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DIGITIZED BY PETER KILLACKEY
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THE BUSHRANGERS - BRADY, PRINCE OF BUSHRANGERS |
This celebrated character had the physical structure, the mental energy, and the culture of intellect which eminently fitted him for a leader. Under other circumstances, he might have become a successful explorer in savage lands, a distinguished warrior, or a prominent chieftain in some revolutionary struggle. But he was a convicted felon in Van Diemen's Land. Assigned to Mrs. Ransom, of the Crossmarsh Inn, he was esteemed as a quiet, sober, industrious servant. His countenance was open, good-tempered, but determined. Tall, robust, and handsome, capable of the most withering sneer, or winning smile, he was formed by nature for the control of man and the conquest of woman.
Condemned for some offence to Macquarie Harbour, he was not long contemplating escape. Forming a secret association of desperadoes, he sought occasion to seize a boat. On the 9th of June, 1824, Commandant Wright, the surgeon, and others, were out at some distance from the Settlement. The moment seemed opportune, and a rush was made towards his boat; but the officer was on the alert, and poshed off just in time. The surgeon was not so fortunate. Falling into the hands of the insurgent prisoners, it was proposed to give him a flogging; the intercession of Brady saved him. Having secured another boat, the party made off for the narrow entrance of the Harbour. But Lucas, the pilot, was seen pulling after them with earnest vigour. The convicts gained the sandy bar at Hell's Gates, and were soon tossing on the Southern Ocean; the pursuers declined to follow them on those angry waves. Nine days after, they became Bushrangers, on the eastern coast of the Derwent. Brady harangued his men, as captain. He urged pity for the defenceless, kindness to females, plunder for maintenance, revenge for injuries, and death for traitors.
The escape of so formidable a number, and the formation of so desperate a gang, called forth the following proclamation from Colonel Arthur, August 27,1824. "The Lieutenant-Governor feeis it necessary to announce that the party of prisoners who escaped from Macquarie Harbour, have again passed into the interior. His Honour begs, in the most earnest manner, to call upon all settlers, in their respective districts, to enter with increased zeal, and determination, into measures for the apprehension of these robbers. To the most common understanding, not labouring under the miserable depression of personal danger, means will be presented, after a robbery has been committed, of tracing the movements of the depredators; and it must be understood to be the positive duty of any settlers to spread the information immediately, and to adopt the most prompt and energetic steps for closely pursuing these miscreants, until they are fairly hunted down.
"All Crown servants are to be immediately assembled by their masters, and apprized that the Government expects every man shall give all possible information, and that a pardon is offered to any prisoner who may give such intelligence as may lead to the apprehension of these Bushrangers.
"By command of His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor.
" John Montague, Secretary."
The first robbery was attended with great personal violence. A servant of Lieut. Gunn, a retired officer,
was stopped and plundered. His master, a man of distinguished courage, gigantic stature and strength, and a most untiring energy, had previously offered his services to the Government for the repression of Bushrangers, and had received the charge of a few soldiers. When, therefore, he was apprized of the outrage upon his servant, he promptly and successfully followed the fugitives, and captured five of them. These were, with the least possible delay, brought to trial, and they were executed with Pearce, the cannibal. The remnant continued their depredations. According to custom, the objects of a burglarious attack were obliged to remain two hours without attempting to move from their places, with a view to give notice of the outrage, under penalty of incurring the future vengeance of the visitors. It was to this practice that the Governor alluded in his proclamation. Although it might be the "the miserable depression of personal danger," few liked to run the risk of disobeying the orders of the Bushrangers. Again, a settler could not always rely on his own servants, they might not only be indifferent to the attack and spiritless in the pursuit, but often active confederates in the plan, and the receivers and disposers of the plunder
The Government was surprised at the ease with which Brady's mob, so called, passed the Derwent; it was afterwards found that they had boats secreted on the shore. Travelling towards the high land of the interior, Brady came with a small band to the cold and dreary watershed of the midland district, whence flowed the tributaries of the Launceston and the Hobart Town waters. He arrived at Peter's Pass, near Oatlands, the only practicable route through the ranges; a gloomy winding among precipitous slate rocks, with gaunt and spectre - like Stringy-bark trees overhanging, but not shading, sparse and straggling herbage. A settler had fixed a home in this sterile region of the wilds. When evening was descending, the Bushrangers crept stealthily to the outpost. A farm lad noticed the strangers, recognised Brady as an old acquaintance at the inn on the road some twenty miles below, and gently called his name at the fence. The robber answered the call, and a conference ensued. The boy told him that it was well he had come no further, for that in the neighbouring hut there were several soldiers, who had come up thus far in search of them. " But never mind," said he, " we'll best 'em. Wait a bit, they are tired and hungry; I am getting their supper, so, when they are feeding, do you rush them."
