Pittston Gazette

              Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 27, 1896. It Weekly Local and Fam If Journal. r-ffi Ovists ' ' ' cwyaiONT IBM •» rue author. sense, and eacn made his cnoico 01 occupation. The government sent cloth and leather with each ship to be worked up, and the carpenter work, blacksmithing, etc., were for the benefit of the craft herself. tbe lips and presently said m a coaxing way: would fill his head with plans of revolt afterward secured went to show that not one single pint of rum was served out, although there were 80 barrels of it on board. On making the coast the Albatross was run into a river and put up it for a distance of ten miles. The people then landed, removed everything froip the ship and burned her. The plan was to journey far inland and found a settlement, but discussions begot dissensions, and the crowd finally split up into five or six parties and went their respective ways. An English man-ofwar, after long search, reoaptured five men and three women, while four other men and two women reached St. Paul de Loanda and gave themselves up. The fate of the others is uotjaiown to this day. six reliows two dozen on the bare DacK, and because I tried to swear your Ule away. That's all, and while I know yon can't forgive me as a man, I do hope you may find it in your heart to give mo a show as a convict under sentence for life and never to see his native country again." ty such as a competei i;ui ,_i .C«D». :d not have permitted it was hoped we might get through. It was aJl settled before we sighted Table mountain that no one ashofe should get the slightest inkling that everything with us was not as we could wish for. "Come, now, but I want 110 trouble with you. Return to your work or I fihall have to call the captain." ordered Captuin Hodgson, CHAPTER VH TIIK FATE OF THE ALBATROSS. A file of marines was sent aboard of us, as also a boatswain's mate to wield the cat, and one after another the conspirators were seized up to the grating and given his allowance. Hooper broke down and cried for mercy and acted tho part of a craven, bat all the others were rather defiant. Bon Johnson was the fourth man seized up. As they were making him secure he turned to me and said: When we had been a few weeks at sea, there was much to commend and very little to find fault with. I stated in a previous chapter that no batch of convicts had ever mutinied until after leaviug the cape of Good Hope. The reason for this will be apparent if you consult your map. In running to the south every craft was in the great highway. Had the convicts got possession of a ship there were no uninhabited islands for a refuge. Had they landed anywhere on the west coast of Africa, the savage natives would have snapped them up The hour of peril had come when a craft was approaching the Australian coast If the convicts got possession, they could either land on the great island or sail to the north and find innumerable small islands to offer them shelter. By this time I had been made aware of the situation and at once advanced upon the pair. Two of the sailors had seized muskets from the rack at the mainmast and also advanced. PASSENGERS AND GUARDS. As tire passengers and guards were all brought into the great trouble which ultimately fell upon the Hindu, tbe reader should at least be to them. The one single man was named Haskell, fie was about 22 years of age, and a farmer by oocupation. I at first took him for a stupid lout, and all others were inclined to make him a butt of ridicule, bnt you will see that his looks belied him. There wore four married couples—Williams, Roberta, Saundera and Smith. Williams, as you know, was Mary's father. The others I knew nothing about, except they were fair to do people who were going out to the Colony in hopes to better themselves. The two single women had been servants in England and were Miss Foster and Miss White. There were thus 12 adults, while Roberts had two children, Smith three and Saunders one, making up 6 more, or 18 passengers in all. CHAPTER VI You will want to know what impression his penitence made on me. Sailors are neither hard hearted nor oversuspicious a* a class, but I should have had a more favorable opinion of Ben Johnson and my mind would also have been easier about things below deck had he not sought the interview. As a matter of fact I did not believe a word he said. His past career, his present demeanor, the very tone in which he spoke, made me doubtful of his sincerity. No man can point me out a case where villainy has been whipped out of a man's heart through his hide. I was satisfied that the man was playing a part which would come to the surface later on, and his promises and protestations did not cause me to relax my vigilance one jot. The man Thomas left us here, and we felt it necessary to get a man iu his place. This duty was left to me, and I set about it with the resolve to make no mistake. There were 50 sailors in Cape Town anxious to ship, and after looking them all over I selected a man about 80 years old named Samuel York. He was an American and had been third mate of a whaling ship. Owing to a misunderstanding with his captain, which he explained to his own benefit, he had quit the ship when she pnt in at the Gape. I sized him up to be a high spirited but very decent fellow, and my judgment was afterward confirmed by Captain Clark. "What's wrong here?" I demanded as I came to a stop at the workbench. "He refuses to go on with his work," replied the doctor. "Is it so?" I asked of Johnson. "All I wanted to get possession of the ship for was that I might settle with you and Mary. It's your turn now, but mine is certain to coma" "No," replied the man after a few seconds' hesitation. "I've changed my mind on that score." newspapers. The men who had secured the appointment for the doctor were people of great influence. In defending themselves they would attack us, and instead of our doctor being replaced our profitable charter would doubtless be canceled, and we would be put to a considerable loss. We could only say of the doctor that he was yo»ng and did not "What's that! What's that!" demanded Captain Hodgson as tho words reached his ear. "Ho threatens, does he! Bo'sun, give him an extra dozen well laid on." CHAPTER V. THE SHIP'S DOCTOR. He picked up his plane and resumed work, and that was the end of it—that is, he had accomplished his purpose. He had tested the doctor and found him lacking in courage. The right sort of a man would have called for guards and irons and had Johnson's back bared to the lash in 110 time. Dr. Haxton flattered himself that ho had overawed tbe convict, but I caught a smile on Johnson's face, which plainly exhibited his contempt for the man's want of nerve. It was thereafter settled in his mind and in the minds of all the other convicts that nothing was to be feared from the doctor, The affair had to be passed over, but there was a note of warning in it It was begun and ended in a minute, and only three or four of the passengers happened to be on deck at the time. One of these was Haskell, though I had not noticed him. Half an hour later he found opportunity to say to me: In every ship sent out with oonvicta tho prisoners were under the charge of the doctor sent along at government expense. His authority was supreme. He represented