The Premier as a Bushranger.

Otago Witness, Issue 2525, 6 August 1902, Page 72

The Premier as a Bushranger.

As is well known, Lord Salisbury wae for some time at Bendigo, Australia, the year after gold had "been found. His stay in tho place, . though brief, proved, quit© long enough ior an amusing little adventure. One day his Lordship started for a walk through the bush, and so thoroughly did he enjoy it that he went much further than he at first intended. He had quitted the main track-, and though, he tried to console hjmself with the thought that he was sure of the direction he should take in returning, he became somewhat uneasy.

At last the future Premier of England reluctantly persuaded himself that he was "lost in the bush," and suoh an experience, despite a certain romantic side, was no joke to a man whose app&tito had become exasperatingly keen. V*ry soon, however, two men emerged from the bu«h, and noticing, to his great satisfaction, that they were in clerical clothes, young Cecil quickly advanced and asked them the way.

The two clergymen stared at the speaker for a moment, then simultaneously turned tail, with every possible expression of alarm, and rushed off at headlong speed from the scene. The lost traveller was greatly surprised at such conduct, but continued his way, and fortunately reached Bendigo that night.

A few evenings afterwards the present Marquess was invited to a friend's house to dinner, and in the drawing room found himself being introduced to the runaway clerics, who, however, did not recognise him. "Do yon remember having seen me before?" he said to one of them.

"No," was tho reply; "I don't think I do."

"Well, you have certainly run away from me on one occasion," lie continued. "Oh, was that really you?" asked the clergyman, a light dawning in his eyes. "Why, we felt cure you were a bushranger!"