place. They had learned after a close search that their late comrades were not at Sorell at all, and they were thus robbed of the expected fruits of their desperate enterprise. j Going back to the room where the cleaning of the weapons had been commenced, Brady ordered two of the bushrangers to complete the work, and afterwards the whole of the arms were gathered up and so arranged that each of the outlaws could carry four. This was a rather heavy burthen, but it was worth the trouble. I Brady had ascertained that the lieutenant in charge of the soldiers had gone over to the government agent, who had charge of the stores in a building at the beginning of the jetty, and as it was important that these officials should be captured, the leader decided to go to the place with a couple of his most trusty men and either capture or kill them. So far not a shot had been fired, and the outlaws thought that the little settlement was entirely ignorant, of their presence. This, however, was not so; and, as usual, a woman was instrumental in spreading the news. This was the constable’s wife, who left her quarters to get a glimpse of the new arrivals in the red coats. 1 It was while having a surreptitious peep that she had seen the attack and. capture of the soldiers and her hus-, band. She was a woman of resource, and, knowing that her presence would not help the constable much, she quietly slipped out of the building and made towards the agent’s home, where, she knew the lieutenant was. She soon communicated the startling news to the two men, and when she had described the appearance of the men the officers knew that they must be the very party that the soldiers had come to hunt down. ! The tables had been turned with a vengeance, for the would-be captors were now locked up in the Sorell gaol by the bushrangers. It was a critical and awkward situation to be in, and both Lieutenant Lacey and the agent recognised that instant action was necessary. It was almost certain that the next place the outlaws would make for would be the government stores, and as. the two men could scarcely hope to make a successful resistance flight would be necessary. The agent was not married and in a few minutes he had secured all he wanted, and with Lacey and the woman left the place and returned to a settler’s house, about half a mile away on the edge of the beach. DD 3 o j (to be continued, J |