27
XVIII.
PECUNIA OMNIA VINCII
In the dead of the night after the burning of the Eureka Hotel, three men had been taken into custody, charged with riot, and subsequently committed to take their trial in Melbourne.
I think the diggers at this time seriously contemplated to burn down the Camp, and thus get rid in a blaze of all their grievances.
A committee for the defence of these men, met at the Star Hotel, and sent round to all the tents on Ballaarat for subscriptions. I contributed my mite, and then learned that Vern, Kennedy, and Humffray were the triumvirate of said committee.
The following placard was posted throughout the gold-fields:—
"£500 REWARD
for the discovery, apprehension and conviction of the murderer
of James Scobie, found dead near the late Eureka Hotel,
etc. etc."
At one and at the same time, also, the following placards were posted at each prominent gum-tree on the gold-field:—
"£500 REWARD
increased by Government to
£1,600!!
for the apprehension and conviction of the robbers
of the Bank of Victoria."
A desperate deed was committed in broad mid-day; Monday, October 16th, in the Ballaarat township.
Four men in the garb of diggers, wearing sou-wester hats, and having crape over their faces, entered the Bank of Victoria, and succeeded in carrying off property in notes and gold, to the amount of about £15,000.
Who would have told me then, that soon I should be messmate to those unknown audacious robbers, in the same gaol!!
Let's go to the public meeting in the next chapter.
