Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1873-08-28
A Long swim for Liberty.

"A VerltaOle escape was maze In Australian
waters a few weeks since, almost as amazing
as that of Edmond Dantes, in the novel Of
''Monte Cristo." 1t seems that the French
transport steamer LOrne had put into the
lower harbor of Melbourne for coal and pro.
visions. On board were five hundred Com.
munists, bound for the French penal settle.
ment of New Caledonia. The sentinels on
duty were quadrupled in number, and the
ship was kept brilliantly illuminated with
lanterns. Boats were stationed at judicious
distances, and all conceivable cautions taken
to prevent any of the convicts from escaping.
But by an extraordinary combination of cour.
age, good fortune, and physical endurance.
one Michael Serigne managed to effect his
departure from the vessel and his arrival on
shore, u distance of seven miles, where, since
there is no expatriation for political offences,
he walks to-day free man. According to
the Melbourne Argus, Serigne, having watch.
ed his opportunity for several hours, rolled
out of port-hole into q collier, which had
been brought alongside to furnish the steamer
with coal. A guard with Chassepot was
close by, but the prisoner executed his crit
ical movement just as the sentry was moving
from him and before he turned. Serigne fell
amid the Goals, and with great swiftness and
dexterity, covered himself up among them.
Here he lay until after midnight, bis first
descent having been made at about nine. He
now stealthily lowered himself overheard and
swan to the GOLFERS stern, where boat was
fastened. Cutting the rope, he gently pushed
the boat away, swimming behind it. The
night was dark, there was no moon, and II
rained. When 800 yards away, Serigne heard
noise on board the steamer, and made up
his mind his escape was discovered. BE
naturally inferred that the absence of the
boat would be instantly noted, and that, if
seen, she would at once be fired upon. lie,
therefore, instantly left her, diving we'll be-
meath the surface, and rose again some dis
tance off. All was quiet on board the ship,
but he dared not return to the boat, and
struck out for shore. He could see the lights
at Sandbridge, but knew not how far they
might be away. After swimming nearly an
hour, he felt that he could continue 10 long
er. Happily, at this juncture he espied q
vessel at anchor, and contrived to struggle
to her cable. Fearing he should faint, and
so sink, he lashed himself to the cable with
his belt. For an hour more he rested, and
then disengaged himself and again struck
out for the shore. Greatly exhausted, he
managed at last to gain the beech at'Sand-
ridge, and thence, in the morning, he walked
into Melbourne. He had heard, he said, that
having once touched English soil he j. free
and so had no fear of being given up. On
the line taken, it appeared that he must have
swan nearly nine miles-the distance achiey-
ed by Dumas marvellous hero when he escaped
from the Chateau DIFF The poor man was
naturally in quiet destitute state, and, as it
turned out that he had been quiet harmless
member of the Commune, he found many
sympathizers, who will see to it that he has
comfortable provision for the future. There
are few instances in the annals of remarkable
escapes where the chances of success have
been so slender, and where difficulties were
surmounted with such determined pluck and
energy. If Serigne can make as good bat
tie for success in life as he has shown he can
make for liberty, he will be heard of again
in the word, and Australia may congratulate
herself on the acquisition of an enterprising
citizen, although at the expense of New CAL
edOnia