"But the guns!" exclaimed the leader. " Oh, they are all right in the corner of the hut," replied the young fellow; " all you have to do, is to come softly along when they are at supper, lay hold of the pieces, and then the work is done." It was dusk when the traitorous cook carried in the chops and tea. As soon as the military were busy in the first onslaught upon the dish, a
rustling was heard at the door. They turned their heads, and the next moment every man was covered with a loaded musket. Resistance was vain. The men were tied, the house was robbed, and the Bushrangers departed. Brady offered the lad a handsome present, the only favour he sought was admission into the gang.
This hopeful youth is said to have met with his end in the following manner. He was, with one of his mates, separated from the rest; the two were tired with travelling, and putting their guns against a tree, they lay down and slept. Two gentlemen rode by, and saw these ruffians. Knowing the desperate character of Brady's men, they resolved to give them no chance, and so shot them in their sleep.
The Governor rewarded the act by the presentation of a fine tract of land. The band increased, and ventured upon bolder and grander attacks. Meeting with Mr. Kemp's overseer, they
requested his company and introduction to his master's house. Upon arrival, the seven assigned servants offered no resistance, but were obedient enough in procuring a substantial meal for the new comers. The health of the Old Patriot was drunk with all honours, his plate and other
valuables were removed with care, and a pleasant farewell closed the intercourse. To show spite, the bushrangers destroyed three years' clip of wool belonging to Mr. Lawrence. There was a certain old lady who was known to have a good sum of money by her, and whom Brady had
visited on two occasions in the vain attempt to spring the plant, in other words, to find the hidden bag of dollars.
The treachery of her servant relieved the robber's perplexity. He came the third time. The dame received him in the passage and assailed him with abuse. "And sure," said she, "you wouldn't be after injuring your own countrywoman again." " Countrywoman or no countrywoman,''called out the other, "just come off that trap door." The lady from the Green Isle of Beauty had artfully covered the entrance to her treasure chamber with her voluminous garments. Unfortunately for her, the Bushranger had been laid on to the secret; a splendid booty was the result of this adventure. With tears of rage and grief, she bestowed a Connaught blessing upon her merry departing countryman.
The moat dashing exploit of this gang was the capture of Sorell Gaol. Sometimes concealed in the saline caves of carboniferous limestone, abounding in the district, and then emerging from the secluded hut of some friendly stockkeeper, the worthy ramblers debouched near the residence
of Mr. Robert Bethune, Pittwater, some twenty-five miles east of Hobart Town. The Pittwater district was a rich agricultural one. A contemporary of Brady's wrote, in 1829, concerning the neighbourhood of Sorell, the township of the district: " The country around is beautiful, the land being very fertile, and divided into numerous small farms." The noble estate of Orielton, belonging to Edward Lord, Esq., once Acting Governor of the Colony, was a valuable property. Mr. David Lord had a farm on the Coal River, not far from the farm of Lieutenant Gunn, of thief-catching notoriety. Captain Glover, J. P., lived on the Iron Creek, a mile from the town, and Dr. Garrett's farm was two miles off on the Richmond road. The township then boasted of
many houses, two hotels, a handsome chnrch, the parsonage of the excellent Mr. Garrard, a " good gaol," and a schoolhouse. It was into such a populous and established neigh-bourhood that Brady, with Dunne, Bird, Murphy, and four others, dared to venture. Arriving at Mr. Bethune's house on the Friday evening, they took that gentleman, his overseer and servants, prisoners, and then made themselves comfortable for the night. The next day was very wet, and the Bushrangers did not feel disposed to change their comfortable quarters. In the evening Sir. Walter Bethune and Captain Bunster rode up. Personating a servant, Brady came out and called for the groom to take Mr. Bethune's horse. When the gentlemen got inside they found themselves in the hands of the Philistines. But Brady at once allayed their fears, ordered dinner for them, and behaved with courtesy and respect. In the course of conversation at table, a remark was made about Brady
offering to yield to Government. He indignantly denied that he had thought of such a thing. It was afterwards astertained that some other party represented himself to be Brady, when rifling a house at Bagdad, and there gave information of the intention of the gang to surrender. The
brigand chief said that no occasion at present existed for such a course; for, when hard pressed by pursuit, they could easily retire to a farm they had among the mountains, where they had an abundance of sheep, horses, cattle, flour, and other necessaries. In that secure and
pleasant retreat they could take a spell until the excitement had passed.
