The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-03-24
!. IAnBERTyILIE n. J., WEDNESDAY MARCH "a 1880.

lut my ittfc,t Hfafu tuC ttiNu uau uccA Qtc-
charged from Liverpool ship some two
months before, and as he wished to return
home he thought he would ship on the Mara
thon.
The consul verified the mans statement,
which satisfied the skipper, SO he had ship
ped him on the strength of this said Moth
lug more to the old man, but determined to
keep aweather eye on the mans movements.
We were to put out to sea that night, If the
wind were favorable. The eighty-seven men
were placed between decks to remain there
until morning, when they would be taken out
for an airing. The guard consisted of TWEEN
ty-four men. half the number standing watch
while the others turned in below.
It was eleven o'clock before the wind was
10 our favor, and nearly eight bells when we
weighed anchor. tell you did not sleep
much in my watch below, the shouts and ours
es OF the convicts made a perfect bedlam and
would have aroused the seven sleepers. In
vain the guard threatened them, but they on
ly answered derisively and dared the soldiers
to shoot 4a tss
Mr.. Boter came to my berth when my
watch was out, and said he expected to find
me awake, for no one could sleep with those
wretches bowling. So lighted my pipe and
went ON deck, preferring to remain above
than on level with the banished English
men. Before daybreak they were quiet
enough and no particular one could be sifted
out for creating the disturbance, SO the whole
eighty-seyen went scot free.
About seven o'clock they we're led up on
deck for an airing, and to pass inspection.
After remaining three hours they were sent
below again. In the afternoon about three
o'clock a gale sprang up, which required all
hands to reef topsais. The yards were soon
manned, and went aloft myself as is gener-
ally the custom when all hands are called.
While was passing the weather earring and
taking the last turn, heard Shaling Zone of
the foremost hands, who was knotting reef
point next to me) ask
"Whcre is Baker don't see him on the
yard" ite
looked over the line of men, and sure
enough be was not there. tell you. wasn't
long in getting on deck and stating my sus-
picious to the captain. We at once rushed
forward, followed by several of the guards
aud just as we reached the forecaste who
should make his appearance but Barker.
The old man yelled at him What are
you Sinking below for when all hands were
called for duty ?" a
II was sick ;" growled the scoundrel, :" and
could not go aloft."
i..:. nd lnOx
it," said the SIX ipper :" I'll be bound you are
up to some mischief. Mr. Steeraway, just
keep your eye on him till come back"
"Aye, aye, SIR" recommended.
BY this time all hands had come down from
aloft The Captain soon returned and stated
that he could. find nothing out of the way,
but was convinced in my own mind that
something was out Of the way. So the old
man gave me leave to go below and satisfy
myself could find nothing, but at the same
time was far from being satisfied. / / asked
why was Barker, ofeall others, down below
We told the crew of our suspicious, and or
dered them to keep lookout on Barker's
movements.
As the night came on, the guard was reliev-
ed and cautioned by the sergeant to be on the
alert. 1t seemed kind Of queer to me that
the convicts remained so quiet, for beyond
low conversation their voices we're scarcely
audible, but thought afterwards that prob
ably they intended to get good nights rest
and preferred TO keep still.
lay awake some time after tnrning In
but my eyes finally grew heavy, and | was in
the land Of dreams-away off in Boston. My
mother came up to my room Il was still in my
dreams) to tuck 10 the bed clothes. felt her.
gentle touch on the blankets but why did
she place her band over my MOUTH 1 open
ed my eyes to see the reason.
The glttering blade of a sheath knife was
held before me. | knew the reason then pref
ty quick, assure you, for Barker held it.
5"Now,s Steeaway,', says he, "you just
keep quiet, and you won't be hurt. Open
your mouth and you won't know what hurt
you"
/ knew that any movement on my part
would be my death warrant.
win You keep quiet if take my hand
from your mouth ~" @ NMAN4
l nodded my head In the affirmative, and
his hand was removed. !" Now, Steeraway, y
says he, 81 am going to tie you and put lit
tie stopper in your mouth. II won't hurt you
for understand how to do these tbings.'h
He evidently did, for I was very soon bound
band and foot, a gag placed in my mouth,
and your humble servant was rendered as use
less as a dead man. The convict then left me
and disappeared. Il had not been alone more
than ten minutes, when heard q voice near
the berth head say, (" All right" eSA
In moment more, a light draft of air en-
tered my stateroom, and it smelt strong of
pent up ARA sort of convict odor, SO to
speak.
The buikhead had been removed and the
cabin was soon crowded with prisoners. Not
sound did they make, for their irons were
Of and the thought flashed quickly upon me
that our ship is in their hands. may the Lord
have mercy on our crew
D Silently they wept up the cabin stairs ;sthen
/ heard quick rushing sound, shouts, yels,
curses, then few shouts, yells, curses then
a. few shots in quick succession several
.