A KELLY GANG INCIDENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2314, 17 August 1880, Page 2

A KELLY GANG INCIDENT.

SECOND EDITION

A correspondent writes to the “Geelong Times ” the following story, givingone of the incidents of the long siege of the Kellys : —“Although the fact of the desperadoes being the whole time in the vicinity of the scenes of their exploits was known to the police, the robbers wore never actually seen to be recognised, save by the sympathisers, for a period of [about thirteen months. The occasion on which they were unconsciously under cover of one at least of the police rifles is told as follows: Shortly after the Jcrilderic bank robbery it appears that Shorritt proffered on several occasions to lead the police to where the Kellys were, but fearing treachery on the part of one who was supposed to be ‘ hand and glove ’ with them the offers were declined. At length, it having reached the oars of Superintendent Hare that the outlaws were not very far away in the ranges, and that Sherritt was prepared to point them out, he accepted the offer. Taking with him a single trooper (Philips. I think), the three sailed forth at nightfall, and traversed a mile of the rugged country, till at about the hour of two in the morning. ‘ Hist !' from the lips of Sherritt brought the little parry to a halt. Pointing to a small dickering lire some 200 yards away, ho whispered ‘There they are but to make assurance doubly sure, he crept forward near enough to recognise each of the four

laws beyond douln. Emuming :o Vi sm and the troopor. ho s.rhi ' Sure eneng;

it's thorn. Go forward and sshsty yourself. Put (ho only favor I ash < —don't shoot Joe Bvrne. Give him a

cliauce to got away. And now I n.inst go. If it was known that I was hero, my life would not bo worth one hour to mo,’ and ho disappeared. Wo oan well imagine that.for a moment.Mr Haro looked at the troopor, and the trooper at Haro. ' Are you ready for them r' asked the latter. " I’ll do whatever you ask mo, sir.' answered the trooper. ‘ Thou remain here, and hold the horses in readiness to assist mo at any instant.’ The conversation, of course, went on in whispers, and as it ended the ofliccr glided stealthily forward in the darkness, till within an easy range of prey. Now came the risk. To ensure anything like safety, lie must for certain pick off two of the outlaws. Once, twice, a dozen times lie raised his rifle and took aim, but the unsteady dickering of the small lire, and the uneasy movements of the bushrangers, marred the certainty of the shot. Upon that shot hung life with sonic thousands of of pounds on the one hand ; death on the other. It was a time of unimaginable anxiety ; but he determined to wait for the dawn, and slowly enough the hours crept on. At last the day broke, while he watched the spot with increasing eagerness, till the light was sufficient to show him that the birds had flown. Doubtless the snorting of the horses, or some sound had fallen upon the practised ears of the band and scared them. On examining the spot, it was found that a meal was in course of preparation, for the billyh was still boiling on the dre. And thus passed the greatest and only chance, until the grand finale, of settling the Kellys.”