When it was about ten o'clock on the Saturday night, Brady announced to his friends his resolution to attack Sorell Gaol, and liberate some acquaintances. The two Bethunes were tied, as well as the other inmates, and the whole, eighteen in number, were marched in solemn and
silent procession towards the town. Most opportunely for the eight Bushrangers, they arrived at a moment when least expected, and when, in fact, a party of soldiers within were cleaning out their guns. The military, under the command of Lieutenant Gunn, had been out all day looking for the very men who had thus civilly placed themselves in gaol to make them prisoners. The arms were secured, and the warriors and civilians securely locked up in a cell from which the prisoners had just been released. Mr. Long, the gaoler, was in his house adjoining the lock-up ; and directly he saw how things stood, he made his escape over the wall, and ran off for Lieutenant Gunn, who was then staying with Ur. Garrett. Catching up their double-barrelled guns, they made for the town. The magistrate hurried too much, and fell into the hands of the Bushrangers, who broke his gun, and placed him with the others in the cell. Two of the robbers stood in the path of Mr. Gunn. He raised his fowling piece, but at that instant a shot shattered his arm above his elbow. When the rascals left the scene of their triumph, they placed against the door of the gaol a log ornamented with a coat and hat, to resemble a sentinel. The enterprizing and brave Gunn was brought to town, and suffered amputation of his arm. The Government rewarded his zeal with a pension of £70 a year, and the honourable post of Superintendent of the Hobart Town Prisoners' Barracks. He is very remarkable for the acuteness of his observing faculties ; his massive and projecting brow guards a pair of eyes of marvellous power, which have often detected a runaway acquaintance of some twenty or thirty years standing. That our ruler was not quite at ease with these impudent Bushrangers may be gathered from the Government order of April 14, 1825, which offers a reward of twenty-five guineas for either Brady or McCabe, with fifty acres of land to the chief constable of the district in which he may be taken. The reward was afterwards doubled, with a pardon and free passage to England for any convict that might capture them. Then comes out the following Government regulation: "The inhabitants of Hobart Town, having most handsomely volunteered to undertake, as special constables, the protection of the town, the Lieutenant Governor feels the most perfect confidence in their prudence and courage, and accepts their services as a means of enabling him to despatch a greater number of troops into the interior.
"His Honor anticipates that this sacrifice of personal comfort on the part of the residents in Hobart Town, will at once operate as a stimulus throughout the Colony, and that every free inhabitant in the country will heartily co-operate with the military in assisting the civil powers in the apprehension of the gang of Bushrangers, headed by Brady. Every district is now reinforced with troops, so that none feel unprotected; and if all only unite in circulating information of the movements of the banditti, it is quite impossible that they can long escape the hands of justice. To this most material point His Honor anxiously calls the attention of the whole community, and more especially of the magistrates and district constables, and begs, as they value the security and protection of each other, that they will no longer be so negligent in giving information.
"It seems to have been the successful policy of the Bushrangers to threaten with violence any persons whom they plunder, if they stir within a certain number of hours to occasion alarm. The Lieutenant Governor begs that this threat may be despised , and though he would desire every master of a family to remember the conduct of Mr. George Taylor, and like him determine to resist, yet if any should be unavoidably surprised, he begs them not to hesitate in spreading the alarm the instant the robbers have withdrawn, and, if possible, watching at the same time the direction they take."
