A Tale of the Otago Diggings, 1862.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 55, 5 August 1890, Page 3

A Tale of the Otago Diggings, 1862.

Written for the “ Pelorus Guardian" ! 1 [All Rights Reserved.) 1 {Continued.) Striking a match he lit a candle and by its aid soon found some line and straps, with which he tied up the prisoners in a very artistic manner. That done Brian asked what they bad done with his mate, telling them to answer truly if thev valued their lives. The prisoners looked at each other and one remarked the game is up Bill, clean, returned his mate, and we are done for. Your mate’s inside there he (continued pointing to an inner department 6f the care, he h#s had a crack on the bead but is recovering fast. With one bound Brian gained the inner recess and ttie next moment reappeared bearing Denny in bis arms, in an instant he cut trie bonds that bound his mate and then it was a sight to see these tiro strong men bagging each other and crying like babies. As Ephraim looked on, bis rugged countenance became wonderfully softened, and hm eyes showed strong signs otf dampness, however be kept his feelings under and in a little while exclaimed

gruffly, when you two hev done hugging each other like a pa’r o’ old grizzlies, jist stow yer water-works and let Denny give me a grip of his paw, Denny seized his hand and shook it violenty for some seconds, Thet will do, at last cried Ephraim, I wor not in want of a galvanic shock, yer a purty sort o’ a corpse ye are anyhow. Howsomodever I’m glad to find you so strong, where’s the other skunks gone I to ole boss. Into the township replied Denny, to sell the gould, and to buy some rUm or whiskey, they tuk me unawares, the barndoor savages, bad scran to thim. Ye see bhoys I wor agoing to pass their

place widout stopping whin wan ov

thim come out quite friendly like, an axed me to have a drink ov tay. Never draming of mischief I consinted like a fool, and wint into their hut; but signs an it wan ov the divils wor behint the door, an’ he felled me like a bullock wid the handle ov a pick, I reraimbered no more until I found raeself laying in the cave here tightly bound as ye found me. I

Barring they would not loose ma ihey trated mo well enough, an’

promised to let me go in a few days, but by the mortal gobb the man that gave me th’s welt on the head will have to pay for it now ye two are to.the fore.

Was it either ov them villains eagerly enquired Brian. No, replied Denny, the chap who did it has gone to sell the gould, but sure we’ll cotch him tomorrow arternoon when he returns.

I guess thet’s so said Ephraim, we’ll hev him for sartint, hut in the meantime this here orphan wants a feed he does. 1 say holt here Brian, and let’s take these rascals inside. Brian complied, and then produced the brandy bottle which still contained a drink for the three friends.

Then Ephraim, asking Brian to make up the fire, took the billy and went to the creek for water. In a short time they had a comfortable meal.ready, but before eating it Brian observed don’t ye’s think it would be a pious notion to lambaste these bastes jist to give us an appetite. What do ye say Denny ? Sure the divil a wan ov me cares what ye do wid them, but they were not so bad a* the other two. Wot do ye say Ephraim 1

I’m not on, cried the Yankee, ’twould lie contrary to law and disrespectful to Jedge Lynch, an thet’s me this time, no, no, sonny, we’ll try them and sentence them when we cotch the other two, come on, the coort, leastways the jedge, wants his breakfast.

When they had done smoking Ephraim related to Denny the way in which they- had found him. Glory to ye’s said Denny, 1 knew Brian would be an the trail, but it was a good job he kept clear of thim, they wor look ing for him, an’ if they had got him sorra a doubt but they would hev killed us both, for we should not have been missed for months, if at all. As soon as the day dawned the Yankee told his mate to take a sleep for a fow hours while he kept watch, promising to rouse them when time. Taking his advice the two friends were soon locked in a sound slumber. :

Ephraim then having filled his pipe and examined his revolver went in to see the prisoners in order, as he remarked to himself, that they might behold the luxury of beholding him smoke.

After he had sat smoking some few minutes in silence one of the prisoners asked viiat he was going to do with them. i,

Take»ye before Jedgj Lynch said the Yankee sternly. There’s no judge nearer than Dunedin remarked the than.

The H-—I thar ain’t replied the Yankee, jes’ you look byar sonny, I represent a jedge thet’s known all over this airth, leastways whar thyar’s any diggings, and this (showing bis revolver), Are my diploma. After.a p tre he added, now sonny thet you know my position I expect you’ll treat this coort with respect, for by the great coon of Kentucky I’m in airnest and ho mistake.

You be blanked answered the man, you took me unawares, it ray hands were loose now I could make yer squirm in two minnits.

No sonny ye wouldn’t woull yer, drawled Ephraim. I would, curse you, retorted the man, unbind me and try. Not a purpose said Ephraim, but I’ll remember my man when the coort sits, and perhaps you will alter your mind when that time comes.

He then passed out and eyed Denny and Brian who were still fast asleep. Jerusalem, he muttered, how cosy they look, I shan’t b« sorry when my turn comes. Meantime I’ll overhaul the premises, maybe I shall find something useful, looking closely around he soon discovered a quantity of ammunition and two double-barn 1 guns; Ah, he muttered, this will help to pay the expenses of the coort if nothing better tnrns up. Further search disclosed a quantity of provisions and clothes, with a few pounds of tobacco. Finding the guns were unloaded, he charged them and put them on one side.

When the proper time he aroused the Irishmen and shewing th«m the guns,

ig laid down in their place telling the a, not to let him sleep too long as ! y wanted to arrange a plan to captu the other robbers on their return fro it j the township. II Accordingly after he had enjoyed n few hours sound sleep, Brian, who ha y prepared some dinner aroused him t -- partake of it. After their repast tl 0 three friends held a council of war t e to arrange the best mode of capturin the returning robbers, a Denny and Brian both comraencin 9 to speak at once, were interrupted b e the Yankee, who sternly exclaimei . silence in coort, treat the Bench witl r the respect it merits. r Denny being the youngest, we wil 1 hear him first, fire away sonny, and le . us hear how you. would take them. , Faith thin it’s raeself won’t be long 1 1 doing that same said Denny, sure we’l ( jist hide in the door av the cave an : collar the bastes as they come in afo r ( they git a chance to use their firelocks, that’s one plan bhoys an sure ye won’t betther it much. I Ephraim grinned but without comment asked Brian for his plan. The div‘l a worrud have 1 to say answered Brian, sure Denny’s laid out , an illigant plan intirely, an’ all we have to do is to carry it out. Thet’s so rejoined Ephraim, we hev only jist got to carry it out. But see here sonny’s, if you expect them skunks to walk into sich a trap as thet on their return ye’re both a darned sight greener nor I took ye for. No, no, ye kin bet thur’s signals agreed on ’atween these rogues and ef wo don’t get possession of ihose signals we’ve got to fight we her afore the affair gits settled. Therefore we must find out from our prisoners the way to make all sure, and to effect that object boys ye had better bring them afore the coort. In accordance with his wish Denny and Brian brought the men out, and Ephraim thus addressed them: Prisoners at the Bar, this coort wishes to know what the private signals agreed on between you and your mates to let them know that the coast is clear on their return. {To be continued.)