AUSTRALIAN OUTLAWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7695, 2 May 1903, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN OUTLAWS.

BUSHRANGERS OF A BYE-

GONE DAY.

[All Rights Reserved.]

OHAPTER XlX.— (Continued.) THE BAID UPON ETJKOA. I More than a nionth passed away in fraitless search, ali that was returned to the public for the money expended in the wearisome hunt for the outlaws being " report upon report," each of whi«*h conveyed intelligence of non-success, disheartened men, and knocked-up Government -steeds. But the time had arrived for fresh interest to be created in the gang, for a $*05ater display of police* ingenuity' and^^slrgy, and for publio patience to be .further exercised. Leaving their mountain fastnesses, Ned Kelly and his companions made a bold raid upon the township of Euroa, a small settlement on- the main road between Melbourne and Sydney, and deliberately, in open day, " stuck Up " the National Bank, emytying its coffers of all tho gold and notes that were stored therein. Their plan of operations was cleverly arranged, and carried out to the last detail in a remarkably cool and systematic manner. The town at this time contained about three hundred inhabitants, and could boast of a police station, two or three hotels, and a number of other business places ; it was the centre of a flourishing agricultural district, and the main, line of railway betweeni Melbourne and the Murray ran partly through the town. The Strathbogie Ranges, covered with thick scrub, lay at the back of the settlement, extending as far as Mansfield ; but only e_perienced bushmen- could easily cross the rugged heavily-timbered belt. / /'

About three miles from the township wp a staticm, owned by a settler named Young- . husband, and it was here that the quartette first mad- their appearance, at noon on Dec. 18, 1878. One of the station hands, named Fitzgerald, was quietly eating his dinner in the men's hut, when a man, ap« parently an ordinary bush hand, appeared at the door, and, in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, inquired if the manager was in. Fitzgerald repli«3d in th© negative, and suggested that if the stranger's business was not very particular he might do instead of the manager. The stranger replied that it was of no consequence, and sauntered away. Fitzgerald continued eating his dinner, but, upon looking up a few minutes after the man had left, he saw that there were now three rough-looking bushmen instead, of one, that they were leading four very fine horses, aiid were on their way to the homestead, which was hot far from the hut. Mrs Fitzgerald happened to be at the homestead, aad was rather surprised when two of the men walked itt without invitation. In reply to her inquiry as to "^ho they were, and what they wanted, one of them replied that he was Ned Kelly,' and that he wanted refreshment for' himself and mates, and food for their horses, adding at the ; same time that there was no occasion for fear, as they would do no harm. At once Mrs Fitzgerald called to her husband, who left his dinoier and came over, to find himself fapo to face with bis former visitor, and learn^that the men were notorious InxShr angers. :.Har-

ing learned from his wife that the bushrangers had demanded refreshment, and observing a revolver in Ned Kelly's hand, Fitzgerald ordered dinner to be provided, afc the same time indicating where the horsefeed wns to "be found to Dan Kelly, who at once proceeded to bait the animals.

In the meantime, the fourth outlaw had •appeared on the scene, and while Joe Byrne stood outside the door as guard, Ned Kelly and St eive Harfc interviewed the station hands as tltey came up for their dinne>r and made prisoners of them all, converting a detached storeroom into a temporary prison, in which all the "hands" belonging to the station, with Fitzgerald afc their head, were marched one by one, the door baing locked, and the prisoners told that they would not- receive injury unless they interfered or attempted to escape.

Mi* Macauley, ma_ag.tr v of the station, was grreatly surprised as he approached th© homestead on Ms % return during the afternoon, afc the quiet that reigned; and his surprise was increased whan he learned the cause of it. Fitzgerald called out to him from the storeroom thafc the Kellys were in possession ; at the' same instant Ned Kelly came out of the house, and told the manager to bail up, informing him that they wero not going to take anything, but had called afc the station fco gob food and rest for their horses and sleep for themselves. Submitting to the inevitable, Maeaailcy said they all might make tlhem-se-lves as comfortable as possible f and, tea having been mads, they partook of it together, although only two of the outlaws would sit down at a time, relieving each other in couples in keeping a look-out. They also made some of the prisoner- taste the food 'before them — with what object may be easily under-bood.