the government. We of the Hindu did not catch sight of our doctor until tho last moment before sailing, and the sight of him gave us a suprrise. Many of the passengers heard the story told by Thomas, and most of the particulars somehow reached the convicts within two or three days. We oould not fail to perceive a change in their demeanor, and that change was something to increase our burden of anxiety. All convicts look upon themselves as victims or martyrs. No batch of men ever sent out were receiving better treatment than ours. Instead of the doctor being too severe, he was altogether too lenient. The convicts made themselves believe, however, that they were being badly used. Three days after Thomas came aboard they made a formal protest that they were overworked. The doctor, acting on the advice of the captain, refused to take any action. As a matter of fact, the convicts were not busy half the time. Two days later they made protest that their food was not only bad, but insufficient in quantity. The provisions furnished by the government were wholesome, and no real fault could be found with the cooks. CHAPTER VIII. HOW MATTERS IMPROVED. York at first flatly and indignantly refused to take the place, as I rather expected he would, the pay being small and the occupation one which a true sailor considered degrading, but after giving the subject a day s refioction he decided to accept. He put it on the ground that he stood a better chance of getting a ship at Sydney or Melbourne than at Cape Town. In taking that man aboard I was making a mistake which I should never cease to regret, but when one acts according to his beet judgment you can expect no more. I may tell you here that York deliberately lied to me, knowing that the chances of exposure were very slim. He had been third mate of a whaler, but had been broken and set ashore for insubordination. While we took every precaution from the very beginning of the voyage, we nevertheless depended in a measure on the facts above stated. After awhile the convicts appeared to steady clown and be desirous of making good records, and the behavior of the guards was all thai could be asked for. For a month or more I had kept close watch of the fom men previously alluded to, but nothing had occurred to make me doubt their loyalty. Haskell had been allowed to saunter about as he pleased, and whenever an extra guard was wanted he was always on hand, but none of his reports as to tho conduct of guards or prisoners was calculated to cause any particular The man-of-war remained with us until the cages were made secure, and when ready to resume her voyage Hooper, Larkins and Green wore ordered aboard to be landed in England. They Made no objections, knowing that we could clap them in irons if they remained on the bark. There wasn't the slightest doubt that they had shipped for the purpose of liberating the prisoners, but there were reasons why we wished to be rid of them as quietly as possible. If I have given you the idea that I was carrying most of the burden on my shoulders, let me explain that as mate of the ship my rcjgppnsibilitiea were not confined to cartf x for the craft during my watch. Knowing as we did that the doctor was not to be fully trusted, I had in his direotion. It would declare hiin medical way, and tt be picked up in a day qD two. Iu a talk of 20 minutes  the captain that our best plan was to hold right on and come to the assistance of the doctor. We were to touch at the cape of Good Hope. If he proved incompetent, we could enter protest there. There were many instances where convicts had rebelled and captured the ships, but in no case was it previous to reaching the Cape. We might reasonably eouclude that wo would be safe up to ihat time even if the doctor did not turn out to be the man for the place. Therefore, instead of our voyage ending as soon as it had began, Captain Clark knocked at the door of the doctor's stateroom and said to the young man, who had already begun to pack up his things: know how to take h friends "Why, Ralph, the authorities most be blind or crazy to send such a man along with a gang like this," growled Captain Clark after the man Imd introduced himself and walked away. • ma e could The names of the seven guards were Hooper, Larkins, Green, Tobias, Richmond, Tannehill and Martin. All were English or American, and all claimed to be men out of work and at least semirespectable. Hooper was the ex-sergeant and in chargc of the gang. He was better dressed than the others and was likewise a keen, sharp looking man. I can't say that I mistrusted the man from the outset, but after reading the anonymous note handed aboard by strange hands I looked over the seven and made up my mind that Hooper was the man to keep an eye on. He had a great gift of gab, as I soon discovered, and his position would likewise give him a certain influence. He was a young man, not over two and twenty, a medical student, or just graduated, and we marked him down at once for a man without any spirit I may as well tell you that he had seonred the place through the influenoe of relatives, and that he had but a faint Idea of the burdens awl responsibilities of the position. He ha$ had «ome little medical practice in tho charity hospitals and had perhaps been told that all he would have to do on shipboard would be to prescribe epsorn salts or blue mass and see that the convicts swallowed the same. to hare an eve ou It was lucky for us that Captain Hodgson of the man-of-war was an exception to the average. By straining a point he could have taken charge of the Hindu and returned us to England, and that would have meant financial ruin to the ownera He was satisfied, however, that the summary punishment meted out to- the four men, together with the removal of the confederates named, would put an end to our troubles. He hauled Dr. Haxton ovor the coals pretty severely, had a sharp word for the remainder of the guards and our crew, and when the Hindu resumed her course officers and passengers felt greatly relieved. I cannot say that the punishment of the ringleaders had a moral effect on either the punished or those who looked on and feared to get the same dose. You cannot better the nature of a criminal by any form of corporal punishment We did not hope for that The object was to cow them, and this was fully accomplished. Even Ben Johnson, who had received a double dose, and who must have felt the disgrace keenly, acted like a totally different man. "I suppose you oould depend on the guards in case of trouble with the prisoners?"One morning, as we were holding our course with a fair wind, we rose an indiaman coining up from the south, and two hours later she signaled that she wished to speak us. The Hindu was lying to when she came up. The gang of convicts on deck was ordered below, but we were flying the flag which told every beholder what sort of a cargo we carried. The Indiaman proved to be the Black Prince, a regular liner, homeward bound, and she dropped a boat and sent her mate aboard. His errand was to see if we could give passage to the Cape to a man named Thomas, who had been picked up at sea two days before while drifting on a raft He said that Thomas was an Englishman who had been wrecked on a voyage to the Cape and was very desirous of continuing the run in thnt. direction The mate whi in n