One effect of this proclamation was the capture of McCabe. Originally of respectable connexions, he had received a good education. A lieutenant of the gang, he enjoyed the confidence of his chief; but the friendship of men of such violence and blood is of short duration. They quarrelled and parted. When McCabe was in prison, every effort was made to extract information about Brady, but without avail; he considered it a point of honour to divulge nothing, and upon the scaffold adhered to that principle. Every expedient employed to take Brady failed. Soldiers were concealed beneath luggage upon drays, and so driven through the lonely paths of the bush, in the hope to fall in with him. He had a narrow escape from capture, A wretched confederate in crime had a hut beside the pretty Elizabeth river, within two miles of the township of Campbelltown, where he was wont to receive business visits from bandit associates. His avarice being stronger than his friendship, he resolved to sell the blood of Brady. That worthy paid him a visit in disguise, bringing no weapons with him. Exhausted with a long walk, he soon threw himself upon a stretcher, and went into a deep sleep. This was a favourable moment for the Judas, who stole away to the town and gave the alarm. A couple of soldiers stealthily approached the slumberer, and secured his wrists with a rope. Resigned to his fate, he begged a drink of water. The night was dark and the men were superstitions ; neither would go alone ; they resolved to keep company. Suspecting nothing from their bound captive, they left their muskets in the hut, and descended the steep bank to the river. Brady hastily improved the time. He held his hands over the blazing fire until the cord was consumed, then seizing the two pieces he awaited the return of the military ; these he fastened in the hut, and then he retreated to his band. A long time elapsed before vengeance could be satisfied. Coming, however, one evening to the lonely hut of Bill Windsor, of the Cocked Hat Hill, a few miles out of Launceston, he encountered in that home of the receiver of stolen goods the very man who had betrayed him. Brady's address was perfectly intelligible: "I'll give you while I have my supper.'' During the progress of the meal the brutal betrayer was indifferent and even jocose, but the companions around interceded for his life, though without avail. Rising from his seat, the Bushranger took his gun, and called out to his victim, "Walk to that tree yonder." The man deliberately stepped a few paces, when a ball pierced his brain.
This story we have from a respectable colonist, who visited the scenes of action in 1826, and who was acquainted with some of the parties concerned. But another version is current, part of which has received the sanction of the Rev. John West, in his "History of Tasmania." It is said that the leader heard of the contemplated treason, and came alone at night to expostulate with the villain, who, of course, denied everything. "Have I not," said the Bushranger, "done much for you? Do you not live and thrive by the hazard of my neck ? Remember, vengeance follows hard upon the heels of treachery.'' It was not long after that Brady and one of his men were decoyed into this man's hut, and found themselves, after a short struggle, seized, disarmed, and secured. Brady was injured by a ball in his arm, and lay on a stretcher handcuffed in charge of the traitor, while the constable took his mate to the neighbouring watchhouse. The brutal man administered coarse comfort to his victim, saying, " Never mind, Brady, you'll only be banged to end your miserable life, and there's neither God nor Devil." Cunningly concealing his indignation, the Bushranger asked for a rug to be thrown over him, for his arm was painful. While turning about, as if in agony, he contrived to extricate his hands. In a moment he sprung upon the man, who cried out " 0 spare, for God's sake, spare me." " Miserable wretch," said the other, "just now you told me there was not a God. I will not shoot you, as you deserve, because of causing an alarm; but beware when we meet." Armed with his adversary's gun, he hastened away. Not long after he encountered the old sinner. "I give you a few minutes to say your prayers," said Brady." "A curse on your prayers," replied the heartless man. Then placing his own head against the door-post in the most convenient form, he called upon the robber to shoot him. The trigger was pulled, and the recreant dropped. That shot was the death-blow for Brady. A shocking story is told by Judge Burton of a man who offered to join the gang, but was suspected of being a spy.
Tried by the Bushrangers, he was condemned to death by poison ; the cup of laudanum was drunk, and the wretched man was left behind. Strange to say, the man recovered. Again falling into the hands of these implacable banditti, they shot him so effectually that he never troubled them more. Another author of the time describes it as such: "One escapee, who wished to join the gang in good faith, was thought to be a "Pimp," forced to drink laudanum and left to die. He recovered, however, and again meeting the robbers, was shot. The wound was not fatal, and he resolved to give himself up. But he again met the bushrangers, who fired upon him. The bullet glanced off his skull, and he was left in a dry creek for dead. But he again recovered, and lived for many years. Is that not stranger than fiction?"
Tradition says that Brady once cropped the ears of another spy.
