The Last of the Bushrangers: An Account of the Capture of the Kelly GangHare, Francis Augustus
History
The Last of the Bushrangers: An Account of the Capture of the Kelly Gang
Hare, Francis Augustus
Brigands and robbers -- Australia; Kelly, Ned, 1855-1880
We were greatly excited at the prospect of securing Power, as he
had baffled so many officers and men for the last eighteen months.
At twelve o'clock we mounted our horses, and L---- was to lead the
way to the place arranged, within sight of the Quinns' house. When
there, we could decide on what was best to be done after seeing the
surroundings of the house. We started away and got entangled amongst
high ferns, logs, and creeks. We kept on riding for miles, and at last
found--whether designedly or otherwise--that L---- had lost himself
utterly. We were in despair! I asked the black-fellow whether he could
find his way back to the point from which we started. He replied, "Yes,
you have been going round and round all night." He then took the lead,
and in half an hour showed us the log we had started from. We again set
out, my clerk leading the way, as he alone besides L---- knew anything
about the country, and in an hour's time we arrived in sight of the
long-looked-for house. We decided to leave our horses in charge of
Donald, about 300 yards from the Quinns' house, while the four of us
endeavoured to pass the house unobserved.
No sooner had we dismounted than a terrific fall of rain commenced
again, which was very much in our favour, as the dogs no doubt would
seek shelter, and the peacock put his head beneath his wing. It was a
most exciting moment. Strange to say, we passed the door in safety,
having to keep within a few feet of the house, where some of the
biggest ruffians in the colony were sheltered. Very much relieved
at having succeeded, we began the ascent of the mountain behind the
house. L---- had given us a good description of the locality where
Power was camped. He told us it was a most difficult place to find.
He had followed a track for some time, and had dropped pieces of bark
and leaves of trees, so that we might know it again. He also described
a hollow tree along the track, with a few old rags in it, within 200
or 300 yards of the spot where Power had his gunyah. We searched and
searched for this track, but could find no trace of it. Our excitement
was growing intense. It was just getting daylight, and it was more
necessary that we should reach Power if possible before he awoke, as,
in addition to being well armed, the country was so rugged that if
he saw or heard us approach he could escape, and it would be next to
impossible to find him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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