great hurry, as his ship had been delayed by bead winds, and he did not go into particulars. Captain Clark decided that we would take Thomas, and a quarter of an hour later he was on board and the respective crafts swinging their yards to resume their voyage. anxiety. "I hope so," I replied. "I was wondering a bit," he Baid as he looked around in a stupid way. Soon after landing be had engaged in a quarrel and had been oat of jail only-a day when I came across him. In accepting the position be bad a plan in view. Ben Johnson had acted as spokesman in both instances. Mo other ship's doctor would have allowed him to open his mouth. On the second occasion Dr. Haxton, who had been coached by the captain, made reply: "Did you notice anything peculiar?" "It might bo peculiar and it might not. I happened to be looking at Hooper, and I saw him wink at Johnson as you started to come forward. What's the good of the muskets without caps on the nipples?" Before leaving the Cape the iron cages were carefully inspected and thoroughly overhauled and a close search made of the prisoners. Each convict was interrogated and examined as to his state of health, and not one of them had a complaint to make. A first class Indiaman could not have shown a cleaner bill of health. No convict ship ever resumed her voyage under more favorable auspices, and for a week I was almost care free. During this time I had kept a pretty close watch on the new guard, York, as I was in dnty bound to do, but I had seen nothing to find fault with. He was cheerful, obedient and apparently vigilant, and no more could be asked for. The first thing to excite my suspicion, or I may better say my curiosity, was in bis asking Haskell for oui latitude and longitude and afterward consulting a chart of the Indian ocean which he had brought aboard with his dunnage. After the noon observation had been worked out we made no secret of it among the passengers, several of whom had charts and were keeping the ran of the ship Had York asked me for the position and told me he was pricking off the ran for bis own satisfaction I should have thought nothing strange about it, for he was an intelligent man, and I had an idea that he understood navigation fairly welL His sailor instinct as well as a desire to post himself was excuse enough. He had asked Haskell in a confidential way to give him the figures, and he had consulted his chart in a secret manner. "Why, we'll have a row before we are fairly clear of the land," continued the captain, who had pretty thoroughly posted himself as to matters aboard of a convict ship while we were fitting out. "I'm a good mind to cast off, come to anchor aud demand that lie be replaced by an old hand." "While I hold to it that you should never have been sent aboard to fill such a responsible position, it is just possible that you may turn out all right I have decided to continue the voyage, and if you bestir yourself and take hold with spirit I am bound to give you all assistance asked for." Very little occurs on board a ship, no matter how large she is or how many passengers she carries, which does not become common talk within a few hours. The doctor's incompetency leaked out after two or three days, as also did the fact of Captain Clark taking charge of the convicts. The punishment of the two prisoners was a public affair and witnessed by all except the women and children. These things, as yon may suspect, created no little anxiety among the passengers, and we had only been five days out when they drew up and signed a paper requesting the captain to return to port, declaring their belief that their lives would be imperiled by an outbreak before the bark had been a fortnight at sea "I have seen fit to overlook this breach of discipline, but don't try it again. The next protest you present will bring you a round dozen on the bare back." "What do you mean?" "I mean that I took notice of four muskets which could not have been fired if there was need of it." I protested against such a step, arguing that the authorities knew their business and must have confidence in the man they bad put aboard; but, to tell you the truth, I had little faith in my own words. Supper was the first meal to be served to the convicts. We had a double galley on deck, with two cooks, and the convicts werC' to bo supplied with governl&ent prov V,ons It was for the doctor to see that things wen* properly cookcd, to Ket the hours for the meals and to take general charge of the provisions while on deck. The cages, as I have told you, were built one in rear of the other, beginning at the fo'castle bulkhead. The gangs of convicts were numbered 1, 2 and 8, and each had its captain or boss. Every man was supplied with a tin plate and cupu The first gang to come up was No. 1. A ladder which was kept on deck when not in use was let down through the forebatch into a space between the first two cages. Two men stood there with muskets, and the doctor unlocked the door and called to the men to come out in line, beaded by their captain. As they passed up they marched to the galley, placed cup and plate on a shelf outside of a sliding window, and the cook gave them their food and drink. Then the line marched aronnd the galley and descended to its cage to eat the meal. Thus only one gang was on deck at a tima Haxton's mind was greatly relieved, and he at once set afeput it to post himself as to what bin|if|ieg were. Things looked much brifpHnfter that talk, though it did ncftaHHph our doubts and fears. Next we were fairly at sea, Dr. Haxtoh appointed captains for the gangs, began to plan work for them en voyage and bustle about in such a business way that he made a more favorable impression on crew and passengers. My curioeity as to what the convicts thought of him was soon satisfied. The bo'sun, whose name was Smith, was one of the crew sent below with the guards at noontime of our second day out IL overheard enough to convinoe bim that the convicts had sized the doctor up for a "soft mark," and that they were counting on having an easy time during the voyage. One could find proof in their demeanor as they came on deck. Each man had an impudent defiant swagger as he walked, and each seemed anxious to be guilty of some infraction of disciplina I had my eye out for Ben Johnson, and at the end of a couple of days I picked him for a ringleader. The deference shown him by the other convicts satisfied me that he had been selected as the ruler over all. Each captain of a gang had been selected by the doctor because of his short term aud his demeanor as a steady man, but tbo convicts had elected Ben Johnson to rule them because of his being the most fearless and desperate character among them. The seven guards did not have watch and watch with the sailors. During the day all were on duty, and at night two of them were posted below as sentinels and relieved by others every two hours. As soon as I could get a word with the doctor I told bim about the muskets. He went forward in a careless way and looked around and returned to report that every musket was properly capped. This did not lead me to argue that Haskell had been mistaken. On the contrary, I was satisfied that the caps had been slyly replaced w hen thers was no longer any danger. They could not have been removed by accident There was evidently an understanding