PART IX.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 4253, 29 June 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

PART IX.

It was not so much the four men in the room they feared, but they felt that there was a larger number of bushrangers outside waiting to be called upon, and the hardy settlers felt that they were trapped and it would be wise to submit. If they had a suspicion that there was a gang of bushrangers in the district they would have stationed sentries, but they did not think there was an outlaw within a hundred miles of the house. The vicinity of Brady's gang was quite unknown to them, and they were thus taken off their guard. After the first surprise Bartlett came forward and asked Brady what he required. " Food and drink, and also some clothing," answered the outlaw, rather abruptly. " Well, you can have what I have got here. You have the advantage and I must obey." " Yes; it is the best thing you can do if you wish to live. I shall also require four or five of your 'servants to carry the things for us," continued Brady. "They are in another part of the house, and I suppose you have them in your power also. If you let one of the men go with me I will get the food xnd tell the servants to carry it," replied Bartlett. The leader considered for a few moments, and, seeing that the course suggested was the best under the circumstances, complied, and the owner of the house was allowed to go out with >ne of the bushrangers. Sinclair and his comrade had been even more successful in their undertaking. There was seven convicts employed by Bartlett, of whom two were women and the remainder men. On this night they were all busy between the kitchen and the large room, where a substantial repast had been set out. When Sinclair made his appearance the men were in the kitchen, and they did not attempt the least resistance. It mattered little to them what happened, for Bartlett was a strict master and not regarded with much affection by the servants. In their hearts they were pleased to see the bushrangers, for it probable meant a season of license for them. This feeling was intensified when two of the convict servants and Sinclair mutually recognised each other as acquaintances. They had all worked together in the same gang at Hobart Town before Sinclair was removed to Macquarie Harbor. The old feeling was not yet dead, and the two servants at once gave Sinclair all the information about the place that they could. They were interrupted in the midst of their conversation by the entrance of Bartlett and the outlaw, and the men at once set about gathering up what Brady required. In the ballroom the leader had entered into quite a friendly conversation with the guests. He told them that he had no desire to injure any of them unless he was compelled to do so, and further informed them that he had a force of seventeen men around the house ready for any emergency. This they fully believed, and they felt a sense of relief when they were assured that no harm was intended them. The bloody records of the past proved that it was not often that such forbearance was shown by victorious outlaws. During the course of conversation one of those present happened to say that Jeffries, the bushranger, had been captured and was in Launceston gaol. It seemed that Brady knew this des perado intimately, having served a time .vith him, and he had a bitter grudge against him. When he heard where he was his eyes, blazed with suppressed passion, and he thundered out: " You can tell the commandant thai I will shortly go to Launceston anc 1 take Jeffries out of gaol and hang him [ will do it in spite of the government md all the force they can bring against me!" This sounded like a wild boast, bul subsequent events showed that Bradj meant what he said. Bartlett was eager to get rid of his unwelcome visitors, and he made as much haste as possible to gather whai they wanted. When this was done he returned to the room which had so re cently been a scene of jollity and told Brady that his requests had been carried out. During Bartlett's absence one of the outlaws had made the muskets useless by taking out the flints, and Brady also exacted a promise from the " bailed up " men that they would not attempt a pursuit for twenty-four hours. These conditions were often imposed in such cases and they were generally observed by them. In a few minutes Sinclair with his companions and the five convict servants appeared, and it was seen that everything was ready for a start. Heavy swags of provisions had been made up, and with a few parting words to the chagrined men, Brady and his followers left them to talk over the situation. The bushrangers had accomplished their mission without striking a blow, and, despite the miserable weather, they felt pleased at the evening's work. As they went back towards the schooner the convict servants expressed their desire to join the band under Brady, and their wishes were readily complied with.