Before nightfall another prisoner, was made, a travelling hawker named Gloster, who called at the station to obtain water for his tea-, affcen* having unharnesised his horses and fixed his camp near the homestead. When told by Ned Kelly to bail up, Glo-tor at first took the command as a joke, but was .(peediLy undeceived by a threat from Dan Kelly to shoot him where he stood ; and after a little parleying he consented to fluke his place in the storeroom with tihe other prisoners. The foun robb-ff'S then proceeded to the hawker's caxb and chos _ each, for himself a new suit of clothes, also taking some firearms that were in the cart ; then they returned to) the homestead and prepared to make themselves comfortable for the night, whichi they did by taking tens, two by two, at sleeping and watching.

On the following morning they were astir early, .amd told Macau'ley that they intended to stick up the Euroa Bank duo. sag the day ; and^that in order that intelligence of their presence at the station should not rea .a the township tUiey must keep all parties close prisoners, with any others who m-igih'ti call at the homestead. At this time there were over twenty prisoners- in the storeroolm under lock and key, and four more were added before many hours had passed. About two o'clock in the afternoon a fanner named Casement drove up-' to the gate in his spring cart, with, three other persons' Messrs M'Dougal, Jennant and Dudley. One of the visitors was in thei aot of opening the gate when the party were startled at an orde<r to' "bail up " from Ned KeMiy and Byrne, the former being on horseback and the latter on foot.; Affcer .gome demur they complied, and found 'Wea^^^iiP-^itr^ _6_qi__y of the othen? prisoners, who, although weary of their enforced confinement, appeared rather pleased than otherwise afc the addition to their numbers. Having seen their latest prisoners safely located, two of the bushran ge_*s overhauled ' the cart- and apropriated a rifle, a gun, a*id some bullets, powder and caps tliat Casement happened to have theie.

Leaving Joe Byrne in charge of the prisoners (the women folk at the station were allowed to move about freely, but were closely watched), the other members of the gang procured axes and proceeded to cut down some of the telegraph posts on the railway ; then they tore down a considerable length of the line, chopping away the wire for a good length so that it could not be easily or quickly repaired. While thus engaged they made another capture — four railway fettlers who had seen them destroying the line and gone forward to ascertain the reason, being enlightened and made prisoners at the same time. These men were marched up to the station and placed with the other captives, and then the gang made arrangements for visiting Euroa.

First getting Mr Macauley to draw out a cheque for a small amount, they made Gloster's lad hitch up the horse in the hawker's covered cart; Ned Kelly drove that, Dan Kelly got into Casement's vehicle,. Hart mounted one of the saddle horses, and the expedition started for the township, leaving Byrne in charge of the prisoners, with a rifle in his hand, revolvers in his belt, and two other rifles within easy reach.