between a portion of tbo guards that they would not firo upon the prisoners in case of an outbreak. I oarried the matter to the captain, as was my duty, and be was for raising a row at once. I argued with him that as we had no positive proofs the trap would be sprung too soon, and he finally gave in and agreed to play ? waiting game. That seemed to end the matter. The captain, the doctor and others were inclined to regard it as a game of bluff, but it struck me that the fellows gave in altogether too quick. My position as mate made it impossible for me to play the detective, but Haskell bad the run of the ship and kept his eyes and ears open. On the morning of the fifth day »fter Johnson had presented his second protest I came on deck at 4 o'clock in the morning. About an hour later, when the watch had settled down into the routine, Haskell came out of  cabin smoking a pipe and made excuse that be was troubled with insomnia. He soon let me know that he wanted a word with me in private. The bark was driving along before a steady breeze and needed little watching, and presently we got out of earshot of the helmsman. Then Haskell said: "I am. sorry for that." was one of my duties to make a dally inspection of the food furnished the convicts. I had to make a daily examination of the cages between decks. In company with the doctor I had to overseo the gangs while they were being bathed or washed down on deck. The government required daily reports from the ship's officers as well as the doctor on several matters. Then, you will remember, I was part owner of the bark and financially interested in the voyage, and you may guess the fact of Mary Williams being aboard did not Berve to lessen my anxieties. We had to have three guards in the place of those taken away, and Captain Clark arranged with Haskell, Thomas and Saunders to fill the places. Saunders was one of the four married men among the passengers, you will remember, while Thomas was the man we were returning to the Cape. I wish to give Dr. Haxton all possible credit, and therefore say that he made an earnest effort to do hia duty after we resumed our voyage. The trouble with him was that he was not the man for the place. He was not a good judge of human nature, and he lacked that force of character which compels respect and that courage which enforces obedience almost without command. The "influence" which forced him into the position should be held to account "What we shall do," replied Captain Clark, "will be to continue the voyage If we meet an inward bound ship and any of yon want to return, I will refund your passage money. While I acknowledge that the doctor is not the right man in the right place, be is doing better every day and will soon work into the harness. By the time we reach the Cape we shall have no fault to find with bim. As for the convicts, they have got a taste of what I am made of, and a few days hence will see them as mild as lambs. Aside from the perils of the sea, I guarantee to land every soul of you on Australian soil." It was midafternoon before we got Thomas' story, and it was one to deeply interest us. Only a few days before our sailing a ship called the Albatross had taken out a batch of about 200 convicts, half of whom were females. None of them was above common criminals, and for this reason they were not as carefully watched as they should have been. The ship carried only four passengers, all men, and of these Thomas was one. He had an uncle at the Cape and was going out in search of adventure. He felt certain there would have been no tronble with the prisoners but for the uncalled for measures enforced by the doctor. He overworked and underfed them and flogged men on tbe slightest pretext By the time the Albatross had left the Cape Verde islands behind her two-thirds of the men had been flogged and half tbe females had been punished in some other manner. . We had run south until off the Hotten- tot coast, carrying favorable winds and line weather and having no more trouble with onr convicts, when something like a tragedy happened one afternoon. The breeze died away soon after noon, leaving the ship lazily heaving on the ground swelL We had among the prisoners a young man named Edgar Davis. In ono way and another by that time I had come to know what particular crime most every one was guilty of. Davis' offense was passing a forged chock. He belonged to No. 2 gang, and 1 had picked him out from the first as being of the better class at home. When called upon to give his trade, he replied that he had none, being a salesman in a silk store for several years previous to his conviction. He stated that he was a good penman, however, and asked to be allowed some light work of that sort owing to his poor state of health. After a couple of weeks the doctor detailed him to fill out the various blanks required by the government, and later on I turned over a part of my work to him. Ho was a quiet spoken young man, and the three or four months he had been imprisoned had broken down his health. There was no doubt in hia own mind that consumption had a fast hold on him. "The three guards below will be relieved at 6 o'clock. At 7 o'clock four of them muster on deck to receive tho first gang, leaving threo below. The four on deck will bo re-enforced by two sailors, who will receive their muskets from Hooper." Now for the first time I began to size up each one of the guards. I had hired them all, and at the time they had struck me as being a very decent lot of men. As I looked them over now I wondered at my lack of perception. Aside from Larkins, who bad the cut of a cunning rascal, there were three men who had the hangdog look of villains. I couldn't bring myself to admit that I had ever engaged them, and after a little reflection I solved the puzzle. Three of the men I bad engaged had been replaced by these three, probably being paid to make the exchange I had engaged a one eyed man, for instance. I remembered that another had a long scar on bis cheek. A third bad fiery red hair and yellow front teeth. Not one of those men was on board, and yet others bad assumed their names. * There was some muttering and complaining, but the people soon came to think better of it, and thus the affair ended. From bis being in charge of tbe guard, Hooper had privileges not accorded to the others. The fact that be was Btrongly against tbe protest was brought to my attention. Ho bad a dozen arguments at his tongue's end to the captain's one. Indeed others besides myself remarked on bis oversea 1- ousness. One might argue from this that be bad no fear of tbe situation and was anxious that the voyage should not be interrupted, but I could not help ask myself if be bad not some other object in view. If he was the traitor referred to in the note, then to turn back would upset all his plana Tbe affair was soon over, however, and for three or four days everything ran smoothly. On tbe afternoon of the third day we sighted an inward bound craft, and Captain Clark went among tbe passengers to ask if any desired to be transshipped. No one wanted to go, and we dipped our flag in salute, asked to be reported and drove on. "Yes, that is tbe programme," I answered, but having no suspicion of what was coming. We had many days of fine weather after the man-of-war left us, and no convict ship ever held her course