Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-10-20
CONvICTS ON THE SEA.

We were about 800 miles south of the
Cape of Good Hope, and our ships head
pointed nearly due east. s'Twelve knots
an hour, says to the skipper, in reply
to Chow much is she maklng?" The
dripping log line was rolled up and the
lime glass placed away in the pinnacle.
An extra pull was taken on the braces,
the yard presse hard against the stays,
and right well did the old Marathon lie
over from the heavy breeze that swelled
our canvas to the greatest tension.
hove the log again.
How much now ?" says the skip
per.
Twelve and half, sir.
8 guess that is about all We can get
ont of her with this wind; that extra pull
gave her the other half knot.
In ten days after passing Kergeulen's
Land the high and irregular coast OF
Australia was raised from the masthead
by our first mate, Mr.. Bolter, who shout.
ed the glad tidings to those on deck. Nc
sooner had the sound OF his voice
died away than bakers dozen were
running up the ratlines, eager to OBJ
tain even q distant view of the great
island.
A number of us old salts, who had
sailed for Australia before, contented
ourselves with shutting the air like so
many porpoises.
After we had passed between Ta smania
aud the South Sea we caught light
breeze on our quarter and headed for
Sydney. No sooner had we dropped our
gYfsl.T IN a l,n
town than our vessel was boarded by the
surgeon of the port, who examined our
papers, and being satisfied that We were
LII 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 a troubled look. He called Mr..
Roiter and myself into the cabin, where,
to our surprise and chagrin, he stated
that the con sui informed him that when
the cargo was discharged he should have
to press our ship into service for the
government to carry lot Of conyicts to
Van Dlemen's Land. The vessel that
brought them was disabled, and could
proceed no further.
The skipper demonstrated against the
seizure, but it was of no avail. The con-
sui said ne was sorry, but it could not
be avoided-our vessel being the only
one III port that would answer the pur-
pose, and the convicts must be got off
without delay. This news found its way
e5nQnS 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 quoted the fears
of the rest by telling them that there
was no danger that could possibly arise,
as the convicts would be heavily ironed
and placed between decks with a guard
over them.
On the following morning between
decks were prepared for the reception OF
our live freight A strong double bulk
head was putup just forward of the cabin,
one Just aft of the cabin lockers, and ex-
ira bars and padlocks were procured 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
cufed, and on the right ankle of every
man IN iron ring was fastened, to which
was attached q heavy chain. Six OF them
being fastened together, their movements
were quite slow and retarded. AS they
iled up the gang plank to the deck, L
counted eighty-seven. Some were large,
powerful men; others were weak and
wore sickly expression, but they all had
a look of logged determination, 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 in line and inspected by the superin,
tendent and his assistants. Each 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. 80 the
inspector informed us that there would
be no danger, and that we would soon b'
rid of them The guard that was to &C
company us had been selected with grea
care, each one having a mtlsket, two re
yoIyers and cutlas. Several extr
casks of water were got on board for fea
we would not have enough TO last u
during the run AS no signs OF GU
runaways was TO be had, the skipper wa
obliged TO ship several men in order t
fill his complement. One of these fel
lows was a Misunderstanding customer
and asked the captain why he shippe
such man.
He replied that it was the best h
could do. Sailors were scarce, as nearl
every one was off in the mines or stock
raising. / told Captain Billows that
did not relish having such man
hoard the Marathon, but he laughed &