Shortly after the party had started, a tram stopped opposite the station, and a telegraph line repairer alighted. A glance at the broken line was sufficient to show him that the break had not been caused accidentally and that he would- be unable to repair it unaided, and he at once walked towards the homestead to procure assistance. Here he was challenged by Byrne, and speedily found himself under lock and key in the already overcrowded storeroom. Meanwhile the bushrangers with the carts were approaching Euroa, and Hart had already reached! the township, where he entered the hotel and had a meal without attracting attention. When the two Kellys drove up he joined them, and the three went direct to the National Bank. Ned Kelly drove up to the front- door of the bank in one of the carfs^ jumped out, and fastened up the horse. At the same moment Dan Kelly drove the other cart in to the back yard of the bank, and Hart rode into the same place. Although after bank hours, the bank doors were open, as the stationmaster was frequently in the habit of getting drafts for Melbourne late in the day. Ned Kelly entered the front door of the bank, and at the same moment Dan Kelly and Hart entered by the back door. It so happened that all Mr Scott's (the manager's) family were at, the moment in one of the rooms of the house, as they were just preparing to go for a walk, while Mr Scott himself was about to attend a funeral. On entering, Ned Kelly presented the cheque signed by Mr Macauley ; bufc as soon as the other two made their appearance he pulled out a revolver, announced himself as Kelly, and ordered Mr Scott, Mr Bradley (the accountant)', and the twoclerks to " bail up " and " put up their hands." He then demanded the money from Mr Bradley, wno appealed to Mr Scott whether he was to comply. Mr Scott replied that he supposed they could not prevent the bushrangers from taking the xfioney^ but they would not give them anything. Kelly then •helped himself to all the cash in use, amounting in all tp i-300 in specie and notes. They then prepared to visit the other, part of the premises, leaving Hart to keep guard over the prisoners in the banking room. They conducted themselves quietly enough. The ladies acted bravely, and there was no noise, which would have perhaps resulted in loss of life. 7 As soon as Mrs Scott discovered who her visitor was she told him that he was a betterlooking map than .she fancied he would

be ; but Ned Kelly passed over the compliirent without remark, and told her to get herself and children and servants ready for a drive, as ho was going to take them over to Younghusband's station. He .then, returned to the banking room and said ho knew very well they had not all the money ; in spite of Mr Scott's protest he got the keys of the strong-room, and proceeded to appropriate the reserve cash. This he packed up in a neat parcel with the other, also examining some of the banknotes and letteis, and took one or two deeds of trifling importance, but left the bulk of the bills and! securities untouched. The total sum taken was £1942, besides thirty ounces of gold.

All this time Mr Scott's family sind the bank officials wer© under guard, andi of course, as everything was- very quietly conducted, and it was after bank hours, no alarm was given. The party then started, Dan Kelly in the hawker's cart with the clerks arid one of the female servants leading the way. Then followed Mrs Scott with her mother and seven children (the eldest of whom was thirteen year® of sige) in Mr Scott's buggy, which Ned "Kelly had pressed into the service; Mrs Scott acting as -driver and. being cautioned not to indulge in any "larks" on the road. After this came Ned Kelly witb Mr Scott and another servant, while -Ha-t^ on horseback, brought up the rear.. The money was in the cart at the feet of Kelly. In this way the cavalcade went out of the town without attracting much attention. The total number of persons carried off was fifteen. The object of carrying them bodily away was* to prevent the alarm being given at once, and as a matter of fact ifc was not known in Eur-oa what had occurred at the bank until after eleven o'clock that night, and then the direction taken by .the bushrangers was a matter of mystery. Before leaving the bank Kelly secured the two revolvers on the premises, and also demanded and secured two other revolvers and two bags of cartridgeSj in all about eighty rounds.

At the station the manager and his clerks were placed in the storeroom, and the females joined those belonging to the homestead, the bushrangers shortly afterwards taking tea with them. After the horses had been saddled and brought round t Ned Kelly announced to those in the storeroom that they were about to leave, declaring at the same time that if any of the prisoners moved from the spot until three , hours had passed he would afterwards hunt them out and shoot them; and he specially commanded Macauley to see that this injunction was carried out faithfully on pain of losing his" life. The outlaws then mounted their horses and rode away at a rapid pace in the direction of Strathbogie Ranges, it being observed that Ned Kelly carried all the spoil. It was then past eight o'clock, and quite dark, and, as it was thought probable that one of the gang would be on the watch, Mr Macauley decided that no person should move from the ' station until the allotted time had passed.' Shortly after eleven o'clock Mr Scott und his charge started on the return journey to Euroa, reaching the place in safety and finding that no suspicion of the startling events that had occurred under their very_ noses hadl been entertained' by his fellowtownsmen.