The leader of the outlaws felt that his gang was not numerous enough for the work he intended to do, and the willingness of the convicts to join pleased him. It was after midnight when they got back to the schooner, and it was found that the vessel was the same as they had left it. With the food and clothes they had taken from Bartlett they soon made themselves comfortable, and the timeintervening between morning was passed quickly. Brady was making no idle boast when he spoke of attacking the Launceston gaol and taking Jeffries out of it. Such a raid meant taking the town itself, and even for sueh # an undertaking as that the outlaw chief was prepared. His capture of Sorell was a small matter in comparison to an attack on Launceston, but he now meant to augment his force so that he would be equal to it. The convicts, who had just joined the gang and for whom Sinclair vouched, told him they could get at least thirty more of their own sort in the environs of the northern town to help them, and with such a force welL armed and skilfully led Brady had no fear of failure. Three of the men who had been at Bartlett's knew the country even better than Tobin, who had been away from it for some years, and under their guidance the schooner next morning continued up the river. Brady appeared to have no dread of meeting a foe on the water, the immunity he had hitherto enjoyed seemed to warrant him in this belief. The boat had got a good ten miles further up the river and was now closing on Launceston, when the outlaws for the first time saw that they would have to fight for their lives. Rounding a slight bend in the river they saw about half a mile ahead a large boat bearing down and on board was the uniform of soldiers. There could not be more than fifteen men on board, and as they were thus evenly matched Brady decided to fight the approaching enemy. The immediate cause of this attack was traceable to Bartlett. He was not at all disposed to carry out the promise he had made to the men who had trapped and robbed him, and his guests were in a similar mood. The bushrangers had scarcely left the farm-house when arrangements were made to follow them, and this was done by two of the most experienced bushmen present. They tracked them to the schooner and then hurried back with the information. Horsemen were at once despatched to George Town and Launceston, and from the latter place the authorities sent a boat with a force of thirteen men down the river. At George Town the authorities adopted different tactics. They had no available men to send in pursuit as they had gone to Flinders Island, but they took the utmost precautions to prevent the vessel passing the station and getting out to sea. The boat that was now about to attack the outlaws was under the command of Captain Edwards, that is the military force was under his orders — and a worse man could not have been selected for such a task. • The captain had only been a few weeks on the isiand and he was totally unused to such a mode of fighting as the circumstances required. He had a fixed idea that everything should be carried out according to certain fixed theories, and he would not depart from them. As the vessels neared each other it could be readily seen that the schooner of the bushrangers was ranch more suitable for a fight than the other. The Derwent's bulwarks was so arranged that those behind them could shoot without exposing themselves in doing so. This could not be done on the government boat. Brady gave each man two muskets and something like twenty rounds of ammunition and stationed them in the best spots. When his foes were about a quarter of a mile away he opened fire, but without any perceptible effect. The river at this spot widened out and there was plenty of room for the fight should the rivals desire to stand off. This appeared to be the course which Captain Edwards was going to adopt, for he opened fire and kept about a hundred yards away. The soldiers were extremely bad marksmen and could scarcely hit the schooner even. Some of the bushrangers were rather skilful in the use of firearms, and it was not long before two of the red-coats were wounded, but only slightly. They had to expose themselves a good deal, and this was an advantage which their opponents did not give them. Brady had his boat kept going up stream, and soon they were abreast and firing harm- j lessly at each other. This sort of war- 1 fare did not suit the sanguinary instincts of the bushrangers, and at last Brady determined to force the fighting. He | considered that he would ha^e all to lose by prolonging the fight, for the sound of the firing might attract attenttion and bring reinforcements to his foes. He could see that there were not a great number of men on the government boat — and even if it cost two or three lives on his side it was necessary to bring the fight to an end one way or the other. The bushrangers' want of seamanship now stood in their way as they handled the vessel very clumsily, and, seeing their intention, Captain Edwards was able to keep away from them — in fact, the captain did not care about a hand to hand combat with such desperadoes. He had heafd so many exaggerated stories about them since his landing that he regarded them as human* devils who were capable of doing extraordinary and ferocious deeds. So far the bushrangers had not suffered any damage, and they were in fact getting the better of the fight ; but now what Brady feared came to pass. After Bartlett had warned the authorities of the outrage that had been committed, he called for volunteers amongst the settlers and decided to pursue the outlaws. They had gone io the wtcmg

