The murderer must have heard every word; but no answer was returned either to the threats or commands of those above. There was no occasion for the latter, either to be in haste, or in any way uneasy about the man making his escape. He could not possibly get clear from the trap, into which his partner had so adroitly cajoled him. He must either come out of the shaft, or starve at the bottom of it.
The policemen, soon after, arrived upon the ground; and were made acquainted with all the circumstances.
One of them hailed the convict—commanding him “in the Queen’s name” to come up.
“You are our prisoner,” said the policeman, “you cannot escape; and you may as well surrender at once.”
There was no answer.
One of the policemen then placed himself in a bowline knot at the end of the rope; and was gently lowered down into the shaft—several men standing by at the windlass.
“Hold there!” cried the convict from below. “The instant you reach the bottom, I’ll drive my pick-axe through you.”
The men at the windlass ceased turning—leaving the policeman suspended half way down the shaft.
He was a man of superior courage; and, cocking his revolver, he called to the convict: that he was going down anyhow—adding, that the first move made to molest him in the execution of his duty, would be a signal for him to blow out the brains of the man who should make it.
He then called to the miners at the windlass to “lower away.”