Females to the rescue – a rcount by Ellen Clacy – a woman in the gold fields by Angelique Preau
On their return journey to Melbourne, Ellen’s digging party was lured into a trap by bushrangers, pretending to be victims of bushrangers themselves. As the digging party worked to free two men, supposedly tied by bushrangers, Ellen and Jessie, an orphan girl the digging party had taken in, were standing to the side "spellbound by the incident, and incapable of rendering any assistance". When the men tied to the tree were freed, four well-armed men appeared out of the bushes and overwhelmed the digging party. "It was a fearful sight, and I can hardly describe my feelings as I witnessed it. My brain seemed on fire, the trees appeared to reel around me, when a cold touch acted as a sudden restorative, and almost forced a scream from my lips. It was Jessie’s hand, cold as marble, touching mine. We spoke together in a low whisper, and both seem inspired by the same thoughts, the same hope.” Ellen wrote. Jessie and Ellen crept from the scene to a small hill that commanded a view of the Black Forest. From the sound of voices they concluded that the bushrangers were leading their men back to the spot they had camped that night.
"Jessie seemed listening intently. The time she had spent in the bush and at the diggings had wonderfully refined her sense of hearing. Suddenly she gave a shrill ‘coo-ey’. The moment after a shot was fired in the direction of our late camp. Jessie turned even paler, but recovering herself, ‘coo-ey’ after ‘coo-ey’ made the echoes ring. I joined my feeble efforts to hers but she was evidently well used to this peculiar call. On a fine still day, this cry will reach for full three miles, and we counted upon this fact for obtaining some assistance. “Help is coming" said Jessie, in a low voice, and once more with increasing strength she gave her call. Footsteps approached nearer and nearer. I looked up, almost expecting to see those villainous appearances again. “Women in danger!” shouted a manly voice, and several strong and stout figures bounded to our side.” wrote Ellen. Ellen writes that she hardly remembers what happened after that, she was so dizzy with relief, only that shots were fired at retreating bushrangers and her brother and friends were safe and free.