LOST IN THE RANGES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 288, 24 August 1918, Page 9

LOST IN THE RANGES

SMALL BOY'S ADVENTURE. A striking illustration of the influence of literature on the minds of young boys line just been provided at tho State Children's Court (states an Adelaido telegram to the Sydney "Sun"). With their imaginations stimulated by reading Stevenson's and Ballantyno's books, tho "Boys' .Own Annual," "Chums," and similar publications, Ernest Albert Richards, aged 14, and a companion, made up their minds a low days ago to shoot wild cattle and sheep in the Grampian Ranges of Victoria, and to sell the skins to the Melbourne market. It was a dramatic, short-lived exploit. At (lie. last moment his companion backed out, but, undismayed, Richards, who had read in the "Boys' Own Annual" that there were a lot of abandoned 6heep and cattle in tho Grampian Ranges, which wero nobody's property, started out single-handed. All night ho lay in bed without undressing, thinking out tho details of the adventure. In the morning he went to n. neighbouring house and took a. saddle and bridle. He secured a pony from another house, returned home, and loaded up with his mother's groceries. He had jio cooking utensils, but took a. tent of his own manufacture, clothes, a revolver, and 'Is. from his savings bank account. Knowing nothing about the direction of the Grampians, excepting what ho hod learned at his geography lessons at school, ho quickly got lost in the Mount Lofty J?ang63. After wandering about all day he nsked'somebody where tho Grampians were. The man took him to the nolico station. The boy showed no appreciation of the humour or tragedy of bis position. His parents promised the Magistrate to send him to a farm, whero lie would have the .outdoor life for which lie was thirsting, and he was released on entering into a good behaviour bond.