The other parties remained at the station; during that night, and left early next morning for .their several homes ; butnot before the police had commenced to move, for they were at work near the station at daylight endea-vouring to pick up $he tracks of the outlaws,, hoping to get upon them while still fresh, and to follow them until they came up with the bushrangers themselves. In this, however, they were disappointed, for they found tracks leading in every direction; and then it became plain that the Kelly sympathisers had been at work before thiem^ riding over the ground, first in one direction and then in another, in order to baffle the pursuers and throw\ them off the scent.

The raid was one of the boldest that had yet been made \n Victoria by any bushranging gang, and 1 the colonists were prepared to hear of -other outrages of a like character at any moment. The bankers in the country towns were specially concerned, and revolvers became prominent articles of furniture in the managers' rooms and under the serving counters. The police* became wretchedly restive under the monotonous round of unsuccessful search journeys, and the unmerited abuse heaped upon them by civilians who thought 'failure to take the outlaws,' or even to catch sight of them, was the result of ineffi-iency. And just at this time the Victorians passed through the very experienoe that had so worried New South Welshmen during the reign of Hall's gang and' the Clarkfes. That four young fellows should set at defiance every effort of that mighty Engine of Civilisation — the Police Force —was one of the moist' . extraordinary things of the age — as ridiculous as ib was reproachful; and, in the eyes of a large section of the public, the police appeared greater offenders than the outlaws. But the police were not altogether to blame. They did their utmost to follow and capture, but were always at a disadvantage, having to carry on their work in places to which they had hitherto been total strangers', while the outlaws enjoyed the advantage of knowing every turning in. the sombre fastnesses, and having scores of friends to serve them in a double capacity — informing them of every movement of their pursuers, and, at the same time, hiding tha tracks they had made, and giving the police wrong information, or misleading them in a thousand and one different ways.

To stimulate the police to even greater exertions, and at the same time place a strong inducement before the Kelly sympathisers to turn informers, and betray thooutlaws, the Victorian Govermment increased the reward for their apprehension to £4000--or £1000 for each one taken. It was a big bait, but it was not so readily taken as the authorities appeared to anticipate. And still the fruitless search went on — days growing into weeks, and weeks growing into months, without any nearer approach being made to the accomplishment df the end desired. The Press, which 1 had boasted during the. reign of the Hall gang that no bushranger could actively exist in Victoria, found its weapon turned against itself by contemporaries in New South Wales, and sought to ease the pain of its humiliation by "slating" the police of its own territory. And didn't, the Force in New South Wales chuckle over this turning of the tables! Even the blacktrackers of the elder colony made sport of the men who had boasted and failed.

At last a hope sprang up in the breasts of that section of the police which had set itself specially to work to bribe some of the Kelly sympathisers. One man, who was supposed to be a bosom friend of Ned Kelly, appeared inclined to " turn dog " oa his former mate. This was Aaron Sherritt, who lived near Beech Worth, and was known to- have been one of the most active " telegraphs " of the gang, supplying them with information concerning the movements of the police, and. furnishing them with food. Sherritt was carefully approached by one of the leaders of the search parties, and, after much /persuasion, consented to put the p<*tu lice on their track, tho, promise being mads> that he should receive the whole of ths £40QQ which the Gover__tent had offered

