ties determined to bring some of the miscreants to justice. An opportunity soon offered. A raid was made upon a small Chinese encampment at Blackguard Gully, and information being conveyed to the police, a body of troopers was despatched to arrest any person or persons found molesting the Chinese.
Three men were arrested and marched to the lock-up and safely housed within that stronghold. The police were called in from all parts of the diggings, and every available man was placed under arms to protect the police court and lock-up. Soon it became whispered about that an effort was to be made to rescue the prisoners, and that a grand “roll up” would take place that night. The arrests took place in the afternoon, and no stir was perceptible until nearly dusk, when ominous sounds were heard in the distance, and after a while the strains of music, and the deafening and defiant shouts of a vast mob could be distinctly heard, the mob steadily but surely advancing on the police camp from Stony Creek, Spring Creek, and Wombat. On came the mob, augmenting its numbers until it reached 3000, and on they marched, yelling defiance at the police. Directly in front of the police camp there was a stout three-rail fence, and through this fence it was unlawful to pass without permission. Arrived here the mob halted, and with threats and shouts demanded the instant release of the three prisoners in the lock-up. Captain Zouch, not wishing to go to extremes until every effort had been made to appease the turbulent spirit of the mob, left the steps of the court-house. Having first taken off his sword, and placed it and his revolver in the court-house, he proceeded to harangue the mob, cautioning them of the trouble they were likely to bring on themselves, and declaring most emphatically that as long as he had a man left he would retain possession of the prisoners at all hazards; he told them the prisoners would have a fair trial, and could see their solicitors if they wished. The Riot Act was then read by Commissioner Griffin. This was received with clamour. After vainly endeavouring to reason with the rioters, the Captain returned to the court-house, resumed his sword and revolver, and waited events.
Not many minutes elapsed before the suspense was brought to an end by the mob firing several shots at the police, whereupon the foot police (sixteen in number, under Inspector Sanderson) were ordered to fire. Fortunately for the mob the police fired high. The fire only took effect on one man killed, and another man, not engaged in the affray, but standing at his tent door in the township, was wounded on the knee by a spent ball. Nothing daunted, the mob fired again and again. The mounted police (twenty-four in number, led by Sub-Inspector M‘Lerie) then charged; the effect was instantaneous, the mob making a most ignominious retreat, helter-skelter down the hill and through the creek, leaving behind them a miscellaneous collection of hats,
