Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/73

 attaining, in the end, the honour of the gallows.

Whilst still obscure, and when on a reconnoitring expedition to Messrs. Greenwood’s house at Purau, Blue Cap passed a night at my father’s house. Instinctively my mother so disliked and distrusted the man that she would not permit my father to leave the house until after the departure of the undesirable guest next morning for Akaroa. Arriving there he confided to his “pals” that a splendid haul could be made at Hay’s place, for he had kept his eyes open whilst in the house, and had got much information and many inklings. Having matured their plans, all three embarked in a whaleboat, and, coming round the Peninsula, arrived at Pigeon Bay on a Saturday afternoon, and camped near Annandale House, my mother actually giving them a supply of milk and hot water for tea. As Blue Cap afterwards confessed, he had arranged to rob Annandale on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning. That he did not do so was due to the advent of four stalwart young Scotchmen who were accustomed to spend their week-ends at Annandale. Blue Cap’s discretion in abandoning his designs on this