The Girl Who Helped Ned Kelly

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 754, 29 August 1929, Page 5

The Girl Who Helped Ned Kelly

By

CHARLES E. TAYLOR

[ Copyright 1

CHAPTER XIX (continued) ‘ Police?’' Jack whispered. “Looks like them. Two of them are going over to O’Donnell’s." Jack asked in alarm. "What about Ned, Dan and Steve?” "They’re all right. Still, I don’t like them knocking about so close to us. Look, there’s Steve, and the troopers are coming his way!” Briant saw with dismay the young outlaw creeping among the rocks at the foot of the circle of giant boulders. His heart almost stood still at the sight of the two tall men coming up the hill in his direction. Once they hesitated and looked as though they intended to turn back, and for a second he breathed more freely. Then, to his horror, he saw them approach the boulders. Steve had seen them, too, for he was flattening himself against the rocks. “If they separate, he’s done for!” gasped Byrne, pushing aside the foliage. "Where are you going?” asked Jack in frightened accents. “If he’s got to make a fight for it, I’m going to be with him!” Jack pulled him back. “For God’s s*ake, Joe, no more bloodshed! Look! They’re keeping together.” They saw the troopers circle the houlders, and one of them squeezed himself into the space inside. Presently he emerged, and Hart came into view again as he played this desperate game of hide-and-seek. Twice they circled the rock, Steve always a few yards ahead of them. The troopers remained for a moment with their back 3 to the scrub. Then one of them retraced his steps, while the other stood still. In mute despair Jack and Joe exchanged glances. If the policeman, who by this time had disappeared. w ent round the other side, Hart’s discovery would be certain. With Pounding hearts they watched and waited. God, there he was! He had completed the circle again. But where was Steve? Where had be mangaged to hide? Where — p rom the gully below' came the faint echo of a shriek, followed by a woman’s cry of “Help!” The troopers listened, and it was repeated. They r an down the hill, taking the fallen timber in their stride. What new horror was this? Jack’s face was as *'hite as that of his companion, and Sreat beads of perspiration stood out °h hi s forehead. Look, there’s Steve!” Hart had emerged from the boulders and was cautiously coming toward them. When he reached the timber

he almost fell at their feet. They helped him along the path to their hiding-place. Panting with excitement, he flung himself on the ground. Presently he sat up. “Hell! that was c-close!” he stammered. “Where did you hide when the trooper came round again?” asked Briant in amazement. “I squeezed In and lay down just on the other side of the rock where the second man was standing. Did you hear a woman scream? It came from O’Donnell’s way?” “Isn’t the girl who lives there a friend of Ned’s?” Briant asked. Neither of them answered him, but he saw by their faces that he was right. “I'm going down to see what’s wrong,” he added. “But —” Jack cut Byrne short. “It’s all right. I’ll work well round the hill, and they won’t see the direction I come from. The chances are I’ll be back soon.” CHAPTER XX JENNIE O’DONNELL When he reached the edge of the timber Jack worked his way among the scrub until he was almost level with the tiny hut that nestled at the foot of the hills. Further to disguise the direction in which he came he cut a diagonal course so that he would leave the scrub at the back of O’Donnell’s, thus giving the impression that he had come due south instead of from the east. At the edge of the clearing he paused. No sound came from the hut. As he approached still closer, however, he heard voices, among them a woman’s. They were talking in quiet, even tones, so that if some danger had prompted the scream and the call for help it seemed to have passed. The back door was open, and through it he saw Jennie and two big men. One he recognised was Constable Martin, but the other w-as a stranger. Martin looked up as he approached. “Here comes Mr. Briant,” he exclaimed, going out to meet him. Jack could scarcely suppress a smile. It was evident that Martin was going out of his way to be respectful. The ; Costello incident had impressed him j very deeply. . , . “I heard someone call for help when I was away back in the scrub, and I hurried over. What was wrong? “Miss O’Donnell trod on a snake, and it curled Itself round her leg. She grabbed it near the head before j it could bite her, and unwound it. Then, just like a woman, when’ all danger was over.” “Did she kill It?” “No, it got away.” “That’s a pity. You must have been close by when she called out. “Oh y-yes ” replied Martin, a little hesitatingly- eh’ “Still hunting for the Kellys, en.

