HOW THE GERALDINE RIFLES WERE SURPRISED.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3606, 21 April 1886, Page 3

HOW THE GERALDINE RIFLES WERE SURPRISED.

A couple of specimens of the > genus larrikin were the cauße of a fine old " rumpuß*' m the camp of the Goraldine Bifles on Monday night. Both posted themselves m a Bpot at a convenient distance from the beat of the guards, one having a gun', with some blank cartridges m his possession, and then waited till r all but the guardß were asleep. _ little suspected anyone m camp that a' midnight attack was to be made on them. Time passed on quickly, and the gnards patrolled np and down their respective beats with nothing to break the monotony of thoir watch, and all unsuspectiug that an " enemy " was almoßt at their elbow, when suddenly, and without warning, there broke on their startled^ ears the sound of a gun shot within close proximity

to them. Many a scared face, so it is said, peered out of the tents m anxious enquiry. The sentries, however, soon recovered their courage — If they, however, lost it — and charged their would be enemies most gallantly. The guard and the .whole camp had m the meantime all turned out, and many a furtive glance was cast over hammer and lock. The enemy haying shown himself or themselves m the road the guards went down it. at the double and close on the heels of the foe. The' enemy proved themselves well up m military (?) tactics, and it was not till after a good deal of manoeuvring . and skirmishing that the enemy could' be made to think that tho best thing they could do was to submit, and that with good grace, and then the pursuers found to their chagrin that the enemy consisted of only two youths. But when they returned with their prisoners and marched into camp they had recovered their equanimity. The two prisoners we're safely lodged m the gnard tent for the night, and there spent their time m evident enjoyment to themselves but not so to their gallant captors, who had to lay awake all night listening patiently to their revelries; sleep was out' of the question. The' prisoners evidently meant to pats time pleasantly until the morn, but little thought they "of the morrow." They firmly believed they would be discharged as soon as the guards were recalled and indulged m all sorts of merriment,' but what was their surprise .when :at seven o'clock m the morning the guard was paraded and their two- unlucky selves placed, between the ranks and marohed through the township to the police camp under military escort. Hope had not therii thoroughly died out of their breasts. • But : their^.hearts began to make tracks for their boots, and their faces could be seen visibly lengthening when they were taken into the polico office and searched. They thought .their time had gome then, and were Boon left" m a dismal cell .to brood over their post misdeeds 'until 'saoh' time as they! should appear before one of Her Majesty's Justices of tho Peaco, when they werej mulcted m fines amounting to, £2 19s.