A Story of John Long.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 150, 16 May 1903, Page 17

A Story of John Long.

TROOPER HAYNE3 was particulaily anxious to catch John Long, known throughout the countiy as Long Jack, a smart young bushman, who, like so many of the bushrangmg fiatoiinty, had graduated from the comparatively innocent game of cattle lifting to the more exciting and more remunerative business of sticking up station homesteads, and compelling young rural bank managers to hand over their cash balance under cover of a revolver. Trooper Haynes had set Ins heart so strongly on capturing Long that he had scarcely been able to think of anythinp- else for a month, and found himself plotting and making deep schemes even over his meals. And yet Trooper Haynes was not ambitious. He had no particular desire to rise in the force, and did not aspire to end his days on a superintendent' 1 ? pension. When he did think of his future he invariably pictured himself as a prosperous farmer, with a nice wife, three or four fine children, a good gun, and the best, horse in the district. That this was a very worthy aspiration in Trooper Haynes no reasonable man will deny True, there was a small matter of £500 on the head of Long Jack, the bushranger, and 'twas true, too, that the squatters would not be slow to recognise the signal service done to the community bv the man who laid Long bv the heels in the nearest goal. But Haynes was not an avaricious man, either, and the £500 had little to do with the craving he had to see Long Jack lvin<z helpless at his feet, with the darbies of Trooper XXI. clipped on his w rir*t . What remained 9 Henrietta Irons' That insinuation brines the blood to the tanned cheeks of Trooper Havnes in hot natche* When Tim Havnes pictured himself as a prosperous farmer, with a nice wife and the other appurtenances, it was always "Harry" Irons who occupied the proud position of the ni< y e wife. Here, too Trooper Haynes must bp held iustified "Harry" Tron<= was the finest handsomest merriest devil "n the district and her eood heart wa<= admitted even bv thr«e who deplored her lack of womanliness. Harry was voted unwomanly bv the gentler members of the gentle sex because of the qualities of her character that differed from their own. She was exuberant, boisterously healthy — her merriment was a madcap emotion, every action of hers betrayed her spirit. It was said she was in love with John Long. "It's like enough," said old Larry, "the devil himself not bein' here for her to fall in love wid'" It was "like enough," Long Jatok being certainly the man most likely to appeal to the adventurous heart of Henrietta Irons, a girl with an almost piratical craving for life and action. Besides. Jack was the finest figure of a man in Australia, and as handlsome a brute as ever stepped in shoe-leather. He had the buccaneer's pride a,nd spirit and, although he could do fine thines, he did not disdain to do evil, and in the teeth of every danger had a loud laugh for his enemies. How could "Harry" helt> lovins; him f When she first met him he came riding alow the road sittiner loosely on hi«j horsei and danelinPt a rifle that Picked her father out and promised mischief. "I want the two hundred you rot for those steers in at B , today, Irons, he said. "I've heard of you old man, and you've kept me waiting these two hours." _„ , , "And who the devil are you p asked old Irons. , F "I'm John Long. If you've heard oj me you won't stop to bargain and snatched her father's revolver from his pocket at this. "Fight him father— fight him' she cried presenting the pistol within a foot of Jack's head. But he was too quick for her, and snatched it from 1 The bushranger looked at the girl for a moment, with open, bold admiration, and then handed the revolver back. "I beg your pardon," he said. "A man shouldn't snatch things from a lady My manners are becoming shameful." "Harry" looked into his eyes, >ier expression changed, and she laughed heartily. „, "We'll excuse your manners it you 11 mend your morals " she said. 'You've no right to blame me, who aie a high-wav robber yourself," he answered I came to rob the father. I vei been robbed bv the daughter, bo on the pair of you I'll never get my own back You are taking my heart with you ray girl " "Haa-ry" looked back as he rode away, and threw the flower from her breast at the bushranger. And that