for their capture if the information supplied by him resulted in their being taken. The first piece of information supplied by Sherritt was that the gang had decided to cross the border into New South Wales, and there " stick up " ono of the banks— at Goulburn, he believed. He said that they had asked him to accompany them, but he had declined, and they had then set off without him." Subsequent inquiries proved that there was truth in Sherritt's statement, for Byrne and Dan Kelly were reported *to have been seen going in the di* /ection of the Murray River, and to have called for provisions at a shanty where tiiey were known. This information was "conveyed to the police on the New South Wales side of the Murray, but although the river crossings were carefully guarded, no sign of the outlaws oould ba discovered ; and the authorities decided that they had been deceived, and -ived in daily expectation of heaaing that an outirage had been committed at some plaoe nearer what the bushrangers ware pleased to oall "home," for they knew that they would nob keep quiet for any length of time, especially as their last raid bad bean bo successful. And sure enough, before tai days had elapsed, New Boutfo Wales and Victoria were both ringing with the news that another successful raid upon a small town hind been made, and that another bank had been robbed. THE HAH) TPO- -T-RI-._»_lU_. Jerilde-ie was then a townslhip with a population of ftboufc four hundred inhabitants, containing one bank, a police, station, three ar four hotels, -and a telegraph office, in addition to tho other ordinary busme-9 plaoes of a bush village. It is about sixty mile® from the Murray on the New South. Wales side-, and about ninety miles in a direct line from Mansfield. At midnight on Saturday, Feb. 9, 1879, the four outlaws rod- quietly into the town and surrounded the police station, which • was occupied by Constables Devine and Richa-ds, the former being in charge. The town was in darkness, and the constables, like the other inhabitants, were in bed asle^jpv when their slumbers were disturbed by hearing someone calling out that * murder had just baen committed by a drunken maa at Davidson '« hotel, and that) the presenoe of the police was urgently -required. Both constables hurriedly ran out to loam fuller particulars, when 'they w«re immediately secured, and, the key of the .cell having been produced, were locked up • together. DevinejS wife and ohildren were then aroused and -hut up in another part of the watc-bouse, receiving an assurance that no harm- would come to them *if they ..« remained quiet, but if they raised any alarfn. both the locked-up constables would be at once shot by Hart, who had been plaoed over tbem as sentry. Having thins secured the inmates of the lock-up tha bush- . rangers brought their horses into the stable and fed and bedded them, after which they ■/sat-Jed down for the night, a constant watch being kept by one or other of them over tbe priaoneis. During the Sunday nothing unusual occurred to disturb the quiet of the town -or of tbe four ruffians who were -already in possession of its custodians. It was tha aim of the outlaws to make everything appear natural, in case any person acquainted with the lock-up people and their duties ' mignt call and notice that there was either halt or hitch. /Hence, Dam Kelly, Byrne , and Hart put Ton polio, uniform, and were prepared io aofc the (part of policemen in charge. Mrs Devine was permitted to move about freely during the day, but a close watch was "kept on her movements, and she was not allowed to leave the station, except an one occasion, and that furnished its novelty. It appears she had'undertaken the weekly task of preparing the little church with which she was connected for seirvioe every morning; when this be_ame known to Ned Kelly he decided that ehe must perform thafc duty, and; the good lady went about it with Byme ns her attendant and guard. During the/ afternoon Hart and Byrne made an excursion