I now produce the narrative of the capture on Yorke's Peninsula of four bushrangers from Tasmania by Inspector Tolmer and five policemen, Captain Dashwood being Commissioner of Police at the time. The particulars I chiefly obtained from Mr. Tolmer and from one of the troopers named Farrell, also from confessions of prisoners and sailors from the whaler.

The Inspector on his way to his office in the Police Barracks, on a certain day, was met by two men, who, seeing him in uniform, asked him ''Are you a police officer ?'' He answered ''Yes, what do you want ?''

''We are two policemen from Tasmania ; we have a letter from our Governor to the Chief Secretary here relative to four desperate bushrangers who have been the terror of Tasmania for over three years, during which time they have committed several murders, and for which crimes we have warrants to arrest them. It has been ascertained without doubt that they have shipped on board a whaling ship bound on a trip to fish off Kangaroo Island.''

The Inspector, seeing the serious nature of the case, at once took the men to the Colonial Secretary, who, on reading the letter, sent the disguised policemen on to the Commissioner of Police. He immediately placed the matter before the Governor, who ordered him to proceed at once to Port Adelaide and obtain from Captain Lipson, Harbor Master, the cutter Lapwing, with orders to him to furnish the craft with every necessary for a trip to search for the four criminals, and to convey a police party on special duty.

Every preparation having been made, the Commissioner, with Inspector Tolmer and a number of police, embarked in the Lapwing, having Captain Lipson in command of the cutter, with instructions to cruise about the Gulf and to the southward of Kangaroo Island, with the view of falling in with the whaler.

This was continued for several days, but as they did not meet with her, they returned through Backstairs Passage and put into American River, Kangaroo Island, when Inspector Tolmer suggested to the Commissioner that probably the men might have left the ship and have landed at Hog Bay, and if so would be likely to be harboring with characters of their class who he knew to be resident there from his previous official visits, when he had taken into custody depredators whom he had found in hiding in that locality. This suggestion was followed.

The Commissioner, Inspector, and police started on foot to make their way through the scrub lying between them and Hog Bay. The Inspector had on a previous occasion made his way through the same tangled vegetation, and now acted as guide.

Captain Lipson had orders to take the cutter the following morning into Hog Bay to meet the party. On their toilsome journey, about midway, they were overtaken by a violent thunderstorm and heavy drenching rain. At this time the Inspector had to give in, finding he could not proceed further without rest ; in his eagerness for the work, he had left Adelaide when he was under the medical treatment of Dr. Nash.

The whole party now sheltered themselves in the best way they could under bushes. Shortly after the storm had abated, the Inspector, feeling himself somewhat recovered, they continued onward through the dripping scrub until they came in sight of the huts at Hog Bay. The whole party creeping on, suddenly made a rush with the intention of seizing the men, if there, before they could recover their arms, but only the usual inhabitants were found.

The invaders remained in the huts that night. In the morning the cutter entered the bay, and the force embarked. As Mr. Tolmer was still seriously indisposed, the Commissioner decided to return to Adelaide ; but before doing so he adopted the Inspector's suggestion to call in at Kingscote, and to endeavor to enlist the assistance of an islander who had been some years on the island, and who was still squatting there. This man had been before the police magistrate in Adelaide, under a charge of being a runaway from Sydney, but had been discharged through a defect in the warrant on which he had been taken, but he was told that if a Judge's warrant arrived he would be liable to be brought up again. The officers thought that he would be likely to render aid in the case on which they were engaged, as he possessed a sailing boat, and was in the habit of visiting the main.

The Inspector having on a former occasion visited him, and knowing his habits well, was dispatched to obtain an interview with him, and on finding the man at home, explained what desperate characters he was seeking to take, and the heavy crimes they had committed, and offered on behalf of the Government certain inducements to him. He was required to lose no time in communicating to the Government if the whaler arrived in which the men had left Tasmania, or if four men answering their description should arrive in a boat in any of the bays.

The Inspector obtained full promises to the demand to dispatch his boat with any information he might gain, and the party left in full confidence that the islander would be as good as his word, as he knew a sword was hanging over him, and he naturally desired, with his family, to continue in undisturbed possession of the spot which he had made his home.

The Lapwing, with her passengers, returned to Port Adelaide. A few days after their return, the Inspector as he passed the Globe Hotel was addressed by two gentlemen, Mr. T. Giles and Mr. Weaver, who informed him that four men had landed from a boat towards the southern end of Yorke's Peninsula, and had engaged themselves to work for Mr. Bowden on his sheep stations. Their account of themselves was considered improbable, and altogether they bore a very suspicious appearance. They stated they were whalers, and to the south of Kangaroo Island had been fast to a whale, which dragged them out of sight of their ship and the island ; at last they were obliged to cut the line, and bore up as they supposed in the direction they would find their vessel, and kept on until they entered the Gulf and landed on the Peninsula, hoping to get food, having none on board the whale-boat. They found a stranded whale-calf on the beach, on which they lived several days, and kept along the coast until they met with Mr. Bowden.