was why Long Jack n&ked much in hanging round Black Dog, and gave Tiooper Haynes much trouble and uneasiness. Trooper Tim Haynes was a fine man, too, but siiince the Long episode "Hanv" liad scarcely looked Ins way. Haynes gnaw ed his long, fan moustache and pondeued and plotted He saw some things he heard of mo-re, but alas for poor human nature, sympathy was with the handsome outlaw , not with the handsome policeman. Tan hated his rival, and that was not to his discredit, for. despite his clever tongue, his bright air, and the gallant little tricks that gave a touch of romance to his escapades, Long Jack was a oruminial and a scourge. Tim did not hate him for this, it is true, but for the good reason that he was driven by him from the heart of the woman he loved. ''She'd 'a been mine right enough but for him," Tim. told himself, "an' she'll be mine yet, when I've hanged him I" So the tremendous zeal of Trooper Haynes in pursuit of Long Jack is accounted for. But Long Jack baffled his pursuers every time. There was a band of police m the district, devoting its whole attention to- him, but the range and the thick timber beyond Black Dog offered cover in which Long could defy his enemies. Troccper Haynes was located in the district, and had one or two men in his service' who were willing to play s>py on the understanding that nothing should ever be known of it, and that much of the blood money went their way. It was when acting upon information received from one of these that Trooper Haynes stole to the Irons' homestead one dark night-, and, peeping at a crack through which the light shone, discovered Henrietta Irons and John Long sitting together. He could see only the side face of the bushranger and his long legs, as "Harry" sat between the wall and her lawless lover. What Haynes saw turned ham cold with jealous malignity. Harry's arms were about Long's neck, her cheek rested upon his .shoulder. The bushranger was perfectly at his ease, he suspected nothing, and his laugh was free from care. Trooper Haynes watched them, and his jealous hatred grew and warmed within him, but he was cautious, he crushed down the impulse to rush in upon his rival, and seize him, or kill him before "Harry's" eyes, rehsing that that must mean failure. He regretted now that, in his haste, he had not taken steps to give warning to the men at Kyley's. But he had hoped to do this great thing alone — to take Long single-handed. Suddenly as he watched, he saw Long turn to snatch a kiss, "Harry's" arm went out quickly, and the candle was overturned. Havnes drew his revolver, and waited— a flash of suspicion had crossed his mind. But, in a minute or so the candle was re-lit, and, looking again, the trooper saw the figure of Long still resting in "Harry's" arms. What was he to do ? As he stood cogitating, a figure came upon him from the turn of the road just beyond the house. Havnes dropped his revolver, recognising Testro's limp and his twisted baok. "That you, Test™? What the devil are you doing here p " " Tis a-me " replied the Italian humbly, through his black beard. "I go to Kvley's buv-a the wine " "Testro, would you like to earn ten pounds?" ' Mv word, I like-a the ten poun' ver' much " "Well, go to Kvley's see the sergeant, say to him 'Strap.' Just the one word 'Strap.'" "Good." The Italian thrust his bearded face towards Haynes, and whispered "Suppose I take the black horse tied in the' bend." His horse l " cried Haynes involuntarily "Is it there, then s Yes, take it. Ride like the devil'" Testro limped off, and Haynes was left, waiting. He waited three-quarters of an hour consumed with a fever of impatience, increasing his agony every now and asain by a glance at his rival and the girl he loved, sitting happily together, suspecting nothing. The word "Strap" was the signal that would bring the troopers to the house in hot haste. They came at length, very quietly, and Haynes whispered his news to the sergeant The house was surrounded, and Havnes and the sergeant stole to the door. To Trooper Haynes' great surprise he found it neither barred nor bolted. The pair marched straight to the room where the lovers sat. "John Long, I arrest you in the Queen's name'" cried Havnes at the door. "Damnation'" The cry that sprang from, his lips was justified. Tho man sitting by the side of Henrietta

Irons was not Long Jack, but Phil Henty, the son of a neighbouring cockie ' What the deaice does this 1 mean, Havneis?" ejaculated the sergeant. "It means," said the trooper, who had gone deadly pal© under his tan, "that v.c have been tricked. Long Jack was vuth you," he said, turning fiercely on Henrietta. "This man took his place when the light was extinguished. Somebody was spying on me all the time, and warned him. The girl laughed in his face. "How w lse you grow \" she said. "I saw his profile distinctly," continued Hay nes. "By heaven, he got away disguised as Testro." The truth had flashed upon him. "Who is TestroP" asked the sergeant. "The man who brought you the word." "No man brought the word — it was a woman." "Long Jack has tricked us — fooled us." "Fooled you— tricked you, Haynes!" "Yes, by heaven ' And I let him take his on n horse. He told the woman to pass the word on to you in a fit of devilment." "When you have quite finished. Mr. Haynes, will you pleas© remember tihab two's* company P" said "Harry." Haynes swunec upon his heel, and matched froim the house. Long Jack has not been, seen in Australia since, and Henrietta Irons left these shores a few months, after the events narrated. Nobody about Black Dog knew where she went, and Phil Henty did not go with her. An Australian traveller swears that he can identify Peter Tillotson, a) wealthy Texan rancher, with John Long,, the Australian bushranger, and says that Mrs. Tillotson is iust the woman Henrietta Irons would b© at 45, but John Long has no enemies now, and exTrooner Haynes is a fairly successful farmer himself - — Melbourne ""Punch."