`While rejoicing, as must all good citizens, at the discovery of evil-doers and the capture of one member of a band of notorious criminals, we must state in fairness and candour that their conduct has been, while on the field as miners, free from reproach in every way.For James Marston, who was married but a short while since to a Melbourne young lady of high personal attractions and the most winning amiability, great sympathy has been expressed by all classes.
So much for the "Star".Everybody is sorry for you, old man,' he says to Jim.
`I shouldn't wonder if they'd make you a beak if you'd stayed there long enough.I'm afraid Dick's dropping the policeman won't add to our popularity, though.'
`He's all right,' I said.`Hurrah! look here.I'm glad I didn't finish the poor beggar.Listen to this, from the "Turon Banner": --`BUSH-RANGING REVIVED.
`The good old days have apparently not passed away for ever, when mail robberies and hand-to-hand conflicts with armed robbers were matters of weekly occurrence.The comparative lull observable in such exciting occurrences of late has been proved to be but the ominous hush of the elements that precedes the tempest.
Within the last few days the mining community has been startled by the discovery of the notorious gang of bush-rangers, Starlight and the Marstons, domiciled in the very heart of the diggings, attired as ordinary miners, and -- for their own purposes possibly --leading the laborious lives proper to the avocation.They have been fairly successful, and as miners, it is said, have shown themselves to be manly and fair-dealing men.We are not among those who care to judge their fellow-men harshly.It may be that they had resolved to forsake the criminal practices which had rendered them so unhappily celebrated.James Marston had recently married a young person of most respectable family and prepossessing appearance.
As far as may be inferred from this step and his subsequent conduct, he had cut loose from his former habitudes.He, with his brother, Richard Marston, worked an adjoining claim to the Arizona Sluicing Company, with the respected shareholders of which they were on terms of intimacy.
The well-known Starlight, as Mr.Frank Haughton, became partner and tent-mate with the Hon.Mr.Clifford and Mr.Hastings, an aristocratic society in which the manners and bearing of this extraordinary man permitted him to mingle without suspicion of detection.
`Suddenly information was furnished to the police respecting all three men.
We are not at present aware of the source from which the clue was obtained.
Suffice it to say that Sir Ferdinand Morringer promptly arranged for the simultaneous action of three parties of police with the hope of capturing all three outlaws.But in two cases the birds were flown.
Starlight's "ame damnee", a half-caste named Warrigal, had been observed on the field the day before.By him he was doubtless furnished with a warning, and the horse upon which he left his abode shortly before the arrival of Sir Ferdinand.The elder Marston had also eluded the police.
But James Marston, hindered possibly by domestic ties, was captured at his cottage at Specimen Gully.For him sympathy has been universally expressed.He is regarded rather as a victim than as an active agent in the many criminal offences chargeable to the account of Starlight's gang.
`Since writing the above we have been informed that trooper Walsh, who with another constable was escorting James Marston to Bargo Gaol, has been brought in badly wounded.The other trooper reports that he was shot down and the party attacked by persons concealed in the thick timber near Wild Horse Creek, at the edge of Bargo Brush.
In the confusion that ensued the prisoner escaped.It was at first thought that Walsh was fatally injured, but our latest report gives good hope of his recovery.
`We shall be agreeably surprised if this be the end and not the commencement of a series of darker tragedies.'