The Argus at KellyGang 19/11/1879 (4)

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Captain Moonlite

Moonlite immediately accused him with tampering with his men and raged like a maniac. He said he would hang Baynes but afterwards becoming calmer he forgot his cause for anger and things went on as before. Moonlite whose real name is Andrew George Scott becoming no doubt ennuied and otherwise tired of the con versation of his quondam friends, in vited Mr Macdonald to dine with him. He had been out in the morning and shot two turkeys, and hastened to give their owner a taste of the productions of the estate. It was mutually agreed that the topic of bushrang ing should be ignored. Conversation flowed on in an uninterrupted strain on almost all topics and Mr Macdonald says that Moonlites fund of information was almost inex haustible. Subsequent to this Moonlite allowed the younger to carry some dinner to the elder Macdonald but on no account was Baynes to be allowed to participate. About this time six men came up to the station and they were immediately imprisoned and now comes the meanest act perpetrated at Wantabadgery home station. A stockman rode up, and he was quietly put amongst others, in the dining room. He however had been riding a thoroughbred horse -or rather, filly -just broken in. Moonlite fancied her and walking up to her in the yard, caught her by the bridle. She was fresh and skittish and turned round two or three times. Moonhte swore if she walked round him again he would shoot her. The mare no doubt frightened it rough handling again swerved when raising his revolver, Moonlite shot her dead. Scott then took Mr CA Macdonald as a hostage, and told the elder brother that should he attemrt to escape his brother would be at once shot dead. Having had the horses harnessed to the buggy, Scott with the young fellow, afterwards ordered Macdonald, Weir, and Lindon into the buggy. They then pro ceeded to the superintendent's house (Mr Reid's) Scott sent Weir for any arms there might be there. He procured a Whitworth rifle sighted for 1,100 yards, and ammunition for the same. Mr Reid and his wife and child were then ordered into the buggy, which was driven to Patterton's Australian Arms Hotel. Mr Patterson was away at the time, and having taken two of his children as guarantees that he would follow them, Scott left, having first taken from the hotel a Colt s revolver and two guns with ammunition. He also stuck up seven more men at the hotel, and drove the lot before him to the homestead.

On Moonlite's return he again met Baynes, upon whom he appeared to be determined to wreak his vengeance. He ordered a rope to be brought, and with it produced some fish tacking with which to pinion Baynes's arms. He then ordered one of his men to get the buggy and place Baynes in it, and drive him under the first convenient branch he could find He said, "I will slip the rope over the limb, you can drive away and leave this gentleman hanging there." This programme, no doubt, would have been carried out, had it not been that Mrs Reid and the woman servants commenced shrieking, the former going into hysterics. Moonlite said he could not go on with the affair whilst women were about, consequently Baynes was released. By everybody it is admitted that Baynes's life was in the balance. After this the Macdonalds were informed they could have anything they wanted, but Baynes was sent into the diningroom with the others, who at this time numbered 35.

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