Without zealous confederates, the robbers never could have carried on their depredations, nor escaped their numerous enemies. A Hobart Town paper remarks : " That there are wretches base enough to cherish and foster these unhappy men is certain. That such may meet the fate they deserve is our hearty wish. The mischief they do is incalculable ; they are the worst of criminals, because every offence which the banditti commit, is in a certain degree to be attributed to their aid, without which their associates could not have so long evaded justice." The same paper acknowledges the relieving points of the Bushrangers' character: " Their treatment to the females at the different houses they have robbed has also been remarkable, in every individual instance, for propriety, if such a term can be applied to any of their lawless acts. Brady declared in one instance, that if any of the gang should dare to offer insult to a female, he would blow his brains out. We are happy to state this, because the most injurious reports have been circulated, calculated to excite misery in families, without the slightest foundation in fact." Upon one occasion, when plundering a house, one of the men addressed the servant girl, and said, "Well, my pretty maid, let us have a kiss." Brady turned, and immediately, with a violent blow, felled him to the earth. Mr. Young, of the Lake Eiver, relates the story of a sticking-up. The first salute of Brady's was, " Are there any females in this house ?" " Yes," was the reply. " Then tell them to get up," said the chief, " and let them dress themselves, and go into one room, and no one shall molest them."
The audacity of this wonderful gang seemed to increase with their success. Sometimes as many as twenty-five horsemen were seen following the standard of Brady. The brilliant feats, the daring attacks, the astonishing escapes, produced such an eclat, that a thorough bushranging
mania seized the community. As many as one. hundred armed criminals were out at once, each emulous to exceed even Brady himself. The constables and military were dreadfully harassed; but the chief burden of care rested on the responsible head of the Governor. He entreated and
threatened ; he wrote and rode; he lavished rewards and severely punished; but Brady's mob still burnt, plundered, terrified. In sheer sport they were cruel. It was usual for them to select a person to carry the swag, and then dismiss him after making him drunk. One day they got thus hold upon a poor fellow, and presenting a large vessel of rum swore that he should drink all the liquor. The man dreaded the consequences, and pleaded hard with these rough bush monsters. A pistol was put to his head, and with bitter curses he was told to take his choice. The rum was swallowed, and the stupified creature was left with shouts of laughter. Next morning some persons were out seeking for him, and found him lying where he had fallen the day before, with his noble dog fondly licking his face, as if entreating him to rise and return home. They raised the body from the damp earth ; the poor fellow opened his eyes, cried " Water," fell back, and died.
Satisfied with their plunder, the Bushrangers now contemplated the means of their escape from the Colony, as a glorious finish to their adventures. On their way to the Tamar, they got into such an impracticable scrub, that they were forced to leave their horses there, after an ineffectual struggle to drag them through without their saddles. Brady left them for a couple of days, while he went reconnoitring from a hill the position of the " Glory,'' a vessel thought well-adapted for their purpose. "While absent, one of his men, Guilders, made his escape to Launceston, and carried intelligence to Colonel Balfour of the 40th, then Commandant of the place. The anger of the chief was excessive, when he heard of this defection. He demanded that Goodwin, the sentry for the day, should be brought to trial. The thieves' court-martial condemned him. He was taken forth, shot, and his body thrown into the Tamar. Before this, Jeffries had been captured, and, true to his character, peached upon his mates, though without the least expectation of a reprieve. After the execution of Goodwin, the whole party entered a fine boat which they had stolen, and sailed three times round the " Glory." A discussion then followed, as to the propriety of an immediate capture. Brady was in favour of the scheme; but he said to the others, " Decide among yourselves, let not my voice avail you anything." Some argued, that being so near Launceston, they were liable to pursuit and capture, without the chance of doubling their foes in the intricacy of the bush. The wind was foul, and so the chances of clearance were diminished; they decided upon another forest campaign, and landed again. Calling their carrier, Watson, they bade him go to Launceston with the Bushrangers compliments to the Commandant, and state their intention to do two things that night; namely, to rob the mansion of Eichard Dry, Esq., the father of the Tasmanian Speaker, and to attack the gaol. He was also to tell him that they would take Jeffries out of his cell, well torture him for awhile, and then finish him with ball. The man delivered his message, which was considered a capital joke, and no more.
