That was interesting, Horrie. I found a couple of coins so I'm an experienced fossicker now. It's getting late so we better find a good campsite. Since I'm new at this fossicking thing, I'll let y'all pick a site.
We had just set up camp Horrie found for us for the nite when the evening solitude was disturbed by the sounds of a on going car horn as a souped up Holden Commodor came into view spewing red dust from its wheels and then came to a sudden stop some 100 metres from our tents. Immediately Horrie and Rabbit sensed danger and collected their rifles to have at the ready if needed. Two young scruffy looking men and a blonde woman alited from the car and headed for our camp. "What do we have here now.. one of the men said as he lit a cigarette...
'Gday' said Horrie half looking at his rifle slung on his arm and pointed to the ground. 'Rabbits, foxes and feral cats; we're just stopping for the night, and then off South into the Yalgoo hills to try our luck with fossicking. What about yourselves? Looks like you're from Geralton by your number plate. Don't get lost around here, it's a maze and the tracks worsen the more south you go. Just saying.'
The tall one with scraggly long dark hair and a scrawny physique that screamed out malnutrition moved a pace s closer to rabbit and Horrie then said in a deep voice," We got into some trouble outside of Perth so now we need a place to make ourselves scarce while the heat cools'.. Rabbit lifted his rifle from his shoulder. ' We dont want trouble sport, so how about skidaddling.' 'Hey man dont get me wrong. We are not criminals. The whole thing was a misunderstanding. We tried explaining that to the hiway patrol cop but he wouldn't listen. We managed to overpower him, hand cuffed him to his bumper bar, then tossed his car keys into some bushes and took off.' 'That was real smart.. now you are fugitives from the law," replied Rabbit. Then Horrie chipped in "I suggest you keep on going and if we see any cop cars we will tell them we saw a car similar to yours heading in a different direction to where you actually were heading. Ok" 'Thanks man we really appreciate that,' said the pretty blonde and dragged her boyfriend back to their car. The engine powered into life and the Commodore sped off in the direction of Kalgoolie.. leaving a trail of red dust in its wake......
Well handled Rabbit. So do we phone the cops and let them know they're headed to Kalgoorlie? I think we should. Assaulting a Police officer and tying him up is a serious offence. Let them plead their so called innocence to the Magistrate. I could use my satellite phone to contact the Police in Mount Magnet, Yalgoo, Kalgoorlie and Geralton right now with their descriptions, car make and rego. It'll take them at least 5 hours to get back to the bitumen, if they don't get lost. We are also morally bound to let the Police know about their tied up Officer. What say you Sadie?
I don’t like they way that scraggly, scrawny bogan kept looking at me. I think he has had a carton. He seemed pissed. Their story smells a bit iffy to me. I think we should call the coppers and find somewhere to take cover until they get here. Are all our guns fully loaded? We may need to defend ourselves.
I am out voted so go ahead Horrie call the cops. But if this backfires on us.. I know who to blame and I'll be spitting chips......
Fair enough Rabbit, I'll take the heat. I'm good mates with the Yalgoo cops and am a law abiding guy. I may not be tall but am stocky, fit and a good boxer. Yes, I am bald too but have a thick skull. That stick of a young guy wouldn't last a round against me, and we have guns. I've even got a shot gun for poisonous snakes that don't slither away, like aggressive tiger snakes. You can borrow that if they return Sadie. It's hard to miss with it. I'll get on the phone now then. Sargeant Hugh of Yalgoo town said thanks and would put out the alerts. He said the tied up officer was freed by a good Samaritan and the run away pair are wanted for a home invasion burglary with violence. They beat up an old lady who is now in hospital with a fractured eye socket. Some misunderstanding my foot! The car was stolen too!
Meanwhile down the road a ways, the terrible trio had stopped and were talking. The scrawny one appeared to be the leader. (Jake) The woman was his wazza. (Dolly) The short fat one with the missing teeth…. Well, let’s call him Toothless. Jake lit a ciggy, squinted his eyes and said, “Did y’all see the jugs on that Sheila? I’d like to get in her knickers.” Dolly spit on the ground and said, “Buckley’s Chance of a root rat like you getting that!” Toothless grinned his toothless grin and said, “We could go back and kill the men and take turns with the Shelia.” “By crikey! Let’s do that!” Jake bleated. They jumped back in their Holden Commodor and sped back toward us.
Horrie and Rabbit did not come down in the last shower so when that heard the police report about the three fugitives and that two Yalgoo cops were on their way they dug a fox hole in the hard sand covered it with a piece of tarp with rifles ready and waited either for the crooks or the cops. In any case they were not going to be trapped with their pants down. The three did not have to wait long before they heard the engine of a powerful vehicle approaching them. It stopped then there was talking before they heard "is there a Horrie here.. Yalgoo Police we talked on the fone"......
Peeping out of the foxhole Horrie saw the familiar sight of the Yalgoo Police 4wd with its lights flashing. As Horrie climbed out he waved to the two Officers Tom and Jack he knows well. "I reckon they must have hidden seeing your police lights guys, and they didn't come back this way. Goodness knows where they are now, but thanks for coming." Tom said 'Sargeant Hugh is watching the main track out of the area where it hits the bitumen road. Also 2 police cars are coming from Mount Magnet and one from Geraldton to watch that way.' "That's great work guys" said Sadie. 'Park your vehicle' said Rabbit and have a cuppa; the billy's hot.' "And turn your lights off?" suggested Horrie.
The criminals know their way around these parts. There are a lot of old abandoned mines. Their hide out may be in one of those mines. Rabbit, you have traveled this area extensively, haven’t you? Do you know of any mine that could be used by them? We may be able to help the police locate them. Officer Tom, is there a reward for their capture?
Actually Ms Smith I do not know this area well but Horrie sure does living nearby at Yalgoo. Any abandoned mines these low lifes may use as a hideout Horrie? Apart from the one you and tourists use.
Horrie pulls out his detailed map of the region and points out three old mines they could have driven their car into, one being close by. Maybe this one suggests Horrie? 'Shall we have a look, it's not far and just off the main track. The moon's out so let's drive with our lights off to surprise them. Jump in my 4wd Sadie and Rabbit, dogs too, and I'll lead with officers Tom and Jack following in their police 4wd. Dopey buggers probably have lights on so look for a glow coming from the mine entrance. Ah, see there it is down the hill and glowing. Lets coast quietly down the hill with lights and engines off. You best lead now Senior Constable Tom' says Horrie over the radio.
Senior Constable Tom and his men stopped just outside the mine. He spoke through his megaphone, “This is the law! We have you surrounded. Come out with your hands up.” Everyone turned on their headlights at the same time. The fugitives saw that they were outnumbered and surrendered without resisting. “Thank you for your help, Ms. Sadie, Rabbit, and Horrie” said Senior Constable Tom. “These three will be going to prison for a long time.” So we prepared to settle down for another night. “Horrie, will you cook us some supper?” All this excitement has given me a good appetite.”