A SMART ROBBER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 227, 8 September 1875, Page 2

A SMART ROBBER.

One of the most wonderful robberies ever perpatsated— wonderful, at least when one considers the . means at the disposal of the robber — was the achievement of » Frenchman, who, for a long time after it, was recognised in hia profession as «• She King of the Bandits." His claim to this title was based upon a single exploit — the robbing of a dili- ■ gehce, which be not only, planned, but carried into successful osecsition, without any assistance whatever. To do * a ! 8 M m ?de all bis arrangements with tbe most careful completeness, and, we may be sure, fixed ivnight for the attack when the coach carrtea a freight worth'robbing. He studied closely the country through which the journey was to be made, and selected a point oh the road where there was a very steep hill, with hedges and underwood afc either side He then procured a number of stout sticks about the thickness of the barrel of a gun.. These he stuck into the hedges, letting the heads of them appear, as if they were the muzzles of guns directed by persona in ambuscade behind the hedge. An the diligence now came toiling np the hill, the driver saw a man standing on the pathway and geiiscalating violently. On approaching nearer, she man could be heard distinctly haranguing then. "Ready ! Obey order! No firing if there be no resistance!"' And then the robber, walking slowly forward, stopped the horses; told the guard to gefc down and to He with his face and hands on the ground, and that no violence would be offered to him. He then went to the door of the vehicle, and assuring the ladies, who were screaming for help, that they need be under no alarm, begged each passenger, as he stepped out, to hand him his purse, then to He down on his face and near the guard. While this drama was being enacted, the robber chief kept shouting to his assistants not to fire unless 'there were resistance; not to fire until they got his signal. Thus, one by one, be banded all the passengers out, each giving up his purae as if it was : a ticket, and then going and lying on the wet grass Bide by side with the guard. When the diligence was empty, our highwayman retired with all the moveable property he desired to possess himself of, and escaped through the wood. Tbe most amusing part of the story was that amongst the travellers were several officers fully armed, who surrendered their swords at discretion, and joined the other dupes on the grass. It is well to add that the robber was ultimately apprehended, and the greater part of the stolen property was found on him.