AN ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THUNDERBOLT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 42, Issue I, 28 November 1868, Page 5

AN ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THUNDERBOLT.

The "Walgett correspondent of the " Maitland Mercury " gives the following account of the late desperate affray between the police and the bushrangers :—: — From Tarrinbah the police pursued the bushrangers, headed by seniorconstable M'Cabe. They started in the direction of St. Georges-bridge, but doubling-round upon the police, rode fast along the arid country between the Bree and Gulgoa. At Milroy the bushrangers crossed the Q-uJgoa, and, displaying the most perfect knowledge of the country, made across the waterless waste of back plains in the direction of Ledanapre Springs. Reaching Ledanapre, the bushrangers s s tole two fine horses and again left, going in the direction of Belalie, on the "Warrega Two hours after, the indefatigable M'Cabe led his little troop to the spot, which consisted of one Queensland trooper and two black trackers. The bushrangers had much the advantage of the police, as they had only to make tracks, while the police had to ride the same pace and watch the tracks also, being compelled to camp upon the tracks at night, while the pursued were still foraging ahead. Ascertaining their appearance from a certain party, and feeling his suspicions justified by the description given him, he again started on the tracks, having followed them already, without rest or refreshment, for near two hundred miles, reaching Belalie on the Lower "Warrego, he heard that the bushrangers had left that place three hours previously, and gone in the direction of Shearer's pub-lic-house, which lay fifteen miles lower down the creek. And with jaded horses overcome by exhaustion and fatigue, and prolonged fasting, and in a country in which he and his three companions were strangers, this energetic and praiseworthy fellow, without ever recruiting, again gave chase. We may here observe that M'Cabe believed that ho was following Thunderbolt. No stranger, he argued, could travel so fasfr in such a desert, and display such an intimate knowledge of the country ; and from the description he obtained of Mm upon the road, he felt positive of it. However, Shearer's public-house is in sight, and horses are tied at the door ; by some tact M'Cabo approached it uuobsoryed, and was just m time to prevent another flight of the bushrangers, who rushed to the horses. Mac's demand for their surrender was answered by a volley of revolver balls, I each bushranger firing ona in each hand. The fight was desperate— hand to hand ; the black trackers declined to fire, and it resolved itself into two I to two. - M'Oabe tackled the man he supposed tq b.e, Thunderbolt, and both fought 1 like Spartans, whilst the Queensland trooper closed with the othor. Once M'Cabe's antagonist told him he had not got Kelly to deal with (M'Cabe took Kelly), while at this moment M'Cabe managed *to dexterously saoot the pistol from his grasp, i and ruahing up was about to grasp him ,for a struggle, when the bushranger, with a rapidity almost marvel-

lous, secured the pistol in his left hand, and, springing back, fired full at the gallant Mac, when this fearless and devoted fellow fell dangerously, if not mortally, wounded. His opponent was again about to fire, but seeing his brave antagonist prostrate, he lowered his pistol, and added, " By Or — , you're game." Had the bushrangers here closed on the unsupported trooper, his life must have been sacrificed, but they withdrew from the contest and allowed him to attend to his apparently dying mate, aud getting upon their horses rode away. A special messen* ger was immediately despatched to Bourke, and sergeant Cleary and Dr. Eoberts left Bourke for the scene of the outrage on the day following the collision.