Lindigo, the White Woman/Chapter 18
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHASING THE BUSHRANGERS.
Charlie Stuart took up a large block of fine land, which he stocked and formed into a station, after which he went back to Sydney, accompanied by Donald, in the expectation of meeting with Bella, whom Mr. McKay informed him by letter was on her way out and was daily expected. On his arrival he was greatly disappointed and alarmed, the vessel not having, arrived although considerably overdue.
In the interval, Donald and Mary were married, and as Charlie could not wait any longer, he was compelled to return to his station, taking with him Donald as overseer, and Mary as housekeeper. Mr. McKay promised to send word by special messenger as soon as the ship arrived, but that happy event never occurred; for years passed away without any news concerning the missing vessel, which filled all parties with intense sorrow. Charlie was thus once more plunged into grief, and this time apparently without the least hope of enjoying the slightest happiness. He blamed himself for encouraging Mr. McKay to send for his niece, and the uncle took all the blame upon his own shoulders, which prayed upon his mind and ultimately brought him to his grave.
Mary (now Mrs. Munro) shared in the universal grief at the loss of her young mistress, and named her first born after her.
On one of his trips to Sydney, Charlie became acquainted with a very respectable and worthy family, named Forbes, the head of which was a brother to the Advocate in Edinburgh, and one of the earliest and wealthiest squatters in the colony. The eldest of the family, a young lady possessing many attractions, was engaged to a gentleman by the name of Melville, who had lately arrived; he was possessed of considerable wealth and was searching for stations, and on his return the marriage was to be celebrated.
This Mr. Melville (whom Charlie had not as yet seen) was also an acquaintance of the Forbes' in Edinburgh, but Charlie could not recollect that name among the visitors at the Advocate's house, he therefore supposed that the acquaintanceship was formed after he left.
About this time, some of the inland districts were infested with a band of bushrangers, under the leadership of a fearful desperado, known as Captain Melrose, whose depredations outrivalled those of any gang in the annals of colonial history. Not a week, or hardly a day, passed without bringing some fresh intelligence of outrages committed by them.
A large reward was offered by government for their apprehension, but without effect, and the audacity and coolness with which their leader carried on his practices, completely eclipsed all previous acts of bushranging.
Naturally of a captivating manner, and possessed of great personal attractions, he invariably succeeded in ingratiating himself in the estimation of unsuspecting and respectable society, representing himself as a man of fortune in search of stations.
In this disguise he became possessed of information regarding parties carrying cash and other valuables, and in some instances where valuable property had been deposited for security, which was soon pounced upon, as he had his followers always on the alert.
The mails were constantly robbed, banks and stores ransacked, prisoners wore liberated, in fact, society seemed completely paralysed by the accounts which day after day appeared.
Charlie, with his overseer Donald, had been upon business to Sydney, and on their return journey passed through a township which had the previous night been visited by the notorious Captain Melrose and his band, under the following circumstances:—
The day before was the annual race day in that town, when all the people in the surrounding country met. Among others there was a strange gentleman, who put up at the principal hotel; he visited the race-course, and by his engaging manner and apparently affluent circumstances, had attracted the notice of many, among whom were the stewards, who gave him a most cordial invitation to the ball, which took place the evening following.
According to custom the elité of the district attended the ball, and the stranger, who gained the confidence of all present by his gentlemanly behaviour, became a great favourite.
The night being warm and the room rather close, Captain Melrose sought the cool air about one o'clock in the morning. After being absent for a short time, he returned, to the consternation of all present, and was followed by a band of armed men; he then commanded everyone present to bail up on one side of the room, his men presenting their arms at the time at them. He then addressed them, saying:—"Ladies and gentlemen, I am truly sorry to interrupt your amusement for a short time in such a manner, and also for treating your kindness towards me in such an ungallant way, but you must think that Captain Melrose could not withstand such a display of jewellery and other valuables while he and his brave band were in need; I have therefore respectfully to command that each and every individual present will at once hand over his or her valuables to my lieutenant, Mr. Williams, and to do so without any hesitation or murmur, or I shall be compelled to adopt more unpleasant measures."
The very name, of "Captain Melrose," filled the audience with terror. Ladies unhesitatingly handed over their ornaments, and gentlemen gave up their wealth. Having obtained possession of all that was valuable to them, the party then helped themselves to the refreshments on the side table, and then took their leave, the leader taking a polite farewell of the assembly, and wishing that they might continue their enjoyment as no more interruption would take place from him or his party.
It was on this morning of excitement that Charlie and his overseer arrived at the scene of the outrage, and heard with indignation the unequalled effrontery and unfeeling conduct of the notorious Melrose and his gang. Many of the ladies were still suffering from the fright they received. A local paper gave a full account of the robbery, and a list and description of the articles stolen, with rewards offered for each; messengers were dispatched to the various police stations, and a number of volunteers enrolled themselves for the pursuit of the gang.
