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vigourously [sic] under the able managment of Captain Osborne.
On the 17th instant, Mr. William Gibson was camped with his drays on the Connor River, between Collaroy Station and Candown, some of the bullocks had gone back to Collaroy, which the bullock driver went after, leaving Mr. Gibson alone. Shortly after he walked down towards the river as he could not see all the bullocks, when close to the banks, which are very scrubby, a mob of blacks suddenly rushed rushed [sic] out, sending a shower of nulla- nullas, paddy-melon sticks, and boomerangs at Mr. Gibson, giving a tremendous war whoop at the time. Mr. Gibson had just time to throw himself flat, and just escaped being hit by a boomerang which went through the rim of his hat. A black immediately rushed at him, and Mr. Gibson just got up in time, when the blackfellow caught him by the arms, but before he could throw him, Gibson got his revolver and shot him through the body, he then fired three shots at the others, he does not know if he hit any. At any rate it had the effect of checking them. Gibson then dashed into a small scrub, made a short turn and got out of sight, then ran for Collaroy, the blacks after him. The short turn in the scrub, however, checked them for a moment, and gave Gibson a start. They were, however, soon after him, he found that he could keep well ahead, except one fellow who appeared to gain upon him, so he stopped, wheeled round [sic], and fired the last shot in his revolver, fortunately hitting the black in the ribs, which stopped him, and then succeeded in getting off his boots; the other blacks followed for a short distance, but as they could not overtake the fugitive, and they were getting close to the station, the pursuit was abandoned. Mr. Gibson, throughout, showed great pluck. There is no doubt that if he had missed the last shot, he would have been murdered.