The True Story of the KellyGang of Bushrangers Chapter 10 page 4
full text
Still supposing the outlaws to be particularly ill mannered policemen - Ned Kelly had threatened to blow Mr Dudley’s brains out if he gave any more cheek - Mr McDougal, Mr Tennant, Mr Dudley, and Mr Casement, the gentlemen of the shooting party, allowed themselves to be conducted under protest to the homestead, where the little comedy was brought to a close by Stephens, the groom, formally introducing the outlaw as Mr Edward Kelly. The prisoners were then searched by Dan Kelly and locked up with the others in the store room, where Ned Kelly became conversational with them also, and among other favours, showed them the gold watch which he had taken from Kennedy. The rifle, guns and ammunition in the shooting party’s cart were all confiscated, but beyond imprisonment the men suffered no violence, while the women were still allowed to remain free and were interfered with in no way, though Dan did suggest having a lark with them - a proposal promptly squelched by his elder brother.
Four trains passed the house before half past two in the afternoon - two each way - and when they were heard approaching, the prisoners were commanded to keep very quiet, with the promise that anyone who raised an alarm would have his brains blown out. About half past two the outlaws went on to the railway line, and worked the destruction to the telegraph lines which had excited Mr Wyatt, and while thus engaged they encountered four railway gangers, who were arrested and added to the squad of prisoners in the storeroom.
A little after three Ned Kelly, Dan Kelly and Steve Hart dressed themselves for an expedition to Euroa and made all necessary arrangements. The capture of the hawker’s cart was a particularly useful circumstance to them, as making a selection from the wardrobe it contained, they dressed themselves most carefully in brand new clothes, and did not even neglect such refinements as the use of scent, to which they helped themselves liberally from Mr Gloster’s bottles. Enpassant it may be remarked that, though they made it a boast that they never robbed poor men, and though they refused small sums of money which were offered them by some of the prisoners, the outlaws made Gloster no payment for some £14 worth of wearing apparel which they took away with them, nor for the revolver which he valued at £3 10s.
Having got ready for the journey they requested Mr McCauley to write a small cheque for presentation by them at the Euroa bank, and then taking their horses from the stable turned them loose in the paddock. At half past three they set out from the station, Ned Kelly driving Gloster’s cart which was a hooded vehicle, Dan Kelly taking the spring cart belonging to the shooting party, and Steve Hart riding one of the station horses, while his own was left to graze in the home paddock.
See previous page / next page
This document gives you the text of the report about the KellyGang for this day. 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. This document is subject to copyright.
the previous chapter / next chapter . .The True Story of the KellyGang of Bushrangers index
