ly to leave such impressions in my mind as I would probably regret
for the rest of my life. However, it had to be done. I was up early after
a sleepless and restless night, and then walked to the jail. I arrived at
the big entrance gates, the sad and solemn entrance to the
forbidding-looking building, about ten minutes to eight in the morning.
Around those gates a large crowd had congregated.

There was not a sound to be heard from that crowd. There was dead
silence. I made my way to those big entrance gates. A small wicket gate
with a bell-rope attached was in front of me. I pulled the bell-rope. The
little door was quietly opened. Just at the moment a cab arrived, and
three men stepped out. Naturally thinking they were officials connected
with the execution, I stood aside to let them pass through the little
door. I noticed that one of them seemed to be somewhat under the
influence of drink. They passed on into the confines of the jail. I then
asked the gatekeeper who those men were. He said, "That one is the
hangman." He was the one whom I had noticed. My wish, or my intention
rather, to step inside those gates vanished. I thanked the gatekeeper and
told him that I would not trouble him to let me through. The little door
was then shut, and I was more than glad to remain outside. I became one
of that silent crowd who waited outside the gates. It was some twenty
minutes afterwards that the black flag was hoisted on the building. The
full penalty of the law had been paid by Ned Kelly.

I dare say many of those who read this may have seen exhibited the iron
case which Kelly wore over his head at the time of his capture, and on
which the dents of two or three bullets which had struck it when he had
been captured were plainly visible.

I had now been, as you see, really hard at work for over two months, so I
thought I was entitled to a holiday; for there appeared to be no
probability of the appointment for which I was waiting being made just
then.

It was Christmas time, very hot, so the seaside was the place to go to,
and I selected Geelong--why, I know not. I was there but a few days when
I was introduced to some residents whose business was that of wool
broking. We had several mutual friends.

I had told them that I had not been very successful in my business
enterprises, and after two or three days they were good enough to offer
me a position in their offices. I thanked them very much and left
Geelong, as I was afr