“Buckley we require your help,” said Ned. “What is it you ask of me? replied Buckley. Ned explained that they needed a way to prevent the police from being alerted to their presence in Euroa, and the only way to do that was to cut the telegraph wires on both sides of town. Buckley, Ned and Joe set out first to the east, then to the western sides of Euroa where, a mile outside of the town, Buckley pushed over a number of telegraph poles whilst Joe and Ned set about cutting the wires with the bolt cutters. Ned and Joe were meticulous planners and had thought of everything, ensuring that they destroyed more wire than the railroad repair teams would carry. Unfortunately they had not accounted for the four railway workers who arrived on the scene to challenge them about their destructive activities. “Oy! What do you think you are you doing!?” demanded one of the men. “Just chopping some fire wood,” replied Joe with a wry smile. “Well you can tell that to the constables,” answered one of the men. There was a clicking sound as Ned pulled back the hammer of his revolver. “Now there’s no need to bother them now is there?” Ned responded. The four men instinctively threw their arms above their heads. “You’re Ned Kelly aren’t you?” asked one of the men. “It appears that my fame precedes me,” replied Ned, “now, be good lads and go along with this fine fella”. Ned beckoned Buckley over. “Buckley will you be very kind and take these fellows to the station please?” asked Ned. “Certainly, this way gentlemen,” said Buckley pointing them in the direction of the station at Faithful’s Creek. The four men, stunned at the sight of the tall Yowie, obeyed his directions without question. Just as they were about to be led away Ned leaned in to the men and said in a quiet voice, “Now, mind, he appears a kindly fellow, but he is fast on his feet and very partial to human flesh, so be good”. If the men had had any thoughts of escape, they harboured no such ideas now. “You’re a cheeky so and so Ned,” laughed Joe, “it was all I could do to stop myself laughing”.

Buckley the Yowie and the Legend of Ned Kelly