through the town, taking Constable Richards along with them, and as all three wero dressed in. police uniform they did not attract any attention, those who saw them doubtless concluding that Richards was simply showing two of his brethren from a distance the lions of the place. The object of the excursion was to enable the bushrangers to learn exactly the position of the different public-houses, bank, etc., with a view to speedy and easy operations on the following, day. After perambulating the streets for about half an hour the trio returned to the station, and ■ Richards was again placed under lock and key with Devine. No person called at the station during the day, and the prisoners and their keepers prepared to spend another quiet night at the station. / Early on Monday morning Byrne, still dressed in police uniform, took two of the horses to the local farrier and had them _iod. Then the Kellys began to think of Dusiness. Having securely locked up Constable Devine and his wife and chilren, they pressed' Richards into their service as decoy, and. at eleven o'clock started down town, Richards walking with the brpthers "~ Kelly, all in police clothing, and Hart and Byrne riding slowly on horseback behind them. The first place of call was the Royal Hotel, where they saw -Cox, the landlord. Richards introduced Cox to Kelly, who said he wanted the rooms in the Royal, as he intended to rob the bank, bub would not do anybody any harm. The bushrangers were then phiced hy Ned Kelly ab the front, part of the hotel, and as people wenfc in for a drink they were seized and placed in a room, where Dan Kelly acted as sentinel. In the meantime Byrne busied himself in collecting all the servants from the back part of the establishment, making prisoners of them also ; and everything being in readiness, they proceeded to honour the Bank of New South Wales with a call. The bank building was near the hotel, and there were three officers engaged therein — ifcr Tarleton (manager), Mr Living (accountant) and Mr Mdckin (sub-accountant), and Livings, account is so clear and full that it may be quoted here : — About ten minutes past twelve on Monday morning I was sitting at my desk in the bank, when I heard footsteps approaching me from the direction of th. back door. lat first took no notice, thinking it waa the manager, Mr Tarleton. The footsteps continued approaching, when I turned round on the office stool and noticed a man approaching from the back door. I immediately accosted the fellow, who already had a revolver levelled at me, and on asking who he was and what right he had to enter the bank by the back way, he answered that he was Kelly, and ordered me to bail up. The fellow, who afterwards turned out to be Byrne, ordered me to deliver up what firearms I had. I replied that I had none. Young Mackin, who was standing in front of the bank, then came in, when Byrne ordered me to jump over the counter, which I did. He then told me to come with him to Cox's Hotel, and remarked that they had all the police stuck up. We went into the hotel, where we met Ned Kelly, who asked for Mr Tarleton, and was told that ho was in his room. They went back to the bank, but could not find the manager in his Room. Ned Kelly said to me, " You had better go and find him." I then searched, and found the manager in his bath. I was at first a little alarmed ab nob Sliding the manager in his room, and at first thought that ha had got some clue that the bushrangers were in the place, and cleared, oub. On finding the manager in his bath, I said to him, "We are stuck .up ; the Kellys are t here, and the police are also stuck up." ■; Byrne then got Hart, and left him in charge of the manager, who was subsequently taken over to the room where all the others were kept prisoners. After he , had got out of the hap, Ned Kelly came--7 and took me into tiie bank, and asked me what money we had ia it. I replied than i£ -there was h-tween __6C_ and: £7oo7 when • Kelly -aidj "You must have £10,000 in;

