‘Always busy John. People coming and going every day.’
‘That’s good, mate. I have a favour to ask of you.’
‘Oh yes, and what’s that?’
‘I am trying to contact a good friend of mine. He told me he intended to return to Melbourne, but I’m not sure if it was tonight or tomorrow.’
‘What’s his name?’
‘Charles Harmsworth.’
‘Hold on. I’ll look up the passenger list.’
Frank scanned the names on the passenger list. ‘Here we are, John, he’s booked to leave for Melbourne at 3 pm today.’
‘Thank you, Frank, much appreciated; I should be able to catch him before he leaves.’
‘My pleasure, and by the way, let’s have a game soon. I’d like the opportunity to win back some of the money you won from me last time we played.’
‘Yes, let’s organise something soon.’
John walked briskly to The Golden Nugget. ‘Mathew, may I have some of your time please?’
Mathew was at the front desk checking the hotel register.
‘Hello John, yes, certainly; come into my office.’
‘I’ve discovered that Harmsworth is due to depart Ballarat by Cobb & Co coach at 3 pm.’
‘Good work! We need to move quickly. Come up to my apartment. I have our disguises ready.’
The two novice bushrangers climbed the stairs to Mathew’s suite. The wigs and clothes were laid out on a Chesterfield lounge.
‘Try this wig, John. It needs to fit your head tightly. We don’t want it falling off while we are in the middle of our dastardly deed.’
John placed the long brown wig made from human hair on his head and shook it furiously; it stayed on.
‘You look rather pretty mate. Now, I’ve created a pair of breasts for each of us to wear.’
Mathew had two tin bowls which he had drilled holes on either side so that a thin rope could pass through and tied at the back. When a shirt was worn over them, they looked like a fine pair of breasts.
Mathew opened his safe and withdrew the wooden box with the two Hollis & Sheath pistols his father had given him. He ensured both were loaded and had sufficient ammunition for the mission.
The two men placed their disguises and weapons in a bag and headed for the stables where their steeds were waiting.
2 pm
Mathew and John had decided on a secluded part of the Melbourne Road about ten miles out of Ballarat. It was heavily wooded, which would allow them to remain out of sight until the last minute.
They arrived at the site at 4 pm estimating the coach would arrive at 5 pm. This gave them plenty of time to get into their disguises, including tin breasts and long wigs. They intended to wear hats and a bandanna as a mask. By the time they dressed, they did look like a couple of female bushrangers.
Mathew decided John had the more convincing female voice. Therefore, it would be John who would do the talking.
They sat on the old log they intended to block the coach with and waited nervously. They knew if things didn’t go to plan they could be arrested or worse still, shot and killed.
‘John, I think I can hear the coach. Quick, mount up and draw your pistol.’
‘This is it, Mathew, good luck mate.’
‘You too John.’
The Cobb & Co coach came into view and the two bushrangers rode into the middle of the road, pistols drawn.
‘Stop, nobody move, or you’ll be shot!’ yelled John.
The coach driver pulled his horses to an abrupt halt and put his hands in the air as did the co-driver.
‘Everybody out of the coach.’
Eight passengers got out including Charles Harmsworth who stood there glaring at the two female outlaws.
‘You in the fancy vest, come here.’
Harmsworth slowly walked forward standing in front of the two women.
‘Give me your wallet please.’
Harmsworth was surprised by the politeness of the demand. He handed the bushranger his wallet.
John handed it to Mathew, who counted the notes, £200.
‘Which suitcase is yours?’
‘You work it out,’ he said defiantly.
Mathew fired his pistol, narrowly missing the gambler’s right foot.
‘Cooperate, or she’ll shoot you where it hurts.’
‘All right, it’s the red one.’
‘I should have guessed.’
Mathew grabbed the suitcase and opened it on the road, while John kept his pistol aimed at the group.
‘Well, look at this, a suitcase full of £20 notes. That’s an awful lot of money to be carrying around in your luggage.’
‘I don’t think we need any more loot than this, Betsy. Let’s get out of here.’
The two bushrangers mounted their horses but before they rode off, John addressed the victims. ‘You can tell everybody you were bailed up by the Banshees.’
They then rode at full gallop away from Ballarat to confuse the onlookers.
A couple of miles down the road, they stopped and hid in the bush until they saw the coach pass. They then returned to Ballarat, taking off their wigs and female attire before returning to the hotel.
Once safely in Mathew’s suite, they opened the case and began the pleasant task of counting the money. The total amount was £7,467 a significant haul for their first heist. Mathew counted out £6233 and handed the bundle to John.
‘So, John, you have your £5,000 Harmsworth stole plus an additional £1233 which is your share of the booty. What are you going to do with all that money?’
‘My big loss last night would be known by everyone in the town by now. If I turn up to the next game with plenty of dosh, it could arouse suspicion.’
‘I think you’re right. John, may I make a suggestion?’
‘Of course, what is it?’
‘The hotel turns over a significant amount of money each week. If I hold your cash and bank it then feed it to you
