_ CHAPTER LXXXIII. ARREST OF FRED.--TRIP TO MELBOURNE, AND ITS RESULTS
There was a cry of horror at the atrocity of the deed; not from any of the officers who were present, but from the soldiers, who were not used to warfare of that description.
"O, cowardly deed," cried Fred, who could not prevent giving expression to his feelings.
"Ha! what was that?" roared the colonel, turning towards us.
I endeavored to drag Fred from the scene, but he resisted my efforts stoutly.
"I say that to shoot a prisoner in cold blood is murder, and none but a base coward would resort to such an act," cried Fred, raising his voice. "Secure that man," roared the colonel; but not a soldier stirred to enforce the order.
"In the name of God, make your escape," whispered Mr. Brown; but Fred disdained to fly.
"Will no one obey me?" roared the colonel, turning to his officers. "Do you refuse to do your duty? By G----, I'll break every man in the regiment, unless you are a little more prompt. Arrest that man, sirs, and bring him before me," he continued, turning to his officers.
They obeyed, but unwillingly, and moved so slowly that Fred could easily have escaped had he been so disposed. I sought to urge him to dodge behind the soldiers, but he sternly refused; and when the officers surrounded him, he walked with a firm step towards the tyrant, and without suffering a hand to be laid upon his shoulder.
"You find fault with the method which I resort to to punish rebellion, do you?" demanded the colonel, with a savage laugh.
"If it was with my last breath, I would protest against so cowardly an outrage," replied Fred, with all the contempt that he could assume.
"Hullo! I know that voice," cried Kellum, starting forward, and pulling Fred's cap from his face. "D----n me, if I didn't think so," he continued. "You are the grocer that dared to raise your hand against me yesterday morning. Iron him, and away with him to the barracks."
"For what crime, sir?" I asked, starting forward.
"For rebellion," shouted the colonel. "He has dared to interfere with the army of Her Majesty, while suppressing treason."
"He came here to assist the wounded, and had no intention of interfering with the soldiers," I said.
"Away with you, or I'll lock you up, and send you to Melbourne for trial, with your partymen. Go."
"Don't provoke him," whispered an officer. "Obey him, and we will do all that we can for your friend."
"Will you allow me to exchange one word with your prisoner?" I asked of Kellum.
"What, not gone yet?" he roared. "Ready," he shouted, addressing his soldiers, "aim," and the word to "fire," was trembling on his lips, when the officers forced us from the presence of the brute, and we heard the cries of the wounded as they were roughly handled by the soldiers, for the purpose of securing them and conveying them to the barracks.
The soldiers were also employed in attending to their own wounded, several of whom had fallen, and while I carefully picked my way through the crowd I stumbled over a prostrate body, which caused us to stop, and see if we could be of any assistance. I stooped down and placed my hand upon the man's head, and felt his hot blood gush from a wound in his heart. I removed the poor fellow's broad rimmed hat, and saw, to my surprise, that it was Steel Spring.
"Why, it is our old companion," I cried, feeling really sorry at his misfortune. "Help me to lift him up, and we will carry him to the store."
"It's no use," gasped the wounded man. "Got a ball in my breast; all over vid me--sorry I came 'ere--didn't mean to--didn't get pay for this--don't disturb me. I shall die in ten minutes--know it--vill bet all the money I've got that I do--I'm sorry for all my rascalities."
He ceased to speak, and placing his hand upon his breast, groaned as though suffering terrible pain. The blood from his wound flowed on unceasingly.
"Cheer up, old friend," I said, encouragingly. "There is life still left, and we can get you on your feet in a few weeks by the aid of a doctor. We will get a litter, and carry you to the store."
Smith started in search of one, and left Mr. Brown and me to look after the wounded man.
"'Tis werry kind of you, but 'tis no use." Steel Spring whispered. "I've got a load here that vill keep me quiet arter I'm dead. I shan't be able to steal then, 'cos gold vould be of no use to me vere I'm going."
"If you want to save that covey's life, you'd better make him hold his gab, and get him off the ground as soon as possible," an English soldier said, stopping for a moment to examine our old companion's wound, and then passing on with as much indifference as it was possible to manifest.
