A BRAVE WOMAN.

Evening Star, Issue 4015, 8 January 1876, Page 3

A BRAVE WOMAN.

The ‘ Despatch ’ states that recently some prowling vagabonds made tbeir appearance in the neighborhood of Dubbo, and robbed some dAvelling-houses. Among the sufferers Avas Mr J. O. Norton, P.M., Eulanmgo Plain. On the night of the 21st Mr Noiltn being absent from home, the sen-ant (Mrs Wells) and the Misses Norton Avere sitting in the kitchen Avhen they heard a footstep at the back. Mrs Wells went outside and called out “Who’s that; is that you, Mrs Norton?” Mrs Norton, Avho Avas inside the house at the time, having heard herself called, answered “Yes.” Mrs Wells then saAv a figure gliding along, and said, “ There’s some man.” The Misses Norton, Avith the dogs, Aveut a short distance in the direction the figure Avent, and saAv a man standing under a tree. The dogs Avere set upon the felloAV, and Mrs Wells and the young ladies then returned to the house. The servant at once took up a doublebarrelled pistol, Avhich Avas kept loaded and Aveut towards the tree Avliere the man Avas standing, She endeavored to fire the pistol at him, but the cap snapped. Bhc returned to tiic house, recapped the pistol, and then wont and fired off the other barrel Lu tuo direction of Avhcre the man had been standing. They thou returned to the house and reloaded the pistol. Some time after they Aveut outside, and found a box open and some goods taken. On the 6th of August, Mr Norton, avlio as deputy-sheriff had to attend ou the judge, was in Dubbo; Mrs Wells, the servant, and Miss Norton Avere in the kitchen, and Mrs Norton and another of her daughters were inside. There avitc some blacks encamped about a quarter of a mile from the house, making a great, noise. Mrs Wells and Miss Norton xyent on the ’'"crandali. Norton had her attention called "by Mrs Wells to footstep;:, and Mus Norton went inside, got* i ho pistol, and told v icther that Mis Wei!., had heard r-on one leaving the camp and -. fining towards the blouse, fchc returned with the pistol to the servant, and the two remained for about a fj'iuitei’ of aii koui' listejibg o- the

verandah. Shortly after, Mrs Wells went through the kitchen, and stood outside the front door. She saw a figure leaning over a post about twenty yards away. Mrs Wells called out, “Is that Tom ?” thinking it was her husband, who is a selector at .the back of Mr Norton’s land. She again sang out, “Tom Wells, if you don’t answer. I’ll shoot you.” Again no answer, and Mrs Wells fired both barrels. The man then rushed away, and, Mrs Wells, and Miss Norton ran to the house, reloaded the pistol, returned to the corner of the house, and watched for about an hour, when they heard heavy breathing, and footsteps going in the direction of where the aboriginals were camped. They stood close together-, listened for some time, and heard something whizzing past their heads between them. Looked in the direction whence came the missile, and saw the figure of a man standing about forty yards away from the end of the kitchen. Mrs Welis fired both barrels of the pistol, and went back to the .house and reloaded. All the family and Mrs Wells were now inside the bedroom, and while there heard the growls of a dog tied up in front of the house. Mrs Wells went into an adjoining room, which opens into the verandah, and at once saw a half-caste on the verandah, just in the act of stepping through the parlor door. Mrs Wells called out to Mrs Norton and the family, “Don’t come out,” and immediately fired. As soon as the shot was fired Miss Norton ran out, and as she did she saw the fellow jump back as if hit, and run away in the direction of the camp. On Monday, the 9th, Mrs Wells, while going to a neighbor’s house, observed two m§n, a black and a half - caste, near the creek at the opposite side. She recognised both—the half-caste as the mail she had fired upon. His head was bound up with his handkerchief, and he walked lame, and used a stick as a support. She returned at once and information was given to the police. Constable and a tracker were sent out, and they found the tracks, but from the nature of the country could not follow them any distance. However, as the halfcastc has been wounded, he cannot well escape.