That evening, according to promise, they appeared at Mr. Dry's house, one mile out of Launceston. Visitors, family, and servants were secured. While some patrolled the premises, or guarded the prisoners, and others were busy in making useful collections in the house, Brady was in the parlour amusing the ladies. He succeeded in allaying their fears by the frankness of his manner, and even entertained them by the humour of his stories, and his pleasing address. Seating himself at the piano, he played an accompaniment to a sentimental song. One of the servants had escaped in the darkness, and given the alarm in the city. The active Commandant, Colonel Balfour, hastened out with ten soldiers, and a few volunteer gentlemen. The robbers retired behind a hedge, and active firing on both sides commenced. All at once, the Colonel noticed the silence of his foes, and supposing they had fled, he resolved to go back to the town, as a party under Dunne had set out for the gaol. Leaving his hat behind him, which had been knocked off by a bullet, he hastily returned with half of his military force of ten. The Bushrangers were aware of this division, and began plundering some outbuildings. Dr. Priest had remained in charge of the house, with five soldiers ; haranguing his men, he led them on to the charge. His white dress was too conspicuous that night not to attract attention. One ball brought down his horse, and another severely wounded himself in the knee. The terrible gang withdrew, and safely disappeared in the darkness. The brave doctor was carried to his quarters. An examination of the injury aroused the fears of his friends. Nothing but amputation of the limb could save his life. When implored to submit to the operation, he refused in excited fury ; " What," said he, " go stumping about with a "wooden leg, and have to say that I received my glorious wound in a fight with cursed convict runaways? Better die, than live in such disgrace !" And die the misguided man surely did of mortification.
Such a frightful exhibition of impudent villany, such a defiance of his power at his very northern capital, aroused the anger and determination of the Governor, in the highest degree. Another proclamation was issued. A reward of three hundred guineas, or three hundred acres of land, free of quit rent, was offered for the capture of either one of twelve of the dreaded band therein mentioned; any prisoner of the Grown so taking a man, should receive his
pardon and a free passage to England. These terms aroused the cupidity and hopes of many before indifferent to the affair, or friendly to the men. The bush was soon searched in all directions most vigorously; and the Governor left his family and took the field. Detached parties of
armed men were fallen in with, and fierce conflicts ensued. The spirit of vindictiveness, and the hope of a prize, were opposed to the aroused energies of tigers at bay. Successful engagements thinned the ranks of the robbers, and scattered their strength. So great a crowd of ruffians were gathered in the gaol, that the fears of the inhabitants for their escape, and the desire of vengeance, immediate and effectual, upon the men who had so long braved attack, and alarmed the country, induced fifty gentlemen to present a petition to Colonel Arthur, praying for the speedy execution of the prisoners. One is carried by imagination to the September days of the French Revolution, at this condition of society, this frightful thirst of blood, in hunters and their victims. When we read of thirty-seven persons being condemned to death at one sitting of the court, we are appalled at the magnitude of crime, and the severity of justice.
But the following extract from the " Colonial Times," quoted in Melville's celebrated Van Piemen's Land Annual, will prove to the reader that mischief was still abroad, for that Brady was still at large :
"On the night of the 5th, the Bushrangers set fire and burnt down the stock-yard, with all the wheat belonging to Mr. Abraham Walker and Commissary Walker, opposite Mr. Thomas Archer's. The extent of the damage is not yet ascertained. The Bushrangers were seen between the Punt and Mr. Gibson's stock-yard, and on the 6th they sent word to Mr. Massey, on the South Esk, Benlomond, that they would hang him and burn his wheat. A great fire was seen in the direction of his house, but it is to be hoped that they have not executed their threat. The Bushrangers have Mr. Dry's two white carriage horses with them. They shot Thomas Kenton dead at the Punt on the South Esk; they called him out of the house and deliberately shot him. Two runaways were last week sent into Launceston Gaol, from Pressnell's, where they were taken ; one of them broke out of gaol, and was met by the Bushrangers, who asked him to join them, and, on his refusal, they shot him dead. Brady now wears Colonel Balfour's cap, which was knocked off at Dry's. When the Bushrangers were going down the Tamar they captured Captain White, of the " Duke of York," in his boat; Captain Smith, late of the " Brutus," who was with him, being mistaken for Colonel Balfour, they knocked him down, but discovering their mistake they apologized. They then made Captain White go down upon his knees, and were going to shoot him, but Captain Smith interfered, and saved his life, on representing to them the misery it would inflict upon his children. During the night Captains Smith and White were allowed to depart, and they made the best of their way to Launceston, where they'gave the necessary information ; but unfortunately it was too late, the Bushrangers having crossed the river, and proceeded to commit the dreadful enormities before stated."