Luckily the litter arrived, and we managed to get Steel Spring on to it, and carried him to the store. There was but little life in him, and that little we tried to retain, and consulted with the best doctor in Ballarat for that purpose. The physician said that the ball would have to be extracted first, when the wound would heal of itself, if nothing in the shape of inflammation intervened, and to prove that he was right, probed the wound, started the bleeding afresh, and in less than an hour after the spy was carried to our store he was a corpse, and the doctor had sent in his bill for medical attendance, and charged in proportion to his ignorance, which was immense.
Leaving Smith to manufacture a coffin out of the spare boards and boxes which the store contained, Mr. Brown and myself started for the head quarters of the commissioner for the purpose of seeking an interview, and obtaining the release of Fred, who, I doubted not, would be set free in the morning, as no charge could be brought against him of a rebellious nature.
We found a guard of soldiers stationed around the house, and an eager and excited crowd was kept at a distance by a line of bayonets. I saw that the miners were anxious to learn if any of their friends were wounded or taken prisoners, yet could obtain no satisfactory information, as all intercourse with those in custody was denied.
"Stand back, sir," cried a sergeant, as Mr. Brown and myself pressed forward for the purpose of reaching the entrance to the building.
"Hullo, Richards! is that you?" Mr. Brown exclaimed, extending his hand.
"Ah, excuse me, sir; I didn't recognize you. Sorry to be obliged to stop you, sir, but have got positive orders to admit only those having business."
"Then we are just the ones to pass, for we have business of importance with the commissioner."
"Ah, that alters the case. Pass in, gentlemen;" and as the soldiers lowered their bayonets, we slipped past them, and in a few minutes found ourselves in the ante-room of the commissioner.
"You had better go in alone, for I can be of no service to you," whispered Mr. Brown; and I felt the truth of the remark.
I boldly followed an officer into the commissioner's room, and soon found myself in the presence of Kellum, the commissioner, and half a dozen captains and lieutenants.
"I tell you, that every dog of them should be shot, and then you'll hear no more of taxes and rebellion. That's the way I'd punish treason, and it will be effectual. We should have no more meetings and political speeches by men who don't know what they are ranting about. We have got the rebels at our feet. Let us trample upon them."
"It will not do," replied the commissioner, mildly, with his usual crafty calculation. "The home government will hear of the matter, and rake us over the coals for it. Besides, the newspapers would raise a prodigious row, and then Parliament will have to appoint a commissioner of inquiry. No, no; I've thought the matter over carefully, and I'm convinced that we should get awfully blackballed if we shoot the rascals, although"--and he smiled and rubbed his hands with glee--"I should like the sport."
"Say but the word, and in fifteen minutes every dog of them shall be dead," cried the colonel, who, having tasted blood, wished for more.
"No, no; let us send them to Melbourne, where a long imprisonment and low diet will be the fate of each."
The colonel was about to make some observation, when an officer touched his elbow, and called his attention to me.
"Hullo, by G----d, sir, how long have you been in this room?" he roared.
"I should judge about five minutes," I replied, calmly.
"And your business here?" he demanded, fiercely; and I saw that he had not forgotten the blow which Fred dealt him the day before.
"My business is not with you, sir, but with this gentleman," I replied, turning to the commissioner.
"Well, transact it, and be off. If that sergeant admits another grocer, I'll hang him before morning."
I did not notice the sneer, but turned towards the commissioner, upon whom I hoped to make a favorable impression.
"I have called, sir, to see if I could not make arrangements for the release of my friend, who was taken into custody to-night, and who is innocent of any connection with this rebellion."
"What arrangement do you wish to make?" the commissioner asked.
"I will give bonds to a large amount for his appearance at any time that you may appoint."
"Why, the grocer thinks that he is in a court of law," the colonel said, with a most insulting sneer.
"No, sir," I replied, "I thought that I was in the presence of gentlemen."
"None of your insolence here," the bully roared, not liking the smile which he saw upon the faces of his officers.
"Insolence is but a poor weapon to gain a cause, and a gentleman should never use it unless to rebuke presumption," I replied.