under more favorable auspices. It was during this period that I began to see more of Mary Williams. I have admitted that I had taken a great fancy to the girL You may even call it a case of love on my part, and I will not deny tho allegation. I was not so soft headed, however, as to flatter myself that I could win her in a week. Her parents felt grateful to me, and I knew that she shared in the feeling. Why not? I had helped to save her from lasting ignominy. This feeling of gratitude caused her to meet me in a friendly manner, and I compelled myself to be satisfied with that. Whenever circumstances would permit, I smoothed my path, as you might expect, and as any other man would, but I flatter myself that I used more diplomacy than many another sailor would in my position. "I don't like the man," continued Haskell after giving me the above information."Every sailor aboard is all right as far as I know," resumed Haskell. "You have spare muskets aft. When Hooper musters hiB guards on deck, you must bo ready to replace the four with sailors and see that their muskets are loaded. "It's bard to say, but the feeling ia here that he isn't dead right He asks a great many questions, bat never answers any. He's got a very sly way of pumping a man. He and I haven't taken to each other at all, but be has pumped the other guards and some of the sailors until he is posted on whatever has happened since we left the channel. He's done little else when off duty and not asleep but to ask questions. " "But why?" I queried. I am telling yon bow things went with a doctor who knew his business and how they did go with as after a time, bnt that first meal Bottled all doubts as to what sort of a man our doctor was. He had to call upon the captain to post him, and when he learned that he must go down and unlock the iron doors it was plain to see that he had no more nerve than a woman. I very much doubt if he would have put foot on the ladder if the second mate hadn't Bbown him the way and the captain given him a hard rub about his oowardioc. As I told you, we had seven regular guards. Had the doctor been the right sort of a man this force would have been sufficient. Knowing that the convicts would size him up tor a coward, the captain ordered two of the crew below with the guards and armed two more for the deck. When the crow of a convict ship betrays open sympathy for the prisoners because of the cruel treatment accorded rbcin, one most be satisfied that those in authority exceed the limits. Even •he guards on the Albatross condemned the tyrannical conduct of the doctor. As I have told you, they were offenders rather than criminals, and all had received short f-entences. They were sent out more as colonists, and each one would receive a ticket of leave after serving for six months or a year. It was not until the doctor had repeatedly announced that he would break the spirit of every one in the gang or flog him to death that the spirit of mutiny cropped out The position of the ship was to the south of St. Helena when the climax came. One of the women convicts had transgressed some rule, and the doctor ordered that she receive a dozen lashes. While he was making preparations the convicts rose as one man and had possession of the ship in five minutes. It was tho rule of all convict ships that the men should be employed during the voyage. It wasn't for the captain to Fay what they should do, but the matter was left entirely in tbe hands of tbe doctor. Dr. Ha i ton was not even posted as to this rule, but when the captain called his attention to it he went below to consult the convicts as to their avocations. A few of them had given these when convicted, and they were so marked on the list furnished by the prison authorities, but the greater number bad claimed to bave no trade whatever. The doctor could not (ail to see the contempt in which he was held when he called the roll of diffeient gangs and demanded individual occupations. "What particular thing does be seem most anxious to know about?" "Well, now that yon mention it, I think he's been quite concerned abont the firearms. Last night he was yarning to some of the sailors abont the gold diggings and wondering why they didn't cut sticks and make their fortunes. When they asked why he didn't fill his own pockets, he replied that he should leave for the mines as soon as the ship reached Sydney. I don't want to raise suspicions, Bir, but it looks a bit queer all around I'm never quite easy in my mind when it's hii turn below." I was now perfectly satisfied that a plot had been batched ashore lor the release of the convicts, nnd that at least four of the guards were in it, but I said nothing to tho captain. I did take Haskell into my confidence, however, and from that hour very little took place on deck or below that escaped our attention.Davis told me his story one day. He bad presented the check and got the money for another, having no idea that anything was wrong. I cannot recall all the particulars at this late day, but I am free to say that his story impressed me as being truthful. He had been sentenced for ten years. He did not assume the role of a martyr, as most convicts do, nor did he revile judge and jury, as is the usual course. In fact, be made no complaint, not even of his sickiftss, and though he was granted special favors it was not because he had first asked for them. Well, on this afternoon of the calm, while everything was very quiet aboard, the attenion of several of the sailors was attracted to a monster shark alongside, and after a bit we all crowded to the port rail for a look. The fish was fully 15 feet long and on the lookout for his dinner. Had we been a merchant vessel Jack would have been allowed to drop over a hook and have a frolic with his old enemy, but the nature of our "cargo" prohibited any such excitement. We had been watching the shark for ten minutes, and it? presence was known to all on deok, though the convicts were not allowed to leave their work to look at him, when there was a sudden rush along the deck, a shout, a splash, and we were horrified to see Davis, the convict, struggling in the water. No, he was not struggling. As ho came to the surface he whirled over on his back, folded bis arms and waited for the" shark to take him. A dozen men cried out, and a dozen men ran about, but the fact was that nothing could be done. Two ropes which were thrown fell right across Davis' breast, but he threw them off. The order was given to lower a boat, but before the falls had been cleared the shark made a rush and drew the poor follow down to be seen no more. It would have seemed sorrowful enough had he planned to oomniit suicide by drowning, but to throw himself to a shark as he knowingly did was an act to make one's flesh creep a bit as he remembered the cruel eyes staring up at us from the green waters and the mouth filled with sharp teeth which opened now and then as if the monster intended to make an upward spring and snap at one of the heads overlooking the rail. I must tell you the conclusion we reached after a bit regarding the convicts. When I say "we," I mean Captain Clark and myself, for we did not always take the doctor or the second mate into our confidence, and as for the passengers, of course, they had nothing to say. We felt that we should be perfectly safe until reaching