The Argus at KellyGang 21/11/1879 (2)
Captain Moonlite
The knives he produced had blades over a foot in length. Baynes declined to fight a duel, and Moonlite then informed him that he would have now to obey his orders. In the evening, Mr M'Donald and his brother were brought into the room where the prisoners had been assembled. Moonlite treated them with respect. After that more prisoners were run in, and at about 10 o'clock the two M'Donalds, Baynes, and myself were taken to a separate bedroom. M'Donald and his brother slept in a bed. I slept on a sofa, and Baynes on the floor. The bushrangers kept watch over us all night, one of them calling about every hour with a candle to see that we were all there.
In the morning we were directed, to get up together, and when we were let out we found Moonlite standing at the hall door. He told me I would be allowed to walk at freedom about the premises, but that I must not leave here. M'Donald and Baynes served the gang with flour, after which they were locked up in the laundry, a kind of hut at the rear of the premises. Moonlite gave them some meat and flour, saying there was swagman's rations for them, and said they would have to cook for themselves. He allowed M Donald jun to join them. Additional persons were taken up to dinner time. Afterwards I Saw M'Donald jun dining with Moonlite in the kitchen. I was allowed to dine after them. Moonlite said he was going to stick up the old station. I asked him not to frighten Mrs Reid, the manager a wife, and he replied, "You will go with us." We drove down there and the place was stuck up. We proceeded then to the public house, and eight or nine men were made prisoners there including two horse men. All the prisoners were taken on to the station, and two children of the landlord, Mr Patterson, were taken along as hostages, but Mr and Mrs Patterson would surrender themselves at the station soon afterwards. Patterson was absent at the time, and when he returned home he and his wife started for the station. Then occurred the row between Moonlite and Baynes about the latter having said to the youngest member of the gang, "Bad work my boy."
Moonlite eventually declared that he would hang the overseer and got a rope ready. I asked permission to speak, and said I wanted to beg this man's life. Moonlite replied, "No; I will not give it; I would do anything for you, but not that." I counselled Baynes, who then said to Moonlite. "Might I ask your pardon?" At that time the women were crying and screaming out in the kitchen and Moonlite after some consideration said, "The women have saved your life." Moonlite now went to meet Patterson and his wife and made them prisoners along with two young lady friends who had visited them in the interim. The women were all put in the kitchen and when it was getting late they asked that I might be allowed to stay with them over the night. Their request was granted and mattresses and blankets were provided for them. At daylight we heard the report of firearms. Immediately afterwards Nesbitt rushed into the kitchen and fired from there out at the back door. He told us all to lie down on the floor for safety. The bushrangers then left the house and on their return brought four police horses with them. They told us they had driven a number of policemen away. Breakfast was taken, and after that the gang commenced to pack up. The leader then came and made a parting speech to us.
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