The New York herald., 1877-03-19
NEW YORK HERALD MONDAY l877wlTH SUPPLEMENT-

with The cyonts OF the Commune arc Ward and Debon
Their plan was we'll conceived and, least 70 some
extent sklfully executed II appears that body OF
Communist prisoners, numbering thirty, were engaged
In building hospital Tor the town OF Noumea on the
little iset OF Freycinet, about three-quarters Of an
hour by from the penitsntary settlement Of Nou
Tho workmen were conveyed TO Freyciuet every morn
ing in largo open boat without masts or oars, which
was uggcd aud from the site OF the works BY we'll
armed and equipped sloop. Tho project was 10
seize this vessel either by force SURPRISE At the
moment when II brought close TO tho open boat
and to gam the Point aux Sables. on the Island OF
Nou, wherc u confederate was to be In
waiting with provisions and such additional appar-
atus would he necessary for reaching the high sea
NocrEzrMA
Seizng ther opportunity when the vessel was under
manned the Communists, by wel;-schemed artince
persuaded those board 10 shore and then took
possession OF the sloop. Ward tho chief actor IN
tho plot II was he who devised the plan by which
those charge OF tho vessel induced TO with
draw Ho was obliged 10 accompany them little
into the island but soon elgned AN excuse TO
leave them. His friends who remained soon saw him
return cxclniInin2, Nov then, not word; we have
nothing 10 fear, come on" In a moment the ship
was manned, the convcts forming tho crew, anu
tho keepers left alone on the island helpless
little lltne was lost after starting on account OF
The inexperience OF the men. as the fireman, who was
the only official lett board, not pressed any
work. Those on tho shore renamed motionless with
amazcment und in the meantime tho soop steamed
on unmosstea 10 tho Point aux Sables ON landing
they found comrade ready with all that was required
Hero the fireman jumped ashore without any opposi-
ton being made on tue part oil the Communists. The
astonishcd empoye Of the government said, turning
to Ward, tho leader OF the party, II should not have
thought that Of you However, II does not matter;
harm TO me-" "why should you bear US ll-willf"
replied the cohvcts; 1--WE seek only liberty"
Ar soon as the arcnan was liberated he gave the
alarm to the inhabitants Of the island The vessel had
lett Freycnet At haitpsst nine, aud Il was nov hMi
past ten O'Clock. Intelligence OF the escape at
once telegruphed 10 Noumea, but when the news
arrived no steamer was in readiness to depart pr-
vate steam yacht was procured, however, and after 1t
had been wol armed chase was given TO tho runaway
Communists The government officers were not able
20 set of In pursuit before eleven o'clock but
when they did SAIL they POSSESSED great advantages
over the prisoners. With the aid OF the private
yacht referred to, which was named tho Alert the
runboats lying ut anchor ut the other side Of tho
island wero Informed OF what had taken place. ana In
short time there were three armed boats bearing down
upon the Buari, In which the prisoners had escaped
from Freycinct. The exciting race was watched
through telescopes from the heights by the Inhabitants
all along the coast who by this time had knowledge OF
what was gong on Some InaIGuvring took place TO
cut of the Straits oi Vitoe from The Buar. The latter
succeeded IN reaching them when was almost over
parabiy greater power When tho Scudre was within
rifle shot IL opened lire upon tho prisoners with the
chassepot The highest pressure was put on by The
Bulari the crew OF which heard the balls whisting
about their ears III sulen silence
DRAMATIC THE LAST.
Every one on board expected an explosion from tho
measures taken tho speed VI the little boat
~ the highest pon when suddcny there was cry Of
IA man overheard !" aud tho Buar was brought 10
sandstil Two the had preferred 10 throw them
selves into the rather than submit to be conveyed
back TO their prison. fate that now seemed inevitable
One OF the Two pcrished the other, Trnquet. was
picked up bv jollyboat from the seudrc. In few
minutes tho crew OF the Bular was transferred
10 decks OF vessel the hands o the latter
appearing to sympathiZe with tho prisoners, and the
first engineer remarkng. ut Is we'll you stoppcd ia
lew minutes there would have been explosion.
The fact was that every one on board knew that the
boiler and a portion OF the machinery were red hot
'.You might have gwen US a tow minutes more. said
the prisoners.
..fools did you want TO ?" returned the captain
of the government vessel
1--WE die, F" was the reply.
The prisoners we're all brought back to Noumea