the Cape. We might give the convicts ever so good an opportunity to mutiny and they would not take advantage of it The meeting with the man-of-war had settled that matter. Two days after Captain Hodgson left us we met a second cruiser, and on the fourth day we exchanged signals with a third. The convicts would figure that mutiny in the regular track of government vessels was altogether too risky. But after leaving the Cape the hour of peril would come. Once to the eastward of the Mozambique channel, with the island of Madagascar far to the north, we should have entered upon the broad expanse of the Indian ocean, where a craft might sail for days and weeks without sighting a Bail. There were sailors among the- convicts, and there were others who knew the Australian coast and the coasts of Java and Sumatra and the off lying islands. Once let them get possession of tho bark and they had only to keep her head northeast to find 100 safe havens. I should have been less anxious if Ben Johnson had sulked and exhibited more or Jess defiance after his whipping. He would then have acted a natural part. Instead of that he became humble almost to cringing, and I was sure he had an objeot in view in assuming this role. One afternoon while he was at work on deck he asked permission of the doctor to speak to me. I had passed close to him 100 times since the whipping, but he had never raised his eyes to mine. On this occasion, when I approached him, he said: "I'm a gentleman, sir," replied the owner of tho very first name callod. Up to this time only two of the gangs had got to work. The 16 men of the second gang had claimed to be painters, blacksmiths and the like, and we could give them no work on deck until fairly at sea and everything was shipshape for tbe long voyage. Ben Johnson was in this gang, and I have no doubt that the men acted under his instructions in giving in their occupations. It was a plan to bring them all on deck, you see, and so make it the worse for us. Work they must, however, and in due time they were brought up and assigned to diffeient tasks. The rule was that no two should work together, and that thore should be no conversation. In the oourse of a fortnight Dr. Haxton pulled himself together in wondeiful shape to save his reputation, but ono who studied Things passed off all right, so far as having tbe convicts up and down again, but such of us as were closely watching the fellows made sure that they had taken the doctor's dimensions. I looked every one of the 60 full in the face, and, though I laid no claim to being a physiognomist, I decided for myself that we might as well have had 60 red handed pirates aboard. The idea of a boy attempting to govern such a gang would have brought a smile had I been ashore and dear of consequences. I have said nothing thus far about Mary Williams and her parents. As a matter of fact, the girl herself was so upset the day she came aboard that she kept her cabin for a week. It was hard linos in flying from disgrace to find herself penned up with the villainous cause thereof, and when she finally came on deck she was so pale and thin that I did not at first recognize her. Fortunately for the family no one on board connected them with the unfortunate affair at Dudley, and that was certainly a matter for congratulation. Upon my first meeting with Mary she made a strong effort to repress her emotion as she gave me her hand and said: "I'm the owner of the Bank of England, but taking a trip for my health," replied the second. A number of fllcx v-crr. found about his clothing. Give me two others, and we will take the places of the guards below. Put the whole guard nndor arrest and search every man. When you come to examine tho muskets, you will discover that all aro unloaded. After taking care of the guards there should be an inspection of the cages and the prisoners. They have been using saws and files down below." Haskell bad been made captain of the guard after the removal of Hooper, and his surmises and suspicions were entitled to ail consideration. It gave me • very unpleasant feeling to think I had been deceived in York, but I did not act on impulse. If be was all right, it would be a bad thing to jump on him and have to take it all back, and if he was engaged in a plot the correct thing to do was to lie low and bope to expooe him. Thus it came about that while Dr. Haxton was congratulating himself on the smooth way in which things were going I had never been more anxious. The convicts made a joke of the whole affair, and not one of them gave It was a mutiny against the doctor and three 01 four of his guards rather than against the ship, and had the captain kept faith with the mutineers it would have been far better for all on board. Two of the guards were killed in the first attack. The doctor was made prisoner, and an hour later was hanged at the yardarm. The convicts had no further grudges to satisfy, and simply asked that they bo landed on the Hottentot coast This the captain agreed to, but during the night put the ship about with the intention of making St Helena and giving the prisoners up to the authoiitics. His deception was soon discovered, the ship held off to the east, and next day the mutineers determined to rid themselves of overy one in the ship who would not join them and 6hare the dangers of their future. The captain, mates and 12 sailors refused to join, as also did 8 of the guards and the 4 passengers, making 21 people in all. The 2 cooks and the captain's steward had no option, but were compelled to join. Two boats were lowered, plenty of water and provisions put aboard, and the captain and his people were treated with the greatest consideration. The passengers had a table to themselves, while the three officers of the ship and tbe doctor ate at a smaller one. We did not have our supper until after tbe convicts had been served. Captain Clark was not a man to mince words with any man living, though he was neither brutal nor lacking in good manners. He had seen enough to warrant him in opening the subject with the doctor, and they were scarcely seated at tbe table when he led off with: Haskell spoka in such a calm, oool way that I looked at him in anger, thinking he was inclined to joke. He went on to explain that he had been keeping vigilant watch, and that ho would stake his life on being correct in his assertions, and I lost no time in notifying the captain and the doctor. We moved in the matter so cautiously that not even one of the sailors who was to replace the guards suspected what was up. At 7 o'clock, as Hooper, and three of his men gathered at the fore hatch, the captain ordered them aft, and four sailors took their places. At the same moment Haskell descended to the cages with two men and told the guards they were wanted on deck. Of the seven muskets held by tho guards all were capped, but not one loaded. Hooper pretended to be highly indignant at being interfered with, and force had to be used before his person could be searched. A number of files aud saws, all betraying evidences of recent use, were found about his clothing. "While we are both sufferers from the same cause 1 wish to ask your forgiveness that a—a friend of mine should have brought tho trouble upon you." We had favorable winds and reeled off the knots for 20 days after leaving the Cape, and then we got