Charlie and Donald resolved upon searching carefully on their way for the perpetrators. After leaving the township they obtained some clue as to where the band separated, evidently to baffle pursuers; they found that two of the party had taken the very road that Charlie and Donald had to go, and a rapid pursuit was instantly commenced. After riding for a considerable distance on the tracks of the bushrangers, they arrived at cross roads, when they heard cries of distress proceeding from the bush. Riding rapidly in the direction of the cries, they found a lady and gentleman tied to separate trees. The unfortunate victims were a squatter named Ramsey and his wife, who had been riding in their carriage, when they were met by two well-mounted bushrangers, who robbed them of their money, tied them as described, and drove off in their carriage.
On being liberated, Mr. Ramsey begged of his liberators to follow them at once, while he and his wife would walk to the nearest police station, and lodge the information.
This advice was instantly adopted, Charlie and Munro renewing the pursuit, but this time with more ease and rapidity, as the wheel tracks were quite visible despite the tactics employed by the driver in keeping the hardest part of the road in order to leave no traces behind. However, nothing could baffle the eager pursuers, who traced them to a small village, where the traffic obliterated the impression of the wheels. On enquiring at different places, the only carriage that had been seen was one which conveyed the clergyman to Mr. Forbes' station on some pressing business. This somewhat puzzled Charlie, as he did not think a poor clergyman was a likely subject for a bushranger. While considering what course he should pursue, Donald came in hurriedly, telling him that he had discovered the tracks, and which evidently led to Mr. Forbes'.
As Charlie intended calling on Mr. Forbes, they started forthwith, and on their arrival they saw a carridge in front of the house.
Donald led the horses to the stable, while Charlie entered the house, where Mr. Forbes met him very cheerfully, and introduced him to the clergyman, being the only person in the room besides themselves. Mr. Forbes then said—"I am extremely glad to see you, Mr. Stuart, and you have arrived just in time to share our happiness. You are already aware that my eldest daughter has been for some time engaged to Mr. Melville, whom, I believe, you have not seen, as he has been travelling in quest of stations. He has arrived, but did not succeed in finding anything to suit him, and is resolved upon proceeding at once to Port Phillip. He has sent on a large number of sheep and cattle, and came a few minutes ago, accompanied by our own worthy pastor, for the purpose of celebrating the marriage at once, and will start off immediately after with his bride. Indeed, the proposition at first took us all by surprise, and I did not like the idea of parting with my daughter at so short a notice, but, as the young couple were unwilling to delay, I was forced to yield. I may also add that Mr. Melville proves himself worthy of my daughter, and a very eligible match in every respect, if we may judge by the valuable presents he has made to every member of my family. You may hear the applause and noise in the next room, which is caused solely by his bounty."
The last remark was correct, for each member of the family came rushing into the room, exhibiting his or her rich and glittering treasure.
The dinner was now ready, after which the ceremony was to take place, and every one took their seat at the table. The last that entered the room was the bridegroom, leading his intended bride.
Mr. Forbes instantly stopped forward, and introduced his future son-in-law to Mr. Stuart, but great surprise was experienced by the whole family at the two gentlemen as they approached each other suddenly stopping, when both turned deadly pale, were unable to give utterance to a single syllable, and stared sternly in each other's face.
The bridegroom was the first to recover himself; then, bowing stiffly, he took his seat beside Miss Forbes at the table. Charlie took his place immediately opposite, when all the spectators, particularly the host, concluded that Charlie Stuart, by his singular conduct, had, at one time, been a rival of Mr. Melville.
During dinner Mr. Forbes, in the course of conversation, inquired of Charlie as to what was the principal news down the country, when the latter gave some account of the daring outrages of the bushrangers, handing a copy of the newspaper containing an account of the sticking-up case at the Race Ball. The host road aloud the article in question, which contained a full account of Captain Melrose's atrocities. The bride, who naturally felt for the unfeeling conduct, turned her face towards her lover, and exclaimed, "Did you over hear of such an unfeeling monster?"
Melrose, who sat with his head bent forward, made no reply, but turned pale, and scowled with unnatural ferocity not peculiar to him, which sent a thrill of terror through her frame. Mr. Forbes now came to that portion which contained a description of the articles stolen, when the description of one remarkable and costly pair of bracelets attracted the bride's attention; she unconsciously dropped her eyes on those she was wearing, and which had been presented to her by her lover only a short time before, and which exactly corresponded with the description her father read.
A strange feeling seized her, and upon raising her eyes to Charlie, she saw him staring with eyes full of indignation and distrust at her scowling lover; springing to her foot she made an attempt to approach the open French window, but in passing round her father's chair, she fell with a scream insensible on the floor.
Charlie who was the quickest flew to her assistance, raised her, and, in entrusting her to the care and attention of her father, said, "Take your much-injured daughter; your would-be son-in-law is no other than Captain Melrose the Bushranger," then rushed from the apartment after him, he having made his escape amid the confusion.
On coming out of the house, Charlie met Munro with the horses ready, who, on seeing his master, understood the cause of his haste, and exclaimed, "There they go," pointing at the same time to the two horsemen in full gallop making towards the forest. Let us mount and after them replied Charlie, when both vaulted into their saddles, and driving their spurs into their horses' sides, flew after the fugitives.