"We cannot take the bail that you offer," the commissioner said. "Your partner was arrested for giving vent to treasonable expressions, and after he was taken into custody, on his person was found a dangerous weapon, in the shape of a revolver."
"Don't say that the pistol was dangerous to any one but himself," the colonel cried. "I dare say that if he had attempted to shoot any one, he would not have known how."
"There is where you do the gentleman an injustice," an officer remarked.
"If you did not think him dangerous, you should have met after the scene in our store," I said, addressing the colonel, and alluding to the blow which Fred had struck him.
"I am not accustomed to meet every pauper that presents himself for battle. I don't wish to place him on a level with myself, and therefore will wait until he proves himself a gentleman."
"There is where you are mistaken, colonel," said a young gentleman dressed in the uniform of a captain. "I had the pleasure of meeting both of these gentlemen at a levee of the governor's, and I know that he spoke very highly of them, and offered to reward them with lucrative positions for their services in destroying two or three bands of bushrangers, who had long been a terror to travellers. It does not require a patent of nobility to make them gentlemen."
"Why, Captain Fitz, you had better offer to defend the prisoner, you speak so warmly in his behalf," sneered the colonel.
"I am not a lawyer, sir, although if I am called upon to give my testimony, I think that I shall say what I please regarding the slaughter of twenty-two miners, whose only crime was protesting against an unjust tax."
"Say what you please, and welcome; but while you are under my command you must obey my orders or else stand the chances of a court-martial. I don't think that the miners agree with you," the military despot continued, after a moment's consultation with the commissioner; "I desire that you take command of the escort which is about to start for Melbourne with the prisoners. You will lose not a moment, but report yourself ready in an hour's time."
"I do not require even a moment's time," replied the young man; "I am ready now, and am only too anxious to start."
"As for you, sir," the colonel said, turning to me, "you can see your friend after he reaches Melbourne, but not before. He is charged with a serious crime, and those higher in power than myself must deal with him."
I left the apartment, uncertain what to do or where to go. Mr. Brown joined me in the ante-room, but read the result of my mission in my face.
"There's no hope?" he asked.
"None; he goes to Melbourne to-night."
"So much the better," answered Mr. Brown, promptly; "now we shall have a fair chance for his freedom; for great things can sometimes be accomplished in that city."
"But Fred will suffer on the route," I remarked, "and unless he is cared for, will never reach the city alive."
"Don't give yourself any uneasiness on that score," Captain Fitz said, he having heard my last remark; "I will take care that he is treated with as much consideration as the circumstances will admit of, and see that he wants for nothing."
I uttered a few hurried thanks, and the captain was about to pass, when I detained him.
"Is there any means by which we can obtain an interview with my friend?" I asked.
"I fear not," he answered, in a hesitating manner, which inspired me with some hope.
"Only a few words," I pleaded.
"If the colonel or commissioner should know that I ever listened to the suggestion, there would be a pretty row," muttered the captain, still hesitating.
"But they need not know it," I repeated.
"Come, Captain Fitz, for old acquaintance sake, let us see the young man. No harm will come of it, and you will be doing a good service," said Mr. Brown, who knew the officer while quartered at Melbourne.
"Well, I will see what I can do for you; but remember, I shall give you only five minutes."
"That will answer our purpose," I replied.
"Then wait here a few moments, until I report myself ready for the march. The prisoners are being mustered, and preparing for the long tramp, for we have got to get them out of Ballarat before daylight, for fear of an attack and rescue."
He spoke hurriedly, and then entered the commissioner's room, where he remained ten minutes, when he again joined us.
"All right," he whispered; "put on these overcoats and caps--you must pass for officers, or there will be an end to all attempts at an interview."
We were too glad to comply with the request to waste words, and as soon as we had donned the disguise we followed the captain out of the front door, passed double lines of soldiers, still on duty, but resting on their arms, and at length reached a strong building where the prisoners were confined, and where preparations were being made for their removal.
A dozen or twenty soldiers guarded the door; but at the sight of the captain and his uniform, arms were presented, the door was unlocked, and we passed into a room thirty feet square, where we found about twenty-five of the most prominent miners, lounging about, talking, and apparently entirely indifferent to their fate. We cast our eyes over the crowd, and soon saw Fred, holding a conversation with a soldier, whom he was endeavoring to bribe to get writing materials, so that he could indite a few lines to us before he left.
