The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-08-02
FORGED TOGETHER.
WILD TALE OF THE MUTUAL, HATRED OF
TWO CONvICTs

with my early history but will begin
by stating that was sent to the galleys,
and find myself to-day an exile. Brand
ing was not out of date at that time, and
until my death shall bear some fiery
letters on my shoulder.
I was arrested, registered, condemned
and sent to Paris. AS left the court of
Justice my terrible sentence rang in my
ears. On the long road from Paris to
Bicetre-al] day and all nieht-tili we
arrived at Toulon, the dull rolling of the
prison wagon on the pavement repeated
it to me. When I look back at that
time, l think must have been stunned
by the unexpected severity OF my doom.
for I have not the slightest recollection
of the particulars of that journey.
"Hard labor for life" "Hard labor for
Ifer' I heard nothing else; I could
think of nothing else. Late in the af-
ternoon of the third day the wagon
stopped, the door was unlocked, and was
led through paved court into hall
that was but family lighted Here on
officer asked mo my name, which he cn-
tered in large book banded with iron,
as though it was fcttered.
"No. 207," cried the officer; "grccn."
Then I was led into another room,
where put on the uniform of galley
slave From this moment i lost my in
dividuality. I was no longer Francois
present while I was dressing.
"Hurry upw he said; "it is getting late,
and you must be married before dinner" 1"
"Morried ?" l repeated.
He laughed rs he lit q cigar. I was
again led through another corridor into
damp court, where wild-looking men
with clanking chains were walking mp
and down before the muzzlcs of cannon.
Bring No. 206," cried the officer,
"and then call the priest"
No. 2O6 came in, dragging n heavy
chain behind him, and with him robust
Blacksmith.
Tho 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
'troke re-echocd through the arches like
the scornful laugh of demons. The
officer drew a small red book from his
pocket, and said:
''No. 2O7, listen to our prisoners
laws: IF yOu attempt flight and fail
you will be bastinadocd. If You succeed
in getting to tho hnrbor md are there
captured, you will be doubly chained
for three years. As soon as You are
missed, three cannon shots will be fired
and 81" nails Of alarm will be hoistcd on
each Dastion.. Telcgraphic messages
will be sent to tho harbOr guards and to
the police through out Frmcc.'"
After the officer had read this, with q
terrible satisfaction, he rclit his cigar,
put the book away. and left tho hall. /
was now prisoner forged to another
prisoner. As looked Mt him, I found
his eyes turned toward mo. He was n
sinistcr-looking fellow, and about forty
years old, pot any taller than I, but of
Herculean build.
"Then you are in for life ?" he
said.
GLOW do you know that ?" 1 ex.
claimed, angrily.
'I can tell by your cap--green is for
life. Why are you hero ?"
conspired against the govern
ment."
He shrugged his shoulders contempt.
uously. "Thcn you're an elegant one.
We other prisoners hate such aristo-
crahc company"
L made no answer.
= "This is the fourth time that I've been
here, continued my companion. 'Pcr-
haps you have heard of Gasparo the
counterfeiter ?"
L had heard of the daring criminal,
and drew back from his gaze. An u-
easy look in his eyes told me that he
had noticed my shrinking. From that
moment he hated me. Gasparo and I,
with two hundred other prisoners, were
put to work III n etonc-quarry on the
other side of the har, or. Day after day,
and week after wceh. from sunrise to
Bnngpt tho ronlyu JoIt b l.
Ihus spring and summer passed, and
autumn came. My fellow-prisoner was
PIedmontcse. He had been thief,
counterfcitcr, incendiary; and when he
last fled from prison he committed Il
murder. Heaven alone knows how my
suherlngs were intensified through this
terrible comradCShip How I shrank
from the touch of his hand What
loathlng took possession of me when |
felt his breath on my face Mt night
tried to overcome this aversion: but n
vain. He knew i - well as |, and took
every opportunity to revenge himself in
such ways as OILY depraved mind can
think OF. However, it would have been
OF no avail to put myself in opposition
to him, and any complaint to the over
seer would only have provoked the wretch
day when his hate seemed to diminish.
He allowed me my nights rest, and
seemed 10 be in n hurry. Tho next
morning, shortly after we had begun
work, he came close to me, and whispered
in my ear:
Don't you wish to escape?"
felt the blood rush to my face, and
could not say a word.
"Can you keepa secret ?" he went on.
Until death p
"Well, then. listen. Tomorrow Mar
shall d'Anvergue will inspect the harbor,
docks, prison and stone-quaTy. Salutes
will be fired from the walls and ships,
which will make it difficult to hear the
guards signal for two escaping prison
ers. DO you understand me P'
"Yes."
"What then, will be easier than to
knock off the fetters with the pickax,
and escape when the oYerseer is NOT
looking our way Will you dareP"