"~ - * . the bank." I then handed him the tellers cash, amounting to about £691. Mr Elliott, the schoolmaster, then came into the bank, and as soon as Kelly saw him he orde«red him to jump over the counter. Mr* Elliott replied that he could not, but! Kelly made Lain, and they then tried to put the money in a bag, but, nob having) one sufficiently la_ge, Ned Kelly went and brought a bag, and we put ths money into it. Kelly asked if we had more money, and was answeasd "No-." Kelly then obtained 'the teller's revolver, and again iequested more money. He then went to the treasure drawer, and requested to know what, was in it, and was told by me that it contained nothing of any /value. Kelly I insisiued on its being opened, and one of the keys was given to- him, but he could! not open it, owing to the manager having) the second key, which was required to open it. Byrne then wanted to break it open with, a sledge hammer, but Kelly -brought the- manager from the Royal Hotel, and demanded the key, which was given to him, oaid tboTdrawer was opened, whe _. the sum of £1450 was taken oufc by Kelly .and; placed in a bag. Kelly tihen took down a large deed-box, and asked what it contained, and was told that the contents consisted of a few documents which were bf no usa. He replied that he would burn the contents, bufc Mr- Tarleton argued with him, andl Kelly took one document and put ifc into the bag, amd then expressed his. intention of burning all tba books in the office. He, however, left the rest of the papers, and said that lie would come back and see if idiere were any deeds for town- allotments. The whole party then went into the Royal Hotel. Daniel Kelly was in the hotel, and Ned Kelly took two of the party out to the back of the hotel, where he made ai fire ond burned thr.'-' or four of the bank books. In the meantime Mr Rsmkin (a merchant, and justice of tho peace) and Mr Gill (the local newspaper propxie'tor), seeing the bank door open, went in, and were immediately followed by Kelly, who ordered! t_e__ to bail up.. Both gentlemen' at once, made off, Mr Rankin running into the hotel, and Mr Gill in some other direction. Ned Kcllv ran after Rankin, and caught hun in the hotel. Kelly caught him by the collar, and asked him why he ran away, ati the same time telling him to go into the passage, and that he intended to shoot him. He took Mr Rankin into the passage,, and, after straightening him against thei wall, levelled his revolve.* at him. Several persons called out to Kelly not- to fire, and he did not. He then called Hart by the name of " Revenge," and told him 'to shoot the first man thafc attempted any resistance, and told Rankin that if he attempted he would be ihe first shot. Kelly then, asked for Gill, and took Richards and me wMi him to look for Gill. The policeman had his revolver with, hini., but Kelly had . previously withdrawn the cartridges. They went up to Gill's house end saw Mas Gill. Kelly said to .her, " I have a statement here which contains a little act- of my life, and I want it published by Mr Gill; will you take it- 2" She refused to do so. I then took the paper, and promised to haye it published, and, asked to get one. The paxty then went' to M'DougaTd's hoiel, where Kelly took a blood, mare out of the stable, and remarked tha* he would take tbe animal, but would return- ifc in three. weeks*. The party then went to the telegraph office, where they met Byrne;,; who had out the wires. Ned Kelly then broke the insulators at tCie office with his revolver, and after t\i& he took the postmaster* and his assistant to the Royal Hotel and left the party there. Kelly then returned to the bank and obtained a saddle and a pair of riding trouseff. belonging to Mr Tarleton, and also a gold chain and a gold Watch. The saddle was then pub on the mare, and Dan Kelly, mounting it, roda awar, bufc returned in five minutes. ' Dan Kelly and Hart then both kept guard at. | the hotel, and Ned Kelly then informed) the postmaster that if lie. attempted to> mend the wire? before next day, or offered any resistance, he would be -'hot. He also" told Mr Jefferson thab he intended to take him a few miles in the bush amd libetrate him. He- informed 'those presient that he intended sticking up the Urana coach n th_ti night, and would .'hoot any one who aittemptied to give warning. Byrne still rode in the direotion of the Murray with the rnJoney, and in the meantime Mr Tarleton had succeeded in despatching a messenger* to Urana to warn th© bank manager thei-. The: remaining part of tbe -gaaig then rode in the direction of the police camp, and 1 the party were liberated, and I started for DenUiquin. / The bank manager, Tarleton, gave some further particulars. He stated that, at the time of the occurrence he bad not long returned from a ride of forty mides, and was l laving a bath, when the teller came "rash-; ing into the bath-room and exclaimed that' they were stuck up. Mr Tarleton at firs*, thought it was rubbish ; bub on seeing twa men with revolvers he bek'eved such to bei the cafe. As soon as he came c_t of the bath, Hart pointed the pistol at him, and! then searched hisxrlo-ies. Mr Tarleton then made some inquiries as to the movements of the Kelly gang, bufc H?rt, answering one or two questions, replied in an angry voice that he,had better cease. asking such questions. Hart thjen took him into the hotel, and as he was going in he noticed Byrne striks the Chinese cook. He was pj&oed with some others in the bar parlour, where he was kept until taken back to the bank. Hart stood the whole time at the door of the room with revolver's, and evinced a strong desire to shcob Eoniebody occa-r sidnally, if there was a little too much talking in tiie room. During his confinement iii the room he was placed in such a position that he thinks he could have knocked Harfc down, but on asking the policeman if hp would back him up, he replied that 'Dan Kelly had them covered with his revolver, and if he happened to miss them he Would be sure to kill some of the others. The gang then prepared lo go, but before doing so* Ned Kelly made a speech with the evident intention of exciting pityN. (To be continued on Wednesday.)