What made you come here when everyone knows they were seen at Wangaratta two days ago?” Martin’s eyes widened. “I never heard that. Who told you?” “I heard it in Benalla last night, and an old chap I met on the road said he expected they'd soon be caught now that they were making north.” “Who was he?” was the trooper’s eager inquiry. “I don’t know. A sandy whiskered old fellow, riding a flea-bitten grey mare.” Martin rubbed his chin reflectively. “Was he a tall man?” “No —no, inclined to be short, with a bit of a east in one eye.” Martin thought again. “That’s queer—l can’t place anyone like that. Maybe a stranger.” "I shouldn’t say so from his conversation.” The other man came out of the hut, and Martin introduced him as Constable Treloar. He was a tall, rangy man with a big black moustache. ‘T’ve heard a bit about you,” he grinned, as he extended a long, knobby hand. Jack laughed. ■ “That guess of mine about Costello seems to have attracted a lot of attention.” “I was sent up from Melbourne to take Costello’s place,” Treloar volunteered. “You’re lucky.” “How do you mean?” “Well, it’ll be easy to prove yourself a better man. Costello seemed to imagine that because he was a policeman he owned the country. He said things to Sam Jackson that no constable has a right to say to any old m-n.” “Jackson’s the Kelly sympathiser I told you about,” Martin interposed. “How do you know that?” asked Jack. Martin smiled. “We all know that.” “Then why don’t you arrest him?” “We’re sure he’s helping the Kellys in some way, but we can’t get anything on him.” “You mean he’s too clever for you.” Martin winced. “Well, we haven’t oeen able to get any direct evidence against him —yet.” “Still' hopeful?" "Of course we are. If you told us all you knew, now—-” "I’m afraid that wouldn’t help you very much. If you knew old Sam as well as I do you would know that he doesn’t usually advertise his business before the world.” “He’s as cunning as a wharf rat, but —well, you never can tell. What’s the matter?” A gasp of surprise came from Briant. who, looking toward the hut, saw the face of Ned Kelly momentarily framed in the window! “An eagle—the biggest one I’ve ever seen,” he replied, pointing over the roof of the house. “Look! He may come over the trees again. The two troopers turned and

watched the sky for a minute or two. “Must be flying low. I’d no idea they grew so big,” Briant went on. “I’ve seen ’em with a seven-foot wing spread,” said Treloar. “A fellow like that can carry off a pretty big lamb.” “Which way are you making for now?” Martin asked, after a pause. “Going back to Jacobson’s, by any chance ?” “I’m not sure,” Jack replied. “I’m a wanderer, you know, and like change. I wonder if old O’Donnell would give me a job?” Martin nudged his companion. “Trust him to look for a job where there’s a pretty girl about.” “Is there a pretty girl here? They told me O’Donnell had a daughter, but I imagined she was over 40. Thanks for the tip. By jove, you’re right!” he added, as Jennie O'Donnell came through the door toward them. "Good afternoon,” she said to Jack, with) a smile that revealed her glistening teeth. “This is Mr. Briant,” said Martin. “I’ve heard my cousin, Nita Jacobson, speak of you.” Nita! Jack felt a tug at his heartstrings. He had treated her badly in running away without a word of farewell, and he felt a little ashamed of himself. “I hope she didn’t give me too bad a character,” he laughed. “Nita wouldn’t do that,” she replied. Martin looked meaningly at Treloar. “We’d better be getting away.” A shade of annoyance crossed the girl’s face. “I was wondering,” she said, “whether you would do something for me before you go. It isn’t often we have three strong men here at one time. Dad and I have tried for days to shift that log over there, but It’s too heavy for us. We’re going to build a shed there when we clear the tree away.” “Always at the service of the ladles,” replied Martin, with an exaggerated bow. The fallen tree indicated by the girl was a big one. The branches had been lopped off, so that only the trunk remained. “I don’t know what Dad did with the poles we tried to roll It with.” Jennie said, looking around. “We mightn’t need them,” said Treloar, stooping down and placing his hands on the log. “Now then, all together.” Their combined strength failed to move it an inch. “It’s heavier than you think,” laughed the girl. “We’ll shift it, never fear,” said Martin, looking about him. "Ah! here we are.” Walking over to where a heap of saplings lay, he pulled out a thick one. “If we can find a couple more we’ll be right.” Eventually three suitable poles were found, and the log was levered into the position desired by Jennie, who every now and then stole anxious glances in 'the direction of the hills. As the three men papsed for breath she looked again, and what she saw evidently pleased her, for she turned to them with grateful smiles. “Thank you very much. It’s very good of you.” Martin w-aved a deprecatory hand. When they had gone Jack turned eagerly to her. “Did Ned get away?” “How did you know?” she asked, wonderingly. “I saw him look out of the* window. I guessed your log-rolling scheme was to delay the troopers. You’re a clever girl. Miss O’Donnell.” She beamed her pleasure. “Won’t you call me Jennie?" “By all means. Was Ned ia the