"Step this way, my man," I said, disguising my voice, and addressing my friend.
He looked somewhat astonished, but as he could not see my face, he did not know me.
"Well, gentlemen, what is your pleasure?" he asked, as he followed us to the most remote part of the room.
"To see you before you left, and to convince you that we will make every exertion to secure your release," I whispered.
"Ah, Jack," my friend said, squeezing my hand, "I knew that you would not let me leave without making an effort to see me. A thousand thanks for this kindness."
"Don't be discouraged," I continued; "Mr. Brown and myself are going to Melbourne in the morning, and we will use all our influence to get you clear. Is there any thing that you desire?"
"I don't know of any thing, unless you can send me a few clothes, so that I can have a change after reaching the city."
"We will await your arrival, and while we are away, Smith must look after the business."
"Time is up, gentlemen," Captain Fitz said, approaching us.
"One moment, sir.--Have you any gold in your pockets?" I asked.
"A few shilling pieces--nothing more," Fred replied.
"Then take these sovereigns;" and I slipped a dozen into his hand.
"I must again remind you, gentlemen," the captain remarked.
"We are all ready to leave, and have only one more favor to ask. Let us have a moment's conversation with the orderly sergeant, who will have the immediate care of the prisoners."
"There he stands," the captain replied, pointing to a six-footer, who was ironing the men, and who was waiting to handcuff Fred.
The captain smiled to see the eagerness with which I rushed towards the man, and then very wisely turned his back upon us. He suspected what I intended to do.
"You have the immediate charge of the prisoners?" I asked.
"Yes, sir," he replied, with some show of respect, for we wore the overcoats of officers.
"Will you see that my friend there has every comfort that it is possible to obtain on the route?" I asked.
"They must all share alike, sir," he answered.
"But will you promise not to iron him, and accept his word of honor that he will not attempt to run away?" I asked.
"Couldn't think of such a thing, sir. I'm responsible for every man."
"But he is a gentleman, and will keep his word, let what will happen," I pleaded.
Another reproval was springing from his lips, when suddenly his face underwent a remarkable change, and a smile took the place of a frown.
"Fifty more when I meet you in Melbourne, if you strictly comply with my requests," I whispered.
The soldier put his hand into his pocket with wonderful dexterity, and I heard gold chink as he withdrew it.
"All right, sir--rely upon me. The gentleman shall have my bed and grub, and ride beside me in the ambulance. I must keep an eye on him, you know, 'cos I'm 'sponsible for his safe keeping."
"Watch him as close as you please," I replied, "although I assure you that he would not escape after he has once passed his word for all the gold in the mines of Australia."
"Them's the kind of coveys I likes," responded the soldier. "He shan't feel the touch of the irons, and shall fare like a grenadier. But you won't forget the other fifty."
I assured the man that the money should be forthcoming; and just then the shrill notes of a trumpet were heard outside, followed by the roll of a drum.
"You must leave instantly," cried Captain Fitz, hurriedly. "The prisoners are about to be led out."
We rushed towards Fred, gave him a hearty shake of our hands, whispered a few words of encouragement, and then were compelled to leave the building.
"Pass this way, gentlemen," the captain said; "I'll escort you through the lines, as you might find some difficulty in answering the sentry's challenges."
We followed the kind-hearted officer, and were soon outside the lines, when we thanked him for his kindness.
"Some other time we will talk of the matter," he answered. "I must now hasten back to my command; but one word before we part. Don't think that all British officers resemble Colonel Kellum. Now, I will thank you for the overcoats, or my brother officers will scold worse than a dragoon. Adieu. We shall meet in Melbourne."
He disappeared in the darkness, and we walked silently to the store, where we found Smith, who was so overcome by the arrest of Fred that he had drank six or seven glasses of whiskey, and announced his intention of continuing to imbibe until he was lost to all reason. A few words of comfort, however, and an announcement that we should leave for Melbourne in the morning, and require him to look after the store until our return, sobered him, and he vowed not to touch another glass of spirits until Fred was released.
