The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-06-18

pull gave her the other half knot.
In ten days after passing Kerguelen' s
Land, the high and irregular coast OF
Australia was raised from the masthead
by our first mate, Mr. Bolter, who
shouted the glad tidings to those on
deck. No sooner had the sound of his
voice died away than bakers dozen
were running up the ratlines, eager to
obtain even distant view OF the great
island.
A number of us old salts, who had
sailed for Australia before, contented
ourselves by shutting the air like so
many porpoises.
After we had passed between Tasmania
and the South Sea continent, we caught
a light breeze on our quarter and headed
for Sydney. No sooner had we dropped
our right bower in the river just off the
town than our vessel was boarded by
the surgeon of the port, who examined
our papers, and, being satisfied that we
were in good health. our ship was al
lowed to haul up nearer the city. The
old man went ashore to make his report
to the Consul, but when he returned his
face wore troubled look. He called
Mr.. Bolter and myself into the cabin,
where, TO our surprise and chagrin, he
stated that the Consul informed him that,
when the cargo was discharged, he
should have to press the ship into SER
vice for the Government to carry lot
of convicts TO Van Dieman's Land. The
vessel that brought them was disabled,
and could proceed no further.
The skipper demonstrated against the
| -, l,n
Consul said he was sorry, but it could
not be avoided-our vessel being the
only one in port that would answer the
purpose, and the convicts must be got
off without delay. This news found its
way among the crew, and several OF
them ran away and took to the push,
not caring to risk themselves at sea with
lot of desperate men fresh from the
prisons of England. The skipper
Quoted the fears of the rest by telling
them that no danger could possibly
arise, as the convicts would be heavily
ironed and placed between decks with II
guard over them.
On the following morning, between
decks were prepared for the reception of
our live freight. A strong double bulk
head was put up just forward of the cab
in, and one just aft of the chain-lockers,
and extra bars and padlocks were pro-
cured for the matches.
When | surveyed the work of the Gov
eminent carpenters my mind felt some
what easier.
Everything being in readiness, our
guests were marched down between files
of soldiers. Each convict was hand
cutfed, and on the right ankle of every
man an iron ring was fastened, to which
were attached heavy chains. Six of
them being fastened together, their
movements were quite slow and retard-
ed. AS they filed up the gang plank to
! the deck, | counted eighty-seven. Some
were large, powerful men others We're
weak and wore sickly expression, but
! they all had look of dogged determine
/ ton, their closely-cropped hair and
/ striped trousers and jackets making
/ them look all the more savage. When
number eighty-seven reached the deck,
they were drawn up i'll line and inspect
ed by the superintendent and his assist
ants. Elch convict was thoroughly
searched in order to see if he had any
weapons.
Nothing was found, however, but
what was proper for them TO have. So
the inspector informed us that there
would be no danger, and we would soon
be rid of them. The guard that was to
accompany us had been selected with
great care, each one having musket,
two revolvers and a cutlass. Several
extra casks of water were got on board
for fear we would not have enough to
last during the run. As no signs of our
runaways were to be had, the skipper
was obliged to ship several men i'll order
to fill his complement. One of these
fellows was a Misunderstanding custo-
mer, and L asked the Captain why he
shipped such a man.
He replied that it was the best he
could do. Sailors were scarce, as nearly
every one was off in the mines, or stock
raising. / told Capt. Billows that did
not relish having such man on board
the Marathon, but he laughed at my
fears and said the man had been dis
charged from Liverpool ship some two
months before, and, as he wished to re-
turn home, he thought he would ship on
the Marathon.
The Consul verified the mans state
ment, which satisfied the skipper, so he
had shipped him on the strength of this.
L said nothing more to the old man, but
determined to keep weather eve on that
mans movements We were to put out
to sea that night, if the wind were favor
able. 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
twenty-four men, half the number stand
ing watch while the others turned in
below.
1t was IL o'clock before the wind was
in our favor, and nearly bells when we
weighed anchor. tell you L did not
sleep much in my watch below the
shouts and curses of the convicts made
a perfect Bedlam and would have aroused
the seven sleepers. In vain the guard
threatened them, but they only answered
derisively and dared the soldiers to
shoot.
Mr.. Bolter came to my berth when
his watch was out, and said he expected
to find me awake, for no one could sleep
with those wretches bowling. So I