This tale was too unlikely to be accepted as true by Inspector Tolmer, as he knew no boat ever leaves a whaling ship with four men only in her to attack a whale ; he therefore lost no time in reporting the matter to his superior officer, the Commissioner, and they soon concluded that no time should be lost in following up the clue obtained. It was decided to send one policeman, disguised, to Bowden's Station, giving him the description of the men forwarded by the Tasmanian Government. In the meantime the Tasmanian policemen who had arrived were kept out of sight.

A private of the name of Farrell was selected to act on this dangerous service, which required much caution and prudence, as well as courage, as it had been reported that the four men had stipulated with Mr. Bowden that they should be supplied with firearms, as they were afraid of the blacks, and arms were supplied to them. The next step for the officers was to see the gentlemen who had given the information and to ascertain when they would be leaving Port Adelaide for their stations. They replied that the cutter Midge, which was then trading between the Port and Oyster Bay, would leave for the Peninsula on the day following.

An arrangement was then made with Mr. Weaver, who agreed to engage the disguised policeman as a shepherd in the place of a man who was about to leave him, and that he promised he would in other ways assist the police in pursuing the men ''wanted.'' It was then arranged that the man Farrell should at an appointed time the next day meet Mr. Weaver, with a bushman's swag and costume, and be engaged by him, and his passage by the Midge be taken by his supposed master.

All this was carried out, and at the appointed time the Midge sailed with master and man on board, and known as such to the captain and crew of the cutter. Farrell was charged by the Inspector to assume all the characteristics of a bushman, and to avoid his upright soldierly carriage. He had served Her Majesty as a private in a regiment of the line, and had purchased his discharge and had entered the police force.

This first arrangement carried out and the start made, in the afternoon of the following day the Inspector was met by two men who had arrived in the squatter's boat from Kangaroo Island. The squatter had fulfilled his promise in losing no time in dispatching information. The men brought a letter containing an account of the arrival of the whaler at the island to enquire after four of his sailors who had left the ship, with four men who had joined him off Tasmania, the party on leaving his ship having stolen one of his boats.

Here was a further surprise and complication, for if eight had left the ship and four only had shown up on the Peninsula, what had become of the other four ? Had they been disposed of by the Tasmanian convicts, and more murders been committed ? His first impression on reading the letter was that no fresh steps could be taken until he had information from Farrell as to the identity of those he was directed to report upon, as they might be the missing sailors, and then where was he to look for the greater culprits.

At this time the Commissioner had left town for his country residence. In the dilemma the Inspector decided to wait on the Governor, who considered that no time should be lost in getting a communication with Farrell. His Excellency was pleased at the prompt action in sending the spy to visit Bowden's station, and considered it imperative that the Inspector with such a force as he considered necessary should start in the Lapwing, and wrote a letter to Captain Lipson instructing him to prepare and dispatch the Lapwing to convey the Inspector and his men to Oyster Bay and to wait on him there. The Inspector started with four policemen, Bold, Flogdale, South, and Morgan, privates, and sailed that evening.

Of the men he selected South and Morgan are dead, Bold is now station-master at Bowden, Farrell, who was sent in advance, after he left the police de-parted from the colony, and Flogden [sic] was last heard of in California. During the time I was preparing these papers Farrell returned from California, and from him I obtained the account of what occurred until he was joined by the Inspector and the four men named.

Inspector Tolmer, having the highest opinion of the four men who accompanied him and of the man on the scent, considered he had a sufficient force, and the actions of the men in supporting him proved his confidence in them was not misplaced. Their night's passage proved propitious, and by early dawn they were approaching near Oyster Bay, and when about five miles from there they perceived two small cutters dredging for oysters. Not wishing to be recognised as the Government cutter, with police on board, he ordered his men to lie down out of sight, and the gaftopsail was taken down, he also hiding himself.

On consulting with the captain he informed Mr. Tolmer that the Lapwing was often taken for the cutter Elizabeth, and as he approached the fishing boats he proposed to hail them, and on their asking what craft he would answer the Elizabeth, with stores for Bowden. After this exchange of compliments he steered south, and on sighting the Midge cast anchor about half a mile away from her, to avoid raising any suspicion of the object of the visit ; this was especially necessary as a dray was seen on the beach with several men receiving stores from the Midge.