But the hour of Brady was come. Constantly harassed by assailing and pursuing parties, separated from his dashing band of roving horsemen, and disabled by a shot in his ankle, he was no longer the proud and chivalrous Prince of Bushrangers, but the anxious, suffering fugitive. Amongst those who sought the destruction of these troublers of the settlers' homes, was John Batman, the celebrated capturer of Tasmanian aborigines, and afterwards the renowned founder of Port Phillip Colony. Governor Arthur had great confidence in his prudence and judgment, as well as in his energy and courage. Getting intelligence of the robber's movements, Mr. Batman left his Ben Lomond farm, and explored the gulleys of the Western Tier. That wild and romantic country had long furnished a retreat to Bushrangers. Rising abruptly from the plain, the greenstone Dry's Bluff towers 4,000 feet, and is the first of a series of elevations in one of the roughest districts in the world for a hundred miles. The hills are covered with enormous Gum and Stringy bark forests ; and very unlike the open land of Victoria, the ground is hidden by thickets of the prickly Tea-tree, the Mimosa, the rigid Hakea, the sweet-scented Musk, &c. The valleys are shaded with that pyramidal botanical beauty, the Sassafras, the leafless She-oak, the Cherry-tree, and the graceful Acacia. The mountain sides are adorned with the rice-like flowers of the Richea, or the more gorgeous and princely scarlet of the Waratah. Occasionally the traveller thrusts aside the heartless scrub, and looks down upon a scene of such loveliness and sheltered beauty that he would fain believe he had been rubbing the magic lamp of Aladdin. There, free from tangled brush, a long and narrow vale, watered by a sparkling, springing brook, is studded with graceful fern trees, and looks like a vast enchanted temple, with festooned columns. Then, again, the adventurous rambler, after scrambling over basaltic boulders along the ravine of a mountain torrent, reaches the summit of a huge precipice, over which the mad torrent leaps two hundred feet into the dark and boiling basin below. There too, among these gloomy ranges, are limestone caves of wondrous extent and magnificence, with lofty halls and stalactitic ornaments; a fitting home for outlaws.
It was amidst such scenes that Batman sought poor Brady. One day he spied a man limping along through the bush with the aid of a cut sapling. He was evidently in great pain, and bore a dejected, careworn aspect. His restless, suspicious eye suddenly lighted upon his pursuer. In a moment all anguish was forgotten, as in a loud and decided tone the word " stand" was uttered, the faltering step was firm, aud the old lion spirit was roused. The gun was at his shoulder, and his finger on the trigger. Before he could fire, however, he called out, " Are you a soldier officer ?" Mr. Batman's frock coat and foraging cap gave him a military appearance, and Brady had an unextinguishable hatred to the red-coated enemy of Bushrangers. " I'm no soldier, Brady," was the reply, " I am John Batman ; surrender, for there is no chance for you." The Bushranger thought for awhile, and then said, " You are right, Batman, my time is come; I will yield to you, because you are a brave man."
The poor fellow was conducted to Launceston Gaol. The news spread, and a regular triumphal procession was formed. Some cowardly persons taunted the fallen chief, but most pitied his misfortunes while they rejoiced in his capture. For two-and-twenty months he had lived in the Bush. Of his numerous companions not one remained free within a month after the offer of the high rewards. Treachery to the Government long preserved their freedom, and treachery to the banditti now destroyed them. To his great vexation he was brought down to Hobart Town, in company with the notorious Jeffries. At his trial the court was crowded with sympathising ladies, who wept at the recital of his sufferings, and palliated the enormity of his crimes. His chivalrous behaviour to females had won their esteem; gentleness to the weak, and the brilliant feats of his career, had excited their imagination with pleasure. He was pronounced guilty of being out at large with arms. This was death by the law; but so strong an interest was produced by his story, that a reprieve would have doubtless followed conviction. But he was proved guilty of murder.
"Other crimes but speak, murder shrieks out."
Yet petition followed petition for his deliverance from the halter. Settlers told of his forbearance, and ladies of his kindness. His cell was besieged with visitors, and his table was loaded with presents. Baskets of fruit, bouquets of flowers, and dishes of confectionery prepared by his fair admirers, were tendered in abundance to the gaoler for his distinguished captive. The last moment came. The dramatic scene was maintained to its close. Pinioned, he stood on the scaffold before a dense mass of spectators, who cheered him for his courage or grieved bitterly for his fate. He received the consolations of the Roman Catholic faith, he bid a familiar adieu to the gentlemen, about him, and he died more like a patient martyr than a felon murderer.
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