In the dead of the night after the burning of the Eureka Hotel, three men
had been taken into custody, charged with riot, and subsequently committed
to take their trial in Melbourne.
I think the diggers at this time seriously contemplated to burn down the Camp,
and thus get rid in a blaze of all their grievances.
A committee for the defence of these men, met at the Star Hotel, and sent round
to all the tents on Ballaarat for subscriptions. I contributed my mite,
and then learned that VERN, KENNEDY, and HUMFFRAY were the triumvirate
of said committee.
The following placard was posted throughout the goldfields:-
500 POUNDS REWARD
for the discovery, apprehension and conviction
of the murderer of James Scobie, found dead near
the late Eureka Hotel, etc., etc.
At one and at the same time, also, the following placards were posted
at each prominent gum-tree on the goldfield:-
500 POUNDS REWARD
increased by Government to
1,600 POUNDS!!
for the apprehension and conviction of the robbers
of the Bank of Victoria.
A desperate deed was committed in broad mid-day; Monday, October 16th,
in the Ballaarat township.
Four men in the garb of diggers, wearing sou'-wester hats, and having
crepe over their faces, entered the Bank of Victoria, and succeeded
in carrying off property in notes and gold, to the amount
of about 15,000 pounds.
Who would have told me then, that soon I should be messmate to those
unknown audacious robbers, in the same gaol!!
Let's go to the public meeting in the next chapter.
