SYDNEY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1983, 14 November 1863, Page 3

SYDNEY.

AFFRAY WITH GILBERTS GANG. BURKE SHOT. £500 RANSOM PAID TO THE BUSHRANGERS. HEROIC CONDUCT OF MR AND MRS KEIGHTLEY.

Bathitbst, Oct. 25

Gilbebt, 1 O'Meally, Ben Hall, Vane, aud Burke, yesterday evening made an attack upon the house of Mr Commisioner Keightly, situated at Dunn's Plains, near Rockley. Mr. Keightley was outside the house when the bush rangers rode up, and on being ordered to stand he rushed in at the door, five or six shots being fired at hira as he did so. Seizing a doublebarrelled gun, only one barrel of which was loaded, Mr Keightley same to tbe door, and "aiming at Burke, shot him in the abdomen,— when he reeled and tottered to the side of the house, exclaiming, " I am done for." Burke said he would never be taken alive, and then endeavoured to shoot himself with his own revolver, but he was unable to effect his purpose, for, after firing two shots unsuccessfully, he fell lo the ground. During tbe whole of this time, volley after volley was fired into the house by the other men. Mr Keightley had no more ammunition, and was therefore compelled to surrender. When he did so the busliraugers were upon the point of shooting him down, but Mrs Keightley ran before her husband, and by that means saved his life. The bushrangers, however, took him prisoner, as also Dr Peechey, who was there, and declared that if a rausoin of £500 was not paid by two o'clock that day, they would shoot or hang them both- The two gentlemen were taketi to the top of a hill near, ■and Mrß Keightley, accompanied by young Mr Peechey, rode iuto Bathurst to her father, Mr Ratton, M.L-A. Mr Rotton at once procured the money, and proceeding to the spot, handed it to tbe bushrangers, who liberated their prisor ners. It was not until after the money was paid that information could be given to the police, as the ruffians placed scouts to give them warning, and Mrs Keightley was told that both her husband and Dr Peechey would be shot if faith was not kept. Dr Peechey in the meantime had attended to Burke, wuo was alive but unconscious, aud in a fearful state. After the money had been paid the bushrangers procured a cart, aud took tbe almost lifeless body of Burke away with them. The police are now in pursuit. — Sydney Herald.