die. Farrell dismounted, and is believed to have good-naturedly relaxed the cordage with which his prisoner was secured. The sickness very soon left "Ptolemy," for, watching an opportunity, he sprang suddenly to his feet, snatched the trooper's sword from its sheath and attacked him. The blackfellow not being an expert sabreur was unable to prevent Farrell grappling with him, though he wounded the trooper in the arm. They both came in a roll to the earth, Farrell holding on to the blackfelloyv, and "cooeeing" loudly for help. The water-seekers, hearing the loud shouting in the distance, hastily returned, to find the other two still engaged in what might have been a deadly struggle for either of them. However, it took a very little time to separate them, and replace "Ptolemy" in security. The remainder of the journey was accomplished without further mishap. The prisoners were lodged in gaol; and loud were the praises accorded to troopers Johnston, Dollard, and Farrell for the gallant manner in which, against formidable obstacles, they managed such an important capture.[1]
The trial took place before Judge A'Beckett, at the Supreme Court, on the 17th December, for murder. The prisoners were defended by Mr. Barry. The interpreters having declared their inability to make the prisoners understand the nature of the judicial ceremony about to be gone through, and after a conference between the Judge, the Crown Prosecutor, and the prisoners' Counsel, they were remanded until the next Criminal Sessions.
On the 25th February, 1847, the prisoners were again placed on their trial, and being asked to plead, remained silent. Mr. E. S. Parker, an Assistant Protector of Aborigines, interpreted the proceedings, "Ptolemy" and "Bullet-Eye" both saying, "They did not spear Massa Bebridge." "Booby" made a similar declaration, and pleas of not guilty were recorded. The next question was as to the mental capacity of the prisoners to exercise their right of challenge, and the nature of this privilege having been, with some difficulty, expounded, the prisoners replied, " Jury velly good," and the trial went on.
The Crown Prosecutor stated the case and called several witnesses, who, in addition to the circumstances already narrated, deposed to further particulars. The Beveridges occupied a squatting station at the Murray, and were the reverse of unkind to the aborigines, who were permitted to go and come about as they liked, and even to sleep in huts at the homestead. On the morning of the murder, Mr. Andrew Beveridge hearing some noise outside went to see what was the matter, and found himself suddenly confronted by several armed blackfellows, amongst whom Were the three prisoners. "Booby" held a "jagged" spear, "Ptolemy" a reed one, and the former on seeing Beveridge, sung out at him — "What for you yabber me cram jumbuck?" (Anglice, "why did you charge me with stealing your sheep?") when Beveridge replied, "You did;" and "Ptolemy" speared him in the breast. Beveridge turning round exclaimed, " I am murdered," and was returning in doors, when "Booby," following, speared him in the arm. A "jagged" spear was stuck six inches deep in his hip, and there were wounds on his temples and arms. He died before the morning. The identity of two of the prisoners was complete; but beyond being present, there was no proof of any overt act by "Bullet-Eye." After a careful summing up by the Judge, the jury, after three minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict of "Guilty" against "Ptolemy" and "Booby," and acquitted "Bullet-Eye," who was transferred to the care of the Black Protectorate. When asked what they had to say why sentence of death should not be passed, they declared that they had nothing to do with the killing of Mr. Beveridge; and that it was done by three blacks known as "Wellington," "Buonaparte," and "Henry."
Johnston was immediately promoted to a Sergeantcy, and pecuniarily rewarded. His comrades benefited in a lesser degree; and Dollard, after having charge of the Eastern Hill watchhouse, became a publican at Emerald Hill, and one of the minor celebrities of that once verdant locality. Of the future of Farrell I know not. Johnston retired from the Force, was a bush inn-keeper for some time, and after trying his luck in other pursuits, was berthed in a subordinate billet in the Crown Lands Department.
- ↑ Mr. Maurice Fitzgerald, an old colonist of varied bush experience, assures me that with regard to the murder of Mr. Beveridge, that a Mr. French, one of the persons in the assailed hut, had two or three of his fingers mutilated by the Natives. He states that he also formed one of the relief party, and that whilst escorting the prisoners through the bush, some Blacks threw spears after them, one of which wounded him (Fitzgerald) in the thigh, the marks of which he showed me. In justice to my informant these facts are given; but I do not feel disposed to disturb my own report of the outrage and its consequences, as I have re-written it from the newspapers of the period. From February, 1845, to the end of 1851, when this chapter will run out, I reported for a Melbourne journal every trial (criminal and civil) that took place in the Supreme Court, and in my compilation I have been careful (so far as I could) to omit no material point adduced in evidence.—The Author.