The Inspector was much puzzled what step to take to obtain information of Farrell, and at last decided (he and his men still keeping out of sight) to dispatch his captain (Smith) to communicate with the captain of the Midge, and to invite him to return with him to the Lapwing. He was to be informed that the Inspector and men were on board, and that they were on an expedition to secure four desperate bushrangers, that he might be aware how much caution was required to be exercised.

The two captains returned, and an explanation was given to the visitor of what a critical situation the few inhabitants on the stations were placed, his own wife and children included, who were on Mr. Beever's station, until these desperadoes were secured. He was then pressed to assist the Inspector by leaving his vessel in charge of his men, and to go at once to Mr. Beever's head station to ascertain what progress Farrell had made, and if he could get a sight of him to inform him, as well as Mr. Beever, that his officer and police had arrived, but to keep the matter quite secret from others ; to return as quick as possible, and if after dark to raise two small fires on a gentle rise pointed out.

The captain consented, and started without delay. The Inspector kept an anxious watch himself all night, but no signals appeared. Soon after daybreak the same cart which the captain of the Midge told him was from Mr. Weaver's station and not from Bowden's, came down to the beach for a load of stores, and as the captain did not arrive at the same time the Inspector became very anxious about his man Farrell.

On the cart disappearing with its load he decided to put an end to the suspense, and ordered his men to prepare to land, and he with them was put on shore in the cutter's boat. They were in plain clothes, the men armed with a carbine and pistol each, the Inspector with a brace of pistols only.

On landing they ran and placed themselves under cover in a gully close at hand, squatting down. They soon heard a footstep, and to their joy the captain of the Midge was seen approaching. He was signalled in a suppressed voice, and quickly turned and joined the party. He informed the Inspector that Farrell was not at Weaver's head station, but had been despatched to one of Bowden's stations for some cabbage plants, which had been promised to Mr. Weaver, who thought sending on such an errand, would enable him to see the men without his real business being suspected but Farrell had not returned.

This information made the Inspector more and more anxious about the fate of Farrell, and caused him to decide to depart immediately to Mr. Weaver's head station.

After following the dray track he came in sight of Weaver's Lagoon, and before they arrived at the station a number of dogs rushed out and gave notice of their approach, on which Mr. Weaver came out, also several men out of their hut, as they were in for dinner. Mr. Weaver addressed the Inspector by name, and in such a manner as to convey surprise to his men, as he did not wish them to suspect he had received information from the captain of the arrival of the police ; and to a question he put Mr. Tolmer answered, loud enough for them to hear, ''We are after some runaway sailors.''

On their entering Mr. Weaver's residence he said, in an excited manner, ''Why have you shown yourselves ? Farrell is expected every minute, and if my men in the kitchen became aware of what you are after they will be likely to sympathise with the bushrangers, and we cannot tell what may happen. The Inspector stated —

''I have determined to proceed at once to communicate with Farrell. Is there a track from here direct to your out-station ?''

"Yes, slight wheel marks ; one of my men has been between the two places through the scrub with a dray. You can have him as a guide. You know him ; he is one of the prison class.''

His guidance was accepted. He was ordered to get up two saddle horses, one for the Inspector and one for himself. The latter rode a mare which had a foal following her. After they had proceeded a few miles the guide said, ''I have lost the track.'' He was then addressed by Mr. Tolmer, thus — ''Now, D——, you are suspected to be a runaway prisoner from Sydney. You know by this time I am Inspector of Police. You have purposely lost the track ; my men shall find it again. If you do not render me assistance I shall take you as an escaped convict.''

The track was again found, and on proceeding a short distance only the barking of dogs was heard, and D—— was then again cautioned. To add to the Inspector's difficulties, a number of Mr. Weaver's horses had followed the mare and foal. A halt was ordered, and the man D—— was told to drive the horses back and to return without making any noise. On his return he was promised, if he faithfully obeyed orders, favor should be shown him.

He was now told to gallop up to the hut (it was now after sunset), ask if Mr. Bowden was there, and to look into the hut and see if any person was there besides the shepherd and hutkeeper, and to return without giving any token of any party being in the vicinity. He returned and said ''only the shepherd and hutkeeper were in the hut.''

He was then ordered to take the horse Mr. Tolmer had ridden, and to ride back to the head-station, driving the other horses before him. On his departure the party remained quiet under bushes, as near the hut as was prudent, so as to avoid discovering themselves.

After a time the inspector decided to send Morgan without his firearms. He had much the appearance of a sailor, having a sou'-wester on his head. He was to represent that he had lost himself in attempting to find Mr. Bowden's Station, to which he had been sent to give information that the Elizabeth, cutter, had arrived with stores for Mr. Bowden. He was to ascertain if Farrell was in the hut, to ask for food for himself , and to be allowed to remain all night, and during the night to steal out if he saw a chance with information. He was after some time enabled to do this, and gave the following account : —

"Farrell is in the hut. I have been lying before the fire with him. He whispered to me he had been at one of Bowden's stations, and had seen two of the men ; they were all right. One answered the description completely, even to a very prominent mark of a wound in his face and hand. He heard of the other two men as at another station engaged in putting up a hut.''

