The True Story of the KellyGang of Bushrangers Chapter 8 page 2

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However, the police did their best, striking out in different directions for themselves and still hoping to pick up a good trail, until by some mistake a small party under Sergeant Steele got out of sight while the others were waiting for luncheon. Mr Sadleir heard it afterwards reported as coming from Ned Kelly that he was concealed near by, saw the police party, and could, if he had chosen, easily have shot Mr Nicolson and Mr Sadleir from where he sat. No proof was forthcoming of the truth or falsehood of this statement, but at any rate it is clear that from some source Kelly had most accurate information of the disposition of the police party, for he described how the members of it sat in a little open space where there was water, mentioned some of the men present, and described the brands upon their horses.

With good black trackers the officers believed they would have had a very fair chance of bringing the matter to an issue; but, as it was, they found it hopeless to attempt any further move and were forced to return to Benalla.

Mr Sadleir at this time was only just convalescent from rheumatic fever, and still so weak that his medical man declared it highly dangerous for him to go out upon search parties and suffer exposure from the weather and cold night air of the hills. Therefore, after this attempt to come up with the outlaws, he did not personally engage in the chase for some considerable time, but, attending to office duties, left the more active work to Mr Nicolson who was indefatigable in his efforts. For the next few weeks there was more searching than chasing, for no definite news came to hand of the Kellys’ whereabouts, but all the North Eastern District was parcelled out into areas whereon parties of police varying in number from six to nine were constantly on the move, scouring the country by day and camping out by night.

With many of these parties Mr Nicolson went in person, and for a man of his age the work was most arduous. All the police officers engaged, in fact, were well on in years, Mr Nicolson being close on fifty, Mr Hare forty eight, and Mr Sadlier forty five, while they all had done active and often most severe duty for more than twenty-five years in the Victorian police force.

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