direction at first, but, receiving some information down the river, the party, which consisted of sixteen well armed men, had turned back towards Launceston. It was getting well on in the afternoon when the sound of distant firing reached their cars, and, suspecting that an attack had been mnde on the bushrangers, they l.unied on as fast as they could. Their pi ogress was necessarily slow, for the undergrowth impeded thehoises, and the steep hills, were also a bar. As they got nearer the sound of the firing became louder, and it was evident that a considerable number were engaged in it. Bartlett and his companions, of course, knew that the late assigned servants had joined the outlaws, and they reckoned the strength of the latter at about double what it really was. At last they got within sight of the contending parties and saw that the outlaws were near the bank on which they were travelling, whilst the government vessel was also on the same side but higher up. A steep range ran back from the river at this spot, and, dismounting from their horses, the settlers made along the top of the range until they came abreast of the outlaws' boat which was below them. From their position they could see the bushrangers on the schooner, and, being within range, they opened fire on them. This was an unexpected surprise for the men under Brady, and, seeing the danger they were in, they ran the boat to the opposite bank. Seeing that assistance had come, the soldiers under Captain Edwards began to show more bravery. The captain was foremost in exposing himself in urging on the attack, but he soon had cause to repent it as he received a bullet in the shoulder which inflicted a bad wound. Brady and his followers were cool and resolute under the trying circumstances, and they kept up such a fire on the government boat that the latter was glad to sheer off. Four of the soldiers were wounded, but not badly. Captain Edwards being the worst. As Bartlelt and his men were forced to show themselves in following the boat to keep it within range, a hot fire was opened on them and they had to be exceedingly careful not to expose themselves too much. Brady and his men were anxious to beat off their new foes, but the latter had the advantage of the cover. As the Derwent got further off the settlers had to follow, and they soon reached the low lying ground which ran back from the river for many a hundred yards. They were then only on a level with the bulwarks of the schooner and their fire was not so dangerous as before. Seeing this the leader of the outlaws decided to make a final dash at the government vessel and bring matters to a termination. The superior skill of the sailors on board the latter craft, however, again defeated this plan. They were able to keep from allowing the enemy to boaid them, and Brady soon found that he was running into great danger without a corresponding benefit. It drew him nearer to the land foes, who kept up a tormenting fire, and at last he turned the course of the boat and ran across to the western bank. This for a time ended the inconclusive fight, for the vessel under Captain Edwards's control ran ashore, and a consultation with the settlers followed. , " The bushrangers were not in a very enviable position. They had foes on land and water, and at any moment their enemies might be reinforced so that resistance would be overborne. If word was sent to Launceston more vessels would be sent down the river and escape would be impossible. As Brady reasoned the matter ovei' he arrived at a conclusion as to the best course to pursue, and, calling all the men around him, he put it before them. "The best thing we can do," said he, " is to leave the schooner and take to the bush. If we stay here there will be half-a-dozen other craft down here by to-morrow, and our retreat will be cut off." "But what can we do on land?" queried Sinclair. "If we go ashore we will be in a worse plight than we are at present." " No ; we will be better off. There is no doubt these fellows across there will send for assistance to Launceston, and most of the men there will come down to capture us. Now, I propose that we make a dash on the place tonight. We can easily master it." This bold proposition made by Brady seemed to meet with the general wishes and an affirmative murmur arose. " After we do that," continued the leader, " we can make for the ranges for a time, and I don't see who can stop us. From some of these places which I see yonder we could defy an army." - As he spoke he looked towards the lowering Ben Lomond Mountains which lay away to the south-east. "Yes;" broke in Tobin, "I know of places where we could be safe against all the force which could be sent against us. Ten miles from the town is all we need go." ' It was now getting late in the afternoon, and the outlaws decided to lie quiet until after nightfall when they would slip away from the vessel and make for Launceston. They were -but a few miles from that place, and it could be reached in an hour. ! Meanwhile the soldiers and settlers on the opposite side had been conferring on the situation. Captain Edwards, who was badly wounded, was lying in the small cabin and could take no part in it. In fact he wished that the boat should return to Launceston, but that could not be heard of, and he did not insist on it being done. Bartlett and his men were of opinion "that to make sure of capturing the outlaws as a whole, it would be best to get further aid so that both banks of the, river might be guarded, and also that the boat might be surrounded. DD 34 (tq be cPKTOrcnjft) -»»