On the 25th January, 1843, the sheep at a station of Mr.Hughes, upon the Hutt river, had been scattered during the night, and some of them were missing.

It was concluded the natives had been there, and taken them, as the tracks of naked feet were said to have been found near the folds.

Upon these grounds two of Mr.Hughes' men, and one belonging to Mr.Jacobs, another settler in the neighbourhood, took arms, and went out to search for the natives.

About a mile from the station they met with one native and his wife, whom they asked to accompany them back to the station, promising bread and flour for so doing.

They consented to go, but were then escorted AS PRISONERS, the two men of Mr.Hughes' guarding the male native, and Mr.Jacobs' servant (a person named Gregory) the female.
Naturally alarmed at the predicament they were in, the man ran off, pursued by his two guards, but escaped.