A WEST COAST ADVENTURE. By Owen Quaintly. (original.)

Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 69, 24 March 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

A WEST COAST ADVENTURE. By Owen Quaintly. (original.)

Upwards of fivo or six and twenty years ago a man whom I shall call Stephen March met with an adventure of a most extraordinary and exciting kind while returning to a West Coast township from an interior "diggers' camp." It is not necessary tc particularise this diggings further than to state that it was as famous in its timo as Gabriel's Gully or Turner's Flat, though situated far to the north of these places. For obvious reasons the names of the principal actors have been slightly altered ; in other respects the narrative is strictly historical, and March is still alive, a successful iran of business. It was towards the close of a cold, drizzling day that Stephen March, damp and weary, after nine or ten hours hard walking over a rough and lonely track, found himself entering a tract of bush through which Ms way led for several miles ere open ground would again be reached, in the neighbourhood of the township he was making for. On ontering the , bush, the gloom deepened ra2>idly underneath the waving titokis, the mast-like stems of the kihakatoas and rimus, and the graceful troeforns; whilst the damp-laden rangioras and koromikos which lined the trail, and against which our traveller brushed as he strode hastily along, showered down quantities of moisture, drenching him to the skin, again and again. Now and then a tui gave forth its rich bell-like notos ; and soon the morepork was known by his peculiar cry. The way rapidly grew more obscure, for night was closing in fast, and the branches, interlacing overhead, added to the gloom. As the rain continued to fall, it was a miserable prospect for a man who had eight or nine miles to tramp ere reaching the first house on tho outskirts of the settlement. A weka here and there scuttling hastily across the trail was the only living object which met his view. The way being now loss defined, and March becoming more and more doubtful as to whether he ayes keeping the right course or not, came to a full stop, and was just debating whether or not to stretch his blanket over a couple of poles, thus forming a rude tent, and " doss " out for the night, when he thought he heard human voices ahead. He advanced with caution, and a couple of chains farther on, in a sudden bend, came upon a tent pitched in a secluded nook, in front of which was a small fire, struggling with the rain, under the lee of a large rock. To March's enquiry of " Anyone in there ?" an answering '• Who's there " was returned, and a dark, fierce bearded face, surmounted by an old white wideawake felt hat, was thrust forth from the tent entrance. Apparently satisfied, 'the man emerged into the ruddy glow of the flickering firelight. Seeing the forlorn appearance of the •weary way-f arer, the owner of . this uninviting physiognomy, after a keen scrutiny, bade T^m enter the tent, where he found two other men. They asked March several questions in a rather suspicious manner, and being apparently satisfied, provided him with a welcome pannikin of tea, some damper, and a piece of cold boiled mutton, which were very acceptable. Now, good easy Stephen was not a man of a suspicious temperament, and took his entertainers for honest prospectors on their way up to the diggings ; therefore he talked freely enough to them, and commencing to dry Ms blankets and clothing, found his matches and other contents of his pockets very damp. Amongst other things was a roll of bank-notes, in value about £75 or £80, which he incautiously drew forth, and commenced carefully to dry before the camp fire. At this time he was under the impression that the others had retired to rest on a heap of fresh fern within the tent. Suddenly he felt bis arms pinioned behind him, as a hoarse voice hissed in his ear, "Keep quiet, or you are a dead, man." The nest moment he was blindfolded, forced to stand upright, • and strictly searched. They soon relieved him of about fifty ounces of good gold, sewn in a belt, wMch he wore round his waist next his body. The robbers held a hurried consultation amongst themselves, but in co low a tone that March did not understand what decision they arrived at. He was not long kept in suspense, however, for one man taking his right arm, another his left, whilst the third seemed to lead the way, they dragged their victim deep into the recesses of the wood and tied him firmly, as was afterwards proved, with the tent cords, to a large tree. The situation was now assuming a very serious aspect ; one of the robbers seemed to wish for March's death, saving, " Dead men don't peach." The others seemed to think " the feller was right enough as he was, seem' how as he were fast an' tight, an' couldn't get away nohow," as one of the/v said; so they decamped. Imagine the horror of poor March in such a predicament ; firmly bound to the tree, away from all assistance, what remained but the prospect of a horrible, lingering death. But he was a brave man, and not easily cast down. He struggled fiercely with his bonds, as soon as he considered his enemies were out of hearing. After several hours

fages they seemed to poor Stephen) of turnings and twistings he managed to get first one hand and then the other free ; the rest was soon accomplished, and with bleeding hands he started in the direction he supposed the Waiuku (a small creek in the bush, with which ho was familiar) lay. His thirst was great and Ms person covered with blood, produced by lacerations from the tent cords, lie wandered on, struggling through tMckets of lawyer and supplejack ; the rain waa over and a faint light arising in the east when he reached tho banks, not of the creek, but of the main rivor of that district. Descending a shelving part of the bank, he satisfied Ms thirst, and was about to commence Ms .ablutions when he heard men crashing through the bush, as if coming towards him. Apprehensive of re-capture he waded into the river, and getting up to a steep part of the bank, stood with barely his head above water. Strange as it may seem, the men came and stood immediately above where he was concealed. He distinctly heard their conversation, by which he [ learned they were indeed his ene- | mies, come back to finish Mm, and finding him gone, had trailed him to tho river, where they lost hope of overtaking him.' They evidently considered March had swam across to the other bank. One of the robbers swore roundly at Ms mates for not letting him make away with March in the first instance. TMnking it best to decamp before the alarm could be given by March, they retraced thoir steps. It was some time before Stephen ventured to come forth from his concealment ; and he had scarcely done so when around a bend in the river to Ms left swept a cargo boat. It may here be explained that "tucker" and "truck" was conveyed by a class of boats specially constructed for the purpose, and manned by crews of four or five hardy fellows, up tMs very identical river to the diggings which Stephen March had left the day before. It was now broad daylight, and he recognised some of the faces aboard the approacMng craft. He hailed, and they put into the bank and took Mm aboard. They were soon aware of his night's adventure. Giving him some food, they plied their oars briskly, and in two or tM-ee hours were miles down the river. On reacMng the little town for which March had been making originally, information was immediately given to the local constable, who, being on the alert, arrested three men who shortly afterwards put in an appearance, having come by an overland route. They were immediately identified by March, and proved to be a notorious busM'anger named Sullivan and Ms two associates — men who had been "wanted" on various charges by the police for the last six or eight months. Great was their astonishment at the wonderful rapidity with which justice had overtaken them. It appeared they had returned to mako sure of March, and murder Mm probably; but, finding he had escaped, resolved to leave tent and swags behind and make tracks as quickly as possible for the nearest port, hoping to make their escape with their booty by some coastal vessel before the alarm was given; but they had not taken the cargo boats into consideration. They were brought to trial ; Sullivan, the man who had counselled murder, was sentenced to 15 years' hard labour, and the others to 10 years each. Mr. March, now a prosperous, hale old gentleman, often treats Ms friends to an account of Ms " adventure on the West Coast," to their great wonder and delight.