The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (51)

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CHAPTER XIII

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These spies also reported that the outlaws were starved out, and that Dan Kelly was seen somewhere, and that he was very thin and starved-looking.  Mr Nicolson reported these optimistic records to the Chief Commissioner of Police as the justification of his policy of patience—to lull the outlaws into a feeling of false security so that they may become reckless and venture out into the open, and be easily captured or destroyed.

The Kellys took full advantage of the immunity they now enjoyed from pursuit, and settled down in their old home at Eleven-Mile Creek.  They put a ceiling of bark in the house, and the four outlaws slept there in the attic, and seldom ventured out during the day.  Their friends kept a close watch on all the movements of the police, and advised the outlaws if there was any danger of police invasion.

A party of twelve mounted police were sent from Benalla to Greta.  They were on some “good information,” and were out to pick up the tracks, and, if possible, capture the Kellys.  The four outlaws were sitting inside taking things easy.  Suddenly one of Mrs Skillion’s children rushed in, and then exclaimed that there was such a lot of men coming from Benalla on horseback.  There was no time for the four men to get away.

Ned told Mrs Skillion to take the children into the back room, and lie down flat on the floor with them.  Mrs Skillion said she would get the children out of the way as suggested, but that she herself would remain beside them and hand them the cartridges.  The police were coming on at a walking pace.  Ned was a bit worried, as the women and children might get shot.  Each of the outlaws took up his position in readiness for the battle.  The usual position was, however, altered in this case.  It was the police who would come up and challenge the outlaws.  But then the police might just ride up and bully the women to show them over the house.  In that case they would be called to “bail up” and throw up their arms.  There was great excitement in the old home; the police were now almost up to the sliprail, and the four outlaws had the leading four covered.  With good shooting, it would take three shots each to account for the twelve policemen.  The tension was suddenly relieved when Mrs Skillion exclaimed, “They’re off; they’re off to Greta!” The police as they came to the sliprails started off in a canter, quite oblivious of the reception that was in store for them if they had attempted to call at the homestead.

The police went on to inquire into the “good information” sent in by one of the spies.  They found some tracks, and after following them for some time came to the conclusion that the tracks were not those of the outlaws. 

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This document gives you the text of this book about the KellyGang. The text has been retyped from a copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. We also apologise for any typographical errors. JJ Kenneally was one of the first authors to tell this story from the KellyGang's point of view