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Southland Times, Issue 726, 20 September 1867, Page 6

The " Nelson " Colonist " of the Ist instant, ga y S . — Yesterday afternoon, another of the working party of convicts attempted to escape the vigilance of the overspers, and get away over the hills at the back of the Botanical Gardens. The party were occupied in levelling a portion of this reserve, when, about four o'clock, one of the gang named Thompson was observed by both the overseers to drop his barrow and run behind a rocky projection at the base of the hill. One of the overseers, M'Donald, remained in charge of the work-, ing party, while the other, Macmahon, started in pursuit of Thompson, who mado off up the hill at top speed, availing himself of every corner and obstacle which the rough nature of the ground afforded, to screen him from the fire of his pursuer, who, with musket in hand, was pressing closely after. On coming to a turn, Macmahon got sight of the fugitive and fired, but without effect. The chase continued to the top of the hill, without the distance — which the prisoner had obtained at starting, about 100 yards — being much lessened between them. Down the other side and up another rise went the pursued, and dur- ; ing this space Macmahon had made three more ' shots from his revolver, running all the time. • On gaining the top of the second hill and plunging into the scrub which covered the second decent, Macmahon found tbit he had gained considerably upon Thompson, who now showed signs of distress, and at tho bottom of the declivity was- challenged by Macmahon, who had still two shots left in his revolver, and told to surrender. Exhausted by his efforts, in a run which had lasted nearly half an hour, Thomson, on finding his determined pursuer so close upon him, threw himself on the ground, crying, " Shoot me, shoot me." " No," said Macmahon, " I'll not shoot you, but I'll take you back." " Shoot me now," said the prisoner, " for I would far rather be shot than go back." A civilian had by this time arrived on the spot, and the prisoner then got up and quietly retraced his steps with his plucky captor, who shortly afterwards lodged him in the lock-up. Thompson was one of the party of three who were convicted of sticking-up Nicholas at the Buller, and in that transaction was the mate of Anderson, who, it will he remembered, himself made an ineffectual attempt a short time since to escape from Nelson hy way of the Matai Valley, but was- captured, by Mr Smith at the. Stag?,