So it was proved D—— had attempted to deceive. Morgan was sent back, and told to leave the hut at the same time in the morning as Farrell left, and as early as possible, and to bring him to their ambush. The Inspector and the two men had to remain in the open bush supper-less, and passed a miserable night without blankets.

In the morning the men did not appear as early as was expected, and explained when they did present themselves that they had considered it better to consent to take breakfast with the shepherd and see him off with the flock before any suspicion was excited. Now comes Farrell's statement.

"After leaving Adelaide and preparing himself with swag and disguise he started in one of the Port carts. On the driver stopping at the Halfway-House he saw a gentleman who answered the description of Mr. Weaver coming out of the house to get into another trap, and addressed him, and said he was informed he was in want of a shepherd, and was answered, ''Yes.'' After some further talk he was engaged to accompany Mr. Weaver to relieve one of his shepherds, who had to leave on account of bad eyes. He went on board the cutter with Mr. Weaver, and on landing at Oyster Bay assisted the first day in conveying stores from the boat to Mr. Weaver's head-station, and the next day was sent to an out-station, where the shepherd with bad eyes had a flock ; but he was ordered by Mr. Weaver to tell the men he had to go to an out-station belonging to Mr. Bowden for some cabbage-plants, and to return with the plants again to the head-station before he took the flock from the man with the bad eyes.

He managed to find Mr. Weaver's out-station, and remained there that night, and as there were only two bunks he had to roll himself in his blankets before the fire when he and the two men turned in. The two mates soon began to talk together, supposing him to be asleep. The hutkeeper said to his mate, ''I say, as you are going to town when this fresh chap takes your flock, you might leave some of your things for those poor castaways at Bowden's ; they are hard up for things.'' To which the shepherd re-plied, ''I know they are ; I don't mind giving one of them a pair of boots ; the chap has his feet bound up in rags, and says they were hurt on the rocks when they were cast away ; and I'll make up a bundle of other things I can spare. The lame one is cooking. I left the sheep feeding, and went to their hut the other day. I am not to leave till Sunday, and I'll leave the things with you.''

To which the hut-keeper replied, ''I would take the things down to the poor chaps myself, but I don't know the way.'' ''Well, there's an old dray-track leads from this hut down there ; follow that.'' All this Farrell was eagerly listening to, and in the morning asked the direction of Bowden's hut, to which he was going for the cabbage-plants. Farrell had been told that both these men were old lags, and therefore knew it would not do to seek any other information from them ; but felt assured he was on the right scent, and so as soon as he had breakfasted he looked out for the track, and following it some miles, sometimes over a sheaoak plain and sometimes through patches of scrub, at length made the hut, and in passing an old sheep-yard saw a bed of cabbage plants. On entering the hut he saw the lame man at the fire baking a damper, and told him what he had come about.

On his sitting down the cook handed him a pannikin of tea. On Farrell asking him what was the matter with his feet, he said his feet were cut in walking along the sea-shore on shells. Farrell was told to go out when he had rested and help himself to cabbage plants, and after returning with them and tying them up he sat down again. At this time a man came in for his dinner who cast his eyes on him, and muttered defiantly, and took a pistol out of his pocket, and seemed to be examining it carefully.

Farrell avoided any apparent notice of him ; but at a glance saw he had a large scar on his hand and one on his face, answering the written description he had in his pocket. He assumed a very unconcerned look, and left as soon as he could without exciting suspicion, and arrived back at Weaver's out-station at sundown.

Of course he was greatly surprised at the appearance of Morgan before they turned in, but they carefully assumed towards each other the actions of perfect strangers. In the morning Farrell had to appear to return with the cabbage-plants, and the other to seek Mr. Bowden. They managed to bring to the watchers in the bush a supply of damper, which was all the breakfast the Inspector and the three policemen got that morning, and they could not show themselves to get even a drink of water.

The Inspector had now got all his men together to go to work with. The lame cook in Bowden's hut had told Farrell that his two other mates were at a new station which was forming near the shore of the Gulf. The Inspector was satisfied he had got all the necessary information to commence the arduous task of taking four fully armed, bloodthirsty villains, and he had now to adopt the most careful means to take them without bloodshed. It was fortunate that he could proceed against them in detail ; he could rely upon his men being stanch and obedient to orders. The conflict must be reserved for a future number. (To be continued.)