The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-11-09
AN ADVENTURE AT SEA.

Wv south of the Cape of Good Hope,
and our ships head pointed nearly due
east. "Twelve knots an hour" says L
to the skipper, in reply to " How much
, is she making? ?" The dripping log line
was rolled up and the time-glass placed
away in the pinnacle. An extra pull
was taken on the braces, the yards
pressed hard against the stays, and right
we'll did the old Marathon lie over. from
the heavy breeze that swelled our can
vas to its greatest tention. hove the
log again.
"How much now ?" says the skipper.
"Twelve and half, sir.'
81 guess that is about all we can get
out of her with this wind; that extra
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 a bakers dozen
was 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 snuffing the air like so
many porpoises.
After we had passed between Tasma-
nil md hn GnIrtI, nnntirannt xxyo
caught 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 satis-
fled that we were in good health, our
ship was allowed 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 in
formed him that when the cargo was
discharged he should have to press the
ship into service for the Government
to carry lot of convicts to Van Die
mans Land. The vessel that brought
them was disabled, and could proceed no
further.
The skipper demonstrated against the
seizure, but 1t was of no avail. The
Consul said he was sorry, but 1t 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 bush,
not caring to risk themselves at sea
with a lot of desperate men fresh from
the prisons of England. The skipper
quieted 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 q
guard over them.
On the following morning, between
decks were prepared for the reception oI
our live freight. A strong double bulk
head was put up just forward of the
cabin, and one just aft of the chain
lockers, and extra bars and padlockt
were procured for the matches.
When surveyed the work of the
Government carpenters my mind fell
somewhat easter.
Everything being In readiness, oul
guests were marched down between files
of soldiers. Each convict was hand
cufied, and on the right ankle of every
man an iron ring was fastened, to which
were attacked heavy chains. Six o
them being fastened together, theil
movements were quite slow and retard