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and platelayers in the course of the day. By
nightfall there were no less than sixty-two persons under guard in the hotel ;
but it is clear that many of these were of the sympathetic class. Among them was
the solitary Glenrowan policeman, an efficient officer named Bracken, who had
been lured out of the police-station and marched off to the hotel under the
usual threats.
Ned made no secret of the horrible catastrophe he was
waiting for. On the contrary, he was frankly jubilant ; forcibly, if not
elegantly, remarking that he meant to "fill all the ruts round with the fat
carcases of the -- police." In spite of his candour the great majority of
the prisoners kept up their spirits wonderfully. They had long to wait: the
special train did not leave Melbourne till 10 on Sunday night. In the evening
the bushrangers and, apparently, some of the prisoners commenced dancing to
while away the time. But there were some, at least, among the prisoners who did
their duty. Among these was a Mr. Thomas Curnon (sic), the Glenrowan
schoolmaster, whose name ought always to be honourably mentioned in connection
with this affair. He, with his wife and sister, had been stopped as they drove
home past the hotel and imprisoned with the rest. Forcible escape was out of the
question. All Mr. Curnon (sic) could do was to endeavour, in the first place, to gain
the confidence of the outlaws. He loudly professed his sympathy with them and
his hatred of the police; he assured Ned that he was with him heart and soul,
and flattered and fooled the desperado to the top of his bent. Ned became quite
genial. This result obtained, Mr. Curnon (sic) insinuated that it would be only
charitable to allow him to take his wife, who was ill, home. There was some
demur, but eventually Ned foolishly consented to allow it. Mr. Curnon (sic), with his
wife and sister, were allowed to go home under the escort of a member of the
gang. On their arrival they were told that if one of them dared to leave the
house all three would be killed; and, with this warning, their guard left them,
remarking further, however, that he would return in half an hour to see that
they were all safe. But Mr. Curnon (sic)was not to be deterred either by these
threats or by the