Thomas Curnow re Kelly's attempt to ambush police Thomas Curnow re Kelly's attempt to ambush police

they had no business accompanying the Police. The outlaws affirmed that they were justified in doing this. On hearing their intentions I determined that if I could by any means whatever baulk their designs and prevent such a sacrifice of human life, I would do so. This purpose governed the whole of my sayings and doings while I was with the outlaws. On reflection I thought it best to inspire them with confidence in my sympathising heartily with them, and, if I could do this, I though that they would allow me enough liberty to be able to do something to frustrate their intentions. In the early part of the afternoon, the outlaws proposed a dance, and came and asked me to join in it. I objected, on the ground of having on nailed boots, when the thought flashed through my mind that if I could induce Ned Kelly to accompany me to the school for a pair of dancing boots, on the journey there in passing the Police Barracks, Bracken, the trooper stationed there, might see him and would be able to give an alarm. I felt sure that as Bracken had been stationed at Greta he would know him. So I said to Ned Kelly after being pressed to dance that I would do so with pleasure if he would accompany me to my home for a pair of dancing boots, He agreed quite readily to go with me, and we were getting ready when Dan Kelly interfered and said that Ned Kelly had better stay behind and let him or Byrnes accompany me. Some one else also urged Ned Kelly to stay back, and