Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1883-06-10

came in, dragging IA heavy chain be-
hind him, and with him Il robust black
smith.
The ring of an iron chain was put
round my ankle. and forged together
with single stroke of the hammer.
A like ring bound my companion. Each
stroke re-echoed through the arches
like the scornful laugh of demons.
The officer drew small red book from
his pocket, and said
"No. 207 listen to our prisoners
laws If you attempt flight and fail,
YOU will bc bastinadoed. If YOU succeed
in getting to- the harbor and are there
captured, you will be doubly chained
for three years. As soon rs you are
missed, three cannon shots will be
fred and signals of alarm will be hoist
ed on each bastion. Telegraphic mes
saoes will be sent to the harbor-guards
and to the police throughout France. y
After the officer had read this, with
terrible satisfaction he re-lit his cigar,
put the book away, and left the hall.
was now a prisoner forged to another
prisoner. As looked at him ! found
bis eyes turned toward me. He was a
sinister-looking fellow, and about forty
years old, not any taller than |, but of
Herculean build.
"Then you are in for life?' he said.
"How do you know that?' | eN.
claimed angrily.
Il can tell by your cap green is for
life. Why are you here?"
Il conspired against the govern
ment."
He shrugged his shoulders contemp-
tuously. ''Then you're an elegant one.
We other prisoners hate such aristo-
cratic company.
i made no answer.
This is the fourth time I've been
here continued my companion. per
haps you have heard of Gasparo, the
counterfeiter."
had heard Of the daring criminal,
and drew back trembling from his
gaze. An uneasy look liz his eyes told
me that he had noticed my shrinking.
From that moment he hated me. Gas
paro and |, with two hundred other
prisoners, were put to work in stone
quarry on the other side of the harbor
Day after day and week after week,
ilOIu oulll lSC W SuuSClp Vic lOOhS IC-
sounding to our blows. Thus spring
and summer passed, and autumn came.
My fellow-prisoner, was Piedmontese.
He had been thief, counterfeitcr, in
cendiary, and when he had last fled
from prison he committed a murder.
Heaven alone knows how my sufferings
were intensified through this terrible
comradeship. How | shrank from
the touch of his hand! What loathing
took possession of me when | felt his
breath on my face ut night! | tried TO
overcome this aversion; but in vain.
He knew it as well as |, and took every
opportunity to revenge himself in such
ways rs only a depraved mind can
think OF. However, it would have
been of no avail to put myself in oppo-
sition to him, and any complaint to
the overseer would only have provoked
the wretch to worse tyranny. At
last there came day when his hate
seemed to diminish. He allowed me
my nights rest and seemed to be in n
hurry. The next morning, shortly after
we had begun work, he came close to
me, and whispered in my ear:
DON you want to eScape?'
felt the blood rush to my face, and
could not say word.
Can you keep a secret?' he went
on.
Until DEATH"
"Well, then, listen: Tomorrow Mar
shall d 'Anvergue will inspect the har-
Dor, docks, prison and Stone-quarry.
Salutes will be fired from the walls and
ships which will make it difficult to
hear the guards signal for two eScap-
ing prisoners. DO you understand
me9"