a calm, followed by a gale from tbe south. On the very first day of this unfavorable weather Captain Clark was struck down by a block falling from aloft and so severely injured that he was good for a week below. This left the whole burden on my shdflclers. I don't wish to put forward my importance, but I feel that I should relate things just as they happened. him closely could not fail to make out that he was larking in nerve. If this lack was apparent to the captain and myself, it most have also been to the shrewder of the convicts, and to at least the officer of the guard. We were looking to see them test him, and after Captain Clark had somewhat retired himself the test was applied. Ben Johnson was the man to make it We had been at sea about three weeks, and No. 2 gang was on deck from 1 to 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Johnson was acting as an assistant to the ship's carpenter, and, although his demeanor was sulky and inllen, no fault could be found with him. It was 3 o'clock, and the captain was asleep, and I had charge of the deck. The guards were scattered about among the convicts, while one watch of the crew was below. All of a sudden Johnson laid down tho tool he was working with, folded bis arms and declared to tbe doctor, who was oversee- I was much embarrassed—more so than she was—over the situation, but I managed to tell her that she had no need of excuses and that I was sorry #Dr her troubles and had already forgotten mine. We could congratulate ourselves on having come out of the affair with flying colors, and yet I could not fail to see that she had taken the matter deeply to heart. Through no fault of hers she had brought sorrow to her parents and a smirch upon her own reputation. The fact of her loving and being betrothed to such a villain at all, and especially in opposition to her parents, had given the public gossips a chance to deal her some hard blows. "Now, then, I suppose this is your first voyage as a doctor?" "And I suppose you have had no experience whatever with convicts ashore?" "Yes, sir." The result of the southerly gale was that we were driven a long way to the northward of our course. When the gale finally broke and I got an observation and verified it by dead reckoning, I found that we were 350 miles off our truecourse. When this information was given to the captain, who was then only able to sit up for half an hour at a time, he replied: "Not the slightest." ''I'm the (turner of the Think of England." his occupation. The doctor was in despair when he returned and reported to the captain, and tbo latter threatened to transfer him to the first homeward bound ship wo met There were valid objections to such a course, however. At the risk of being thought tedious, I will explain to 700 that anything out of the routine would cancel both the charter and insurance. The charter stated that a doctor employed by the government was to have charge of the convicts. The insurance policy provided for the same thing. To force the doctor out of the ship would have mixed up affairs in a bad way even had we safely landed every conviot at Botany Bay. No, we couldn't do that, but we could make him sign a paper confessing his incompetency and asking our aid and advice, and that was the course pursued. If everything went well, the paper would not be used against him. If we had trouble, it would be brought forward to protect our interests. "And yet you are expected to have tbe government of 60 as desperate villains as ever wore chains—see through all their schemes and plans, thwart any attempt at mutiny, find work for them every day for four or five months, punish the refractory, look out for sicknese and land tbo gang safe at Botany Bay." Thomas was in the mute's boat. Its course was shaped for St Helena, but a galo came ou ami blew them far to the south. After a week of battliug with the elements it was decided to run for the Cape, but in another gale tho boat was upset, and every man lost except Thomas. He was lashed to the keel and had been without food or water for three days when picked up by the Black Prince. As to the fate of the captain's boat and the convict ship ho of course knew nothing, but I will give the particulars here as I learned them two or three years afterward. Tho captain's boat hauled ill for the African coast after the gale spoken of, and finally landed with everybody badly used up and the boat no longer able to float There were 11 men in this boat, aud only 8 survived to reach the Cape. Not a single person on board the convict ship knew anything about navigation. The pimple simply know that the coast was to tineast of them, and they held for it through all sorts of weather. A due oast coast would have landed them in Damara Land, above Walfish river, but the point they did reach was Cape St. Maiy, on tho Benguela coast, 000 miles above. I told you I was in love with Mary Williams, but as to her having any feeling for me beyond what the situation might be expected to bring out I make no claim. After being dealt such a blow no sane man could expect her thoughts to turn to love. Change of scene and lapse of time might work in my favor, and I must be satisfied to wait What bothered me just then, however, was to know just how she felt toward Ben Johnson. As a proud and honest girl her affection for him must have been iealt a terrible blow, but we all know that a girl will sometimes cliug to an unworthy man in a manner to fill everybody with amazement. My desire to learn her feelings was soon gratified. She asked after him—how he was conducting himself and what sort of record had followed him 011 board from the prison, and when I answered her she continued: Tho guard below was re-enforoed and the cages examined. Bars had been cut in every one of them, and it had been planned to make a rush and capturo the bark as the first gang was turned up. We hadn't got to the bottom of affairs yet when a British man-of-war, on ber way home from the Cape, was alongside of us. The prisoners below, led by Ben Johnson, were hooting and yelling, and all our passengers were badly upset at the turn of affairs, though all danger was over before they knew anything of the situation. The captain of the manof-war had full authority to investigate and to act. He was at first minded to put a guard and a sailing master aboard, but Captain Clark was not a man to be sat upon in that fashion. There had been a conspiracy, but no mutiny. We had proved ourselves equal to tho emergency, and there was no excuse for interference. Captain Hodgson, as he was named, was determined on seeing punishment meted out, however, and after he had had 10 or 12 of the convicts before him it was plainly evident that Hooper and two of his guards had come aboard with tho sole object in view of assisting two of the worst convicts to regain their liberty. The four other guards were honest men, and the charges in their muskets had been drawn while they were asleep. Ben Johnson, a double murderer named Finch and a highway robber and murderer named Watson were the ringleaders of the conspiracy and were to have control of affairs in case the mutiny was a success. "Why, I didn't know that all that was expected of me!" exclaimed the young man in tones of surprise and fright "I didn't know that I would ever come in contact with a convict except he