Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-04-20

before the Commodore. He was at
tired in flimsy shirt and pantaloons.
One glance was sufficient to inform
US that he was convict. Speaking
in French be made an appeal to our
commander for protection.
But how did ycu get here. man?
cried the Commodore "Good Hea-
vens! you never could have swan
out to the vessel?"
AT this question our minds rever-
ted to the harbor swarming with
sharks, and |, for Que, could not re-
press shudder at the mere thought.
death, no matter in what form,
has no terrors for me- answered the
convict. Since coming here, have l
not suffered death thousand times
over? Am | not already dead to my
relatives, friends and the world? The
slight hope held out to me by the
coming of your vessel was sufficient
The chances OF being torn to pieces
by sharks did not make me SHRINK
Our imaginations can scarcely
grasp the import of such hopelessness.
Further questions revealed to us that
this poor devil had been a French
soldier, and had committed the horri-
BILE crime of striking superior officer.
For that, he had been numbered and
sent to the Isles of Salute to die q
lingering death Listening attentive
ly until the convict had finished. our
Commodore said:
"Mv poor fellow, the laws of hu-
manity cry out to me in your behalf,
but am forced to treat them as sec.
ondary considerations. no matter how
unjust it may be. international laws
are stronger 10 this case, and | must
tell you that is my imperative duty
to return you
The Frenchman's reply staggered
the Commodore somewhat. Said he:
y ou are the represe ntative of glor-
ious republic, and came to you for
protection; instead. [ lind that have
come to hear my doom pronounced.
"He then informed US that all those
who attempted to escape, when
caught, were Immediately shot, But
knowing his duty, the Comm odore
gave gave the necessary orders. and
soon our boat was making its way
towards spot where, we thought,
the convict would be able to pass the
Gordon of sentries, undiscoyered
Our boat could not be seen, as the
night was too dark. Fully three
quarters of the distance had been
passed, when we heard a cry from the
land, followed soon after by the long
roll of drum, and torches flashing
hither and thither a. though in search
of something. The Frenchman was
landed, and our boat made It's way
towards the ship. Loud shouts sud-
denly arrested our attention, and We
saw the torches gather around GER
tain point and soon move off together.
Before half an hour had passed all
was stiffness and darkness again.
II happened to be on deck the fol-
lowing morning at day
break, and had scarcely walked across
the deck once when / heard the
sound of a volley being fired. Taking
up the glass, l pointed it towards
shore. Soon boat pulled out, man.
ned by four oarsmen. A tall, cadav-
erous individual, dressed in black
gown, sat in the stern, and dark OBJ
ject lay in the bottom. Drawing
nearer passed the bow of the Wander
bilt. A little beyond it stopped; the
cadaverous individal read few SEN
tonces from book; the dark object
was lifted and thrown overheard
with plunge. A rush of those hell
ish monsters, deep-red coloring of
the water, and all was DER"
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