house all the time those two were here?” “Ned and Dan, too.” “Wasn’t that risky?” She laughed merrily. “They’d never think I’d call them if we had bushrangers in the house.” Big-eyed he said: “Then the snake was a fake, too?” She smiled again. “You see,” she explained, as she led Jack Inside, “Steve Hart was here, too. He went to go back to the hills just as the troopers came along. They must have caught sight of him because they followed him. We watched them. It looked dangerous, so I called for help.” "That was very clever of you,” said Briant, admiringly. “And when they came to your rescue you told them the snake yarn.” "Don’t give me any credit for that,” she laughed. “That was Ned’s idea.” CHAPTER XXI UNCLE JOE "Are you going back to Uncle’s?” Jennie asked. “I—don’t—know.” “You left pretty suddenly, didn't you? What made you do it?” “To spy on you!” She sat up with a start. “To spy on me?” “Don’t be alarmed at that,” he laughed. “I did it for Ned’s sake.” He saw, with some misgiving, how her eyes lighted at the mention cf the outlaw’s name. “I wanted to help Ned, but he wouldn’t let me go with him. I knew he came to see you—” “How did you know that?” with heightened colour. “The usual little bird. I watched this place for two days and two nights, and I can tell you it was dreary work. It isn’t all honey hiding in the bush during a cold spell like this, although it is November.” He saw the pity in her eyes, and knew that it was of Ned and not of himself that she was thinking. "I watched you hide that bag of food, and when Ned came for it I followed him up the mountain. I spent last night with them.” “Did they let you see The Ledge?” “The Ledge? Oh, is that what you call it? They couldn’t have got rid of me—unless they threw me over the cliff. This morning I showed them how to light a fire without the smoke showing, and we had some steaming hot tea.” “That was very good of you, Mr—” “Jack.” “Jack, then. Why did you do this for Ned?” “Because I like him.” There was a world of gratitude in her big blue eyes. “I want to help him, but he won’t let me. They’ll have to leave Australia—it’s their only chance. He could send for you later,” he added, as he noticed her dismay. She shook her head. “Ned can’t go yet!” "Everyone says that, but 1 don't see why,” he said, a little irritably. "I could arrange the whole thing if they’d let me.” "Oh, if you only could!” "I can, I tell you—” Something sounded like a footstep outside. Jennie looked at him in a way that signified a warning. They had bden talking in undertones, hut now she raised her voice.

"So you like the bush, Mr. Briant, in spite of its roughness?” "I do, Miss O’Donnell,” he teplied She laughed. "I thougut you might have been scared by the Kellys.” “Oh, no. By the way, what's Ned like? I’d like to see him.” “Oh, a big chap with a brown oeard.” “Have you ever seen him?” "Many a time before he became a bushranger.” "And never since?” She hesitated before replying. “I’m — I’m not quite sure. One day my cousin pointed out a man to me and said he was Ned Kelly, but I believe she made a mistake.” “Aren't you scared of him?” Jennie laughed. "Not a bit. None of them ever interferes with a woman.” "So they tell me. It’s a shame to see a chap like Ned going to the devil ” She winced, but her tone was quite casual as she replied, "It is, isn't It. Let’s talk of s'-nsthing pleasant. Dirt you like my cousin, Nita?” “Very much. She’s a hard girl to understand, though.” “She is,” Jennie agreed. “She’s fearfully moody, yet—” There was a knock at the door. In response to her "Come in!” Jonstable Martin entered the room. "I'm sorry to disturb you,” he said, “but I’ve lost my notebook. I wondered if I dropped it here.” “I don’t think so, but we'll have a look.” The three of them made a careful, but unsuccessful, search. "It doesn’t seem to be here,” remarked Jack. “Perhaps it fell out of

your pocket when we were shifting that log.” And he led the way outside. There was still no sign of it, and Martin turned to them with an apologetic air. "I’m sorry to have been a nuisance, but it had some notes in it I wouldn’t like to lose.” They watched him go through the slip panel before re-entering the hut. "He was listening,” said Jennie, a little anxiously. "I don’t think he heard until you so smartly changed the conversation. Jennie, is every bush girl as clever as you and Nita and Kate?” She flushed with pleasure. "You pay me a great compliment when you speak of me in the same breath as Nita and Kate.” "You’re all so wonderful,” he exclaimed. "You’re so unlike—so unlike ” "So unlike the city girls you know. Is that what you were going to say? I’m sorry”—as she noted his changed expression. “You’re quite unlike them, I’m glad to say.” The bitterness of his tone did not escape her. “I shouldn’t have asked you that, because I see it hurt you.” “There are memories ti"t hurt me very much, Jennie, I’m ashamed to admit. When I left Melbourne I swore I’d forget everything, but it’s hard—damned hard.” “You’re not going to stay in the bush, are you?” she asked after a long silence, her eyes softened by pity. “I don’t know. The chances are I will, though. There are very few in

Melbourne who care —now. Here I am free to do as I like —if the police only let me,” he added with a mirthless laugh. ”1 wish I could help you,” she said. He turned to her eagerly. “You can help me, and Ned, and yourself. Try to persuade them to clear out before the police get too strong. The black trackers ” The girl uttered a despairing cry, and covered her face with her hands. “We mustn’t let them get him, Jennie. They must get away! You’ll have to part with him for a while.” She turned her tear-dimmed eyes to him. “I’d do anything to save him! If he’d be safe I’d part with him to-mor-row, even if it meant I’d never see him again. Never —see —him—again.” She whispered it shudderingl?. “Don’t let us look on the black side of things. There’s a way out, I’m sure.” “I wonder if there is a bright side?” she said, more to herself than to him. "Of course there is! I’ve made you gloomy, and I’m sorry. You can rely on me to do all I can. And I’m sure I can succeed. I’ll go back to Ned and try again to persuade him to leave the country.” He rose, but she laid a detaining hand on his arm. “You won’t find Ned.” “Won’t he be at The Ledge?” She shook her head. “They told me they were moving on.” (To be continued tomorrow)