PORT PHILLIP.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 16, 22 November 1843, Page 4

PORT PHILLIP.

RECONTit* with Blacks.—We hive been favored with tbe following extract of a letter from a settler at the Grange, giving an account of a rencontre between Capt. Dana’s native police, and a hoard <>f predatory savages. The writer says:— « Captain tyana called here on his return from the Victoria Ranges, whither he had gone with four of his black police in search of a party of blacks who had driven away about 150 qf Mr. Dwyer’s sheep. On,tbe second uight after starting they came to a creek, where they bad to leave their horses and proceed on foot, the country being so thickly tiros bered as to render any other mode of progressing impracticable. About a mile from the creek they fell in with a regularly bnilt sheep yard, wberethe blacks had encamped a few nights before,and about balfa mile farther on they fell in with a second yard, in wbieh tbe tracts of the sheep were still quite fresh. As ij was obvious they were now close upon the objects of their pursuit, the utmost caution was observed, and, after adranoing a little farther, they sncceeded,unperceived,in coming within view of a third yard, where were the sheep and about thirty blacks. Captain Dana immediately formed his men, and so judicious were bis arrangements, that small as was bis force, he had tbe blacks bein’ med in on every side before tbey were even aware of his approach. On the alarm being given, the blacks attempted to make off, driving the sheep before them, but finding themselves beleaguered, they ** showed fight,” and Captain Dana had to order bis men to fire in self defence. The first volley brought dpwn several of the savages; but it was not uutil some hard scuffling bad taken place, and a considerable number of the blacks were killed and wounded that the marauders thought fit to beat a retreat, scampering off ; among the rocks, and leaving the field in possession of the victors. Between 80 and 90 of the stolen sheep were ‘ recovered. Captain Dana says he witnessed a single handed fight between one of the black policemen and a wild black, in which both displayed the most determined bravery. Tbe policeman, armed with only a musket, was trying 10 capture his opponent a,live, and tbe savage seemed bent on taking bis assailant’s life. The struggle was long and ar» duous. The savage attacked the policeman with his tomahawk, who warded off the blows with his musket, the ramrod of which was so twisted in the struggle as to be rendered useless. Finding he oould make nothing at olose quarters, the savage made off to a distance, and flung bis waddie at the bead of his opponent, who, however, contrived to dodge the missile and escaped unhurt. Tbe savage then betook himself to the summit of an adjacent rock, whence he hurled stones witbsuoh rapidity* and at tbe same time with such accuracy of aim, that the policeman was compelled to bring him down with a, shot, which terminated the contest. Tbe policemen behaved throughout with the greatest bravery and forbearance, and Captain Dana speaks in terras of high approbation of the sagacity they displayed in tbe pursuit. —Port Phillip Patriot.