needed medical services." "Well, Ralph, that is not much to complain of, as the bark came through all right. Tho wind has come right at last, and two or three days will put us back on the right track. " "Mr. Tompkins, it may make no difference to you what my feelings are toward you, but in spite of my being a convict I have not last all self respect. I swore falsely against you and am sorry for it" "I believe your name is Haxton?" coldly queried the captain. Daring the storm there was nothing to complain of in the conduct of sailors, guards or convicts. I was trusting Haskell to keep his eyes open anil give me any news worth communicating, but he brought me none until the bark had been headed down to the southeast. Then he found opportunity at night to say to me: "Yes, sir—Colchester Haxton." "Well, Mr. Haxton, you are not only the biggest fool it has been my misfortune to encounter, but whoever helped you to this appointment ought to be down among the convicts. I shall come to anchor and refuse to sail until you are replaced by a man of experience." "That is past and gone," I said, hardly knowing how to take him. "I have threatened you and—and others since I came aboard the ship, and I am sorry for that," he continued. "Well?" I answered. CHAPTER IX TOE CAPE AND BEYOND. "I can't make out that fellow York. I have watched him with increasing vigilance, bat have failed to trip him up, though there are many things to arouse my suspicions. He has an influence with the crew little short of magnetic. Men who didn't like him at all are his best friends now. I am the only one of the guards he hasn't made friends with." . Our run to the Cape was made in fairly good time, and when we came to anchor everybody aboard was in good health, and there was nothing to find fault with. By going before the proper authorities and making statements and affidavits and delaying our voyage for an investigation I doubt not that we could have had Dr. Haxton removed and secured a competent man in his place. The rub was, as I have heretofore explained, that snch action would make trouble for the bark. The authorities had the power to cancel our charter and transfer the prisoners with the voyage half completed, and that meant heavy loss and certain disgrace. "But, sir, my appointment was regularly made after passing the examination, and I have behind me such men as the Hon. Janes Bolingbroke, the Hon. George Farleigh, the Hon."— "I admit that I was a leader in the conspiracy, and I say that my punishment was well deserved." As soon as the document was signed, sealed and delivered Captain Clark began to look after the convicts. He bad them on deck, ODe by one, and as they stood before him be said to each in turn: "And now what do you wish?" "Simply to say that I regret everything, sir, and that I am firmly resolved to be a better man. I hnve influence over the gang aboard. I shall exert it in the right direction. There will be no more trouble aboard this craft. I know that a good word from the officers of this ship to the authorities of Botany Bay will count for much in my favor. I'm thinking, sir, that if all goes well and you see me trying to do what's right you'll overlook the past and be willing to speak in my favor." "Blast your honorablesl" interrupted the captain. ' 'The question is, Are you fit or unfit? If unfit, and everything thus far points that way, then it's my duty to my ship and passengers to come to 1 anchor at once and enter complaint" The captain was so savage that Mr. Haxton left the table and sought bis stateroom just as I came down. The Idea was to come to anchor at once, but when I had put the other side of the case to the captain it was all abandoned. Though I was in a sense to blame for all the misfortunes which thereafter occurred, I argued with the captain for what I believed to be the best interests of all concerned. If we came to anchor and raised a iow, it would get into "lam appalled when I look back and realize how blind I was, though tho villainy in his nature never revealed itself to any one until that terrible night. I believe it was pity I gave him more than love. I cannot help but pity him now, even though the sight of him fills me with horror. " "Now, then, what do you wish to turn your hand to? We shall have tailoring, shoemaking, cutting, knitting, carpentering, blacksmithing and sail mending.""Does he talk much?" I queried. 'TU not do another stroke of work." ing all, that he would not do anothei stroke of work 011 the voyage. The doctor walked straight up to him and bravely said: "Very little, as far as I have observed, and yet I believe he does a great deal of it Borne of the men are talking about the goldiields and others of life on au island, and.I believe the fellow is working up to some climax. Did you know that he and Miss Foster have quite fallen iu love with each other during the past week?" With such a batch of convicts in possession of a ship one might be prepared to believe that drunkenness, fighting and murder weie the order of the day. Such was not tho case, however. On the contrary, good order and thorough discipline were enforced. While all were considered to bo on an equality and all were served with the same food the mon bad sense enough to realize that any laxity was a direct menace to all. If retaken, every male convict would be hung and every female get Ufa imprisonment All tlx testimony The first man impudently replied that he would prefer to drive an omnibus, but he was off for the " brig," or dark hole, before he had finished the sentence. The second was sent to keep him company, while the third, who replied that he would like to sail the Hindu out and back, was tied up to the gratings and given ten lashes on his bare back. The. remainder of the gang made the discovery that Captain Clark was a man who would jftand no non- Whenever Johnson's gang was on deck, the fellow always had his eye out for a sight of Mary, but as soon as she understood the routine she remained below and out of sight. From the hour of his coming aboard I had never caught his eye, but yet I hud never come near him that all the devil in bis soul did not appear in his face. I fully realized his deadly hatred, and had no doubt that his burning desire foi revenge "I give you one minute to make up your mind whether you will return to your work or take a flogging!" 1 may tell yon that before reaching the Uape tiie captain had a very plain talk with the doctor. That the man had been trying to do his best no one could doubt, but there was no hope that he would prove himself the right man in the right place. With the officers of the ahiD backing him assuming authori- "I'll not do another stroke of work, and you can flog and be hanged toyoul" shouted the convict "That will be the business of the doctor or the captain," I replied, "but I certainlv shall not refuse to do what "And, queerly enough, Miss White told me to my faco this morning that she didn't believe Ben Johnson guilty "Is it possible?" may come in my way." The two men stood looking into each I other's eyes for half a minute. Then jDr. Haxt"u heiuua to grow white around "Thanks, sir. I spoke to you instead of the captain for the reason that we were mixed up in the case back  Call all hands to witness the punishment, and then give every one of the pf ♦ lDn v — Con tin a ed on Seoand Page.