Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Vol. 1 (of 2) : $b Being the journal of a naturalist in those countries, during 1832, 1833 and 1834Bennett, George
History
Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast, Singapore, and China, Vol. 1 (of 2) : $b Being the journal of a naturalist in those countries, during 1832, 1833 and 1834
Bennett, George
Asia -- Description and travel; Natural history -- Australia -- New South Wales; New South Wales -- Description and travel
A female of one of the aboriginal tribes in the Murrumbidgee country
formed an attachment and cohabited with a convict named Tallboy, who,
becoming a bush-ranger, was for a long time sought after by the police
for the many atrocities he had committed, but always eluded pursuit.
This female concealed him with true native ingenuity, and baffled his
pursuers—she would fish and hunt for him, whilst he remained secluded in
the retreat she chose. She often visited the stock-keepers’ huts at the
different stations, and whatever provision she received from them was
immediately conveyed to the unworthy object of her devoted attachment.
Although many knew she was privy to his concealment, yet it was found
impossible to elude her vigilance, by following her, and thus discover
his retreat:—she evaded all attempts; and seemed ever watchful for his
safety, probably knowing the fate that awaited him, if taken. Neither
promises of rewards—enough to excite the cupidity of any individual, but
one in whom a higher feeling was paramount—nor threats could induce her
even to acknowledge she was acquainted with his place of concealment,
much more betray it. Nay, it has occurred more than once, when there was
a fear of discovery, that she has given voluntary information to the
police of having seen him thirty or fifty miles distant, when, in fact,
his place of concealment was in the immediate neighbourhood. The brute,
however, manifested no kindred affection with this female, but would
frequently beat and ill-use her.
Whilst she administered to him the refreshing cup of kindness, he
bestowed on her misery in return. He had in one instance given way to his
natural brutish disposition, by ill-treating the being who had done so
much for him,—when he was on the verge of discovery, indeed had himself
given up all hopes of escape, when she again saved him, by engaging
to point out to the police his place of retreat, and absolutely led
them away, under that pretence, in a contrary direction, affording her
paramour both time and opportunity to seek out a safer asylum. When she
arrived with the police at the spot she had informed them he last was,
he of course was not there, and a strict search in the vicinity was
equally unsuccessful: she then left them to continue their pursuit after
the criminal, pretending to know nothing further respecting him or his
place of concealment. At last he was captured by venturing out too boldly
during her absence, was tried, condemned, and expiated his offences on
the scaffold at Sydney.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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