Mr. Brown promised to accompany me, and before morning we packed up our clothes, and at daylight we were on our way in the stage, rolling along at the rate of ten miles an hour; and in two days after leaving the mines we were in Melbourne, and closeted with Murden, who proved himself our friend in adversity, as he was in prosperity.
"I will do all that I can," he said, after listening to our story. "The commissioner has so magnified matters that the governor and council really think a most formidable insurrection has occurred, and that he has displayed great power in putting it down. To make the affair as complicated as possible, the governor seems to think that the Americans were at the head of the conspiracy, and have urged the English on to action. I, of course, know better, and will endeavor to have him put right on the subject."
Murden appointed an interview in the afternoon, and then left us to lay our case before a few of the most influential members of the council, while we visited old acquaintances, and explained to Smith's wife, who was living in a very pleasant house in the city, the reason why her husband would not return for a week or two. The lady was heartily glad to see me, and at her request Mr. Brown and myself took up our quarters in her house during our stay in the city.
In the afternoon we called on Murden, and found that he had accomplished his object. The governor, on his representations, had ordered a discharge to be immediately made out, and sealed by the broad seal of the colony, and intimated that a most thorough investigation should be instituted regarding the conduct of both the commissioner and Colonel Kellum at Ballarat.
"And now to conclude a long story," said Murden, "here is a discharge which states that your friend was unjustly arrested, and that he be released from custody, no matter under whose jurisdiction he may be, forthwith. His excellency also bade me state that he should be pleased to see you before your departure from the city, and requests Mr. Inspector Brown to repair to Ballarat and report for duty."
"Ah, Murden," Mr. Brown exclaimed, "I am indebted to you for this re-appointment."
"I thought that I might as well kill two birds with one stone, as the saying is, and faith I've done it. But I see that both of you are impatient to leave my pleasant company, which is ungrateful; but I overlook it with Christian meekness. You can't go though until you have dined with me, and then called to thank his excellency."
The proposition was accepted, and after dining with the lieutenant we visited the palace, and were most heartily greeted by the governor and his council, and at their request we explained our views at considerable length in relation to the affairs of Ballarat and the mining tax, and the means by which future troubles could be avoided. We were listened to with attention, and I sincerely believe that what we uttered that day did considerable towards inducing the government to abolish all excepting a mere nominal tax, and to once more restore order in the mines.
After leaving the palace we engaged seats in the stage, and that night were rolling towards Ballarat, with the expectation of meeting the military not more than thirty miles from Melbourne, and we were correct in our supposition, for just at daylight the driver stopped, and pointed out the company just striking their tents and getting ready for their morning march. We induced the driver to await our return, and to the extreme surprise of Captain Fitz we presented ourselves, and requested the release of Fred, and after a brief examination of the document the captain complied with our demand.
Our meeting with Fred was of a joyous description, but we had but little time to waste in explanations. The driver was impatient, and the soldiers ready to march. I had but time to reward the sergeant for his kindness, and to assure Fred's fellow-prisoners that I would use all the exertion that I could to obtain their pardons, when the rolling drum gave the signal for moving, and in a few minutes the military were lost to view in a cloud of dust.
But I must here draw my long narrative to a close, not because we did not afterwards meet with adventures worthy to be recounted, but because a lengthy absence from the country precludes the idea of further continuing the series of sketches, which I am glad to find have found favor in the eyes of the public.
For the satisfaction of the reader, I will state that for three years we remained in Australia, and then when we left that country it was with a solid conviction that we had been repaid for our toil and trouble, our sufferings and pleasures.
Before I bid farewell to my readers, I will state that the miners who were arrested and marched to Melbourne were all discharged, and that after the mining tax was reduced, all further trouble ceased.
In many instances, in the course of the narrative, I have used fictitious names; but the reader will pardon me when I state that most of those introduced are still alive, and employed by the Australian government, and it would hardly be right to expose their good or bad actions to the world. With these few words I am happy to inform the reader that my sketches are, for the present, brought to an end, but I hope at some future time to resume them, and publish a second series of "Adventures in Australia."
[THE END]
William Henry Thomes's Novel: Gold Hunters' Adventures; or, Life in Australia
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