A WANGAOTI BOY'S EXPERTENCE AMONGST A BAND OF GAROTTERS IN NEW YOKK.

North Otago Times, Issue 777, 21 July 1890, Page 4

A WANGAOTI BOY'S EXPERTENCE AMONGST A BAND OF GAROTTERS IN NEW YOKK.

Mr Greenwood waa one night, or rather morning, returning homo to hia hotel in Now York from a dance, ami elected to mako a nhort cut through some of the less fashionable and fro* quontocl Btroets, and in doing ho met with an adventure, out of whloh ho only cams w th a whole skin owing to being acquainted with tho art of nolf defence. Whilst walking along with his ooat on his arm, he hoard footstops behind bin, and fearing danger from Ottud bags, bobbed aside, but as he did so was kneoked off his I'cot and Hot upon by several ruffians, who proceeded at onco to pinion hia arms. Having spourod their viotim the men carried him down a eida street and through a doorway and along a paeuagQ to a email room in the basement of a low don, where they found several other ruffians. Having boon deposited on the ground, tho cords were removed from Mr Greenwood's arms and he was iav'itod to hand over all hia cash. He said he would do no, but he told them that ho only possessed a few dollars which they wore welcome to. They then told him to take off bis coat, (he waa in evening dress), which he did, but objeoted to divest himsolf of hia waintcoat>. One of bis captors then endeavored to remove his vest by violence, but this was more* thnn colonial flesh and blood could otund, so he let out with his left and floored the man who was trying to possess himself of his raiment. Having ttruok the first blow, " Charley ' waited for tho man to regain his feet, ar d then nqnared up to him, and the two wont at it hammer and tongs. The onlookorn appoaied to enjoy tho fun, aud stood around watohing the fight with inter oat. Greenwood found his oarly Wanganui training in the noble art of self defence had not been thrown away, and he was able to give a very good acoount of himself. After the fight had hated for about throb or four minutes Obarley felt that unless he made an effort to escape bis life would bo iv jeopardy, for ho thoroughly recognised that ho w»o the prisoner ot o desperate gang of rnfliana who would probably stop at nothing, and some of whom he noticed were armed with daggers. Keeping his eyes about him he saw that the door of tho room was hf»lf open and a man standing near it bnd his ( Greenwood's ) overcoat on his arm, and held a stiletto 1 in hia hand, Watching his opportunity, he landed one straight from the shoulder between his assailant* oyea, and with one bound made for tho door; and, coming to tho man on guard, snatched his coat off his arm and the dagger out of his hand, and then rushed down the paasage, whero he was followed in full cry by tho whole gang. Approaching the door leading into tho etreofc, Greonwood noticed, ao his consternation, that it was bolted, but it was too lato to hesitate; so, putting on full speed, charged the door with all his force, and was lucky enough to burst cloan through it, and struggle into tho street-, whore he found his lovel on tho broad of his back. lie hardly had time to piok himself up, when ho saw a log of one of bis pursuers coming through tho broken door. Ho at once determined to make a good record, and startun off down the streot at a paoe which even his brother Harry oould not hope to boat. Having gone about throe or four hundred yards, he oame across a policeman, who stopped him, and inquired what the " Britisher " was up to. Mr Greenwood having briefly explained tho affair, tho officer sprung hia rattle, and in a few moments they were joined by four othor policemen, and the party proceednd to tho eoeno of tho late affray. To their surprise, not a aign of tho desperadoes was to bo neen, and their late victim had to be content with having got off aa safely en bo did, and, aa the police officers tuld him, thank his luoky stars that he had emerged from tho pluco with a whole skin, We have gleaned these particulars from Mr Gieonwood in the oourso of a conversation, and publish thorn for tho booefib of our readers, who will doubtless take interest in the adventures of bo well-known and popular a Wanganui boy aa Charley Greenwood.-— Wangmui Herald,