AN ADVENTURE WITH NED KELLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1280, 10 September 1886, Page 4

AN ADVENTURE WITH NED KELLY.

'A German nobleman, Count AurepElmpt, details the following adventure in a recent account of bis travels through Australia. Ho was riding from Wodonga to Melbourne when two men mounted on strong, wiry horses, rode out of the bush, and ac--cosling me with ‘ Hullo I old man,’ {motioned me to stop. One of them was a good “looking, broad shouldered fellow, with a short cut beard, and 'clothed in the regulation costume of the country, namely, a coloured flans nel of the best quality, corduroy troua sers, partially covered by an excellent pair of high boots, and a strong leather belt into which two bright revolvers were thrust. On his head was the felt hat worn in all weathers. There were pistols also in the holsters ot the saddle. His companion was taller, more carelessly dressed, and with a hollowed countenance, showing indications of mental anxiety. At first I took them for troopers, on account of the similarity of their accoutrements. The friendly manner of the man who addressed me disarmed suspicion, and I stopped. Approaching me, they asked me a number of questions in a curt military manner, where I had come from, whether I was going, and what I had seen in Albury and Wo- ■ donga, They appeared satisfied with my answers, and the second said, with a pleasant smile and in a cheeiful voice, ‘Well, old man, come and have some lunch.’ I followed them into the bush, where in a little scrub clearing, surrounded by thick scrub, a small fire was burning near a creek. I enjoyed some capital whiskey, first-rate salt meat, bread and butter, and tea out of a pannikin. Dining the meal they asked me some more questions principally concerning the police, and whether I had heard anything about the Kelly gang When my hunger had been appeased, they accompanied me back to the road, and on reaching it the shorter of the two said, ‘ Y ou’d be afraid to meet the Kellys in the bush, wouldn’t you 1” ‘ No,’ I replied, * for I have nothing valuable about me, and besides, it seems to me they only rob banks, shoot policemen, and don’t interfere with travellers.’ ‘Eight you arc,’ said ho, with some strong expletives. ‘ They are not so bloodthirsty as people make them out to be. lam Ned Kelly; and I tell you we are only seeking revenge for bloodshed,’ Wishing me good-bye he rejoined his brother Dan, who, after having carefully extinguished the fire and effaced all trace of it, had remounted his horse.