Daily Kennebec journal., 1893-12-06
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HocoiftG eArrlsss seAMEN.


~ VI
NV sAs Cas- was Ysrusriy Esd n -
Essiish Nsvy.
The following graphic description Of the
manner in which the s-catr used TO bs adj
minissercd in the royal navy 10 from the
pen Of an able seaman:
Inow gave ieok to the poof fellow who
was fozged yesterday He Is q Yeish-
man, aged 20, and came from London to
the gold diggings In the Tynenouth, and
turned out very bad fellow, spent his
money instead Of going 70 the diggings,
and joined the ship as boy just when l
did Well, he has been punished all sorts
Of ways. He was imprisoned for month,
but still be was abusive 70 every cne-the
essence Of biaekguard (aitho1gh well
educated and Of q good family. He was
hated by all on board AT length be At
tempted to desert, was caught, put in
rons-wrists and ankles--and kept lying
on the lower deck s,l night, just below my
hammock, swearing 'awfnliy-
Yesterday morning, at O'Clock, we
beard the order. ''Ail hands clear for quar-
Ders."
We knew directly the tragedy about to
be enacted. / cleaned, went to the cabin
and quietly began 10 write saw the
marines putting on their cross belts. the
officers donniug their best uniforms Pres
entity the captain came into the cabin in
full uniform. Then ne gave the order,
IAN hands aft" They all crowded up,
the doctor among the rest, all in full
uniform and dress swords. The prisoner
was brought forward, seowling on all
sides The officers and men removed their
caps, and the sentence was read. Then
two auarterrnasters stepped forward and
dashed the prisoner wrists and ankles TO
an upright gangway ladder. Then he
was stripped to the waist, and canvas
cloth tied round his loins TO catch the
blood from his back. Now the boatswain' 8
mate appeared with the dreaded "cat' In
his hand. The handle was about IS inches
long, and the nine tails about two feet
long, of whipeord the size of Quill pen.
The mate measured the distance and
gave the ''cat'' swift swing round his
head. The prisoner gave srnothered cry,
and nine blood red streaks appeared on
his back ''One," cried out the master
at arms. turned my head aside, and
saw the chief engineer bury his face in his
hands.
1.-TWO, three, four" repeated the loud
voice dared not look. but l heard the
sharp, shrill swish of the "cat, a.. IN
measured time, it fell upon the mans
back. His cries now became loud and AZ
onizing.
Five" said the master at arms.
"Oh, mercy!' replied the bleeding pris-
oner.
"Six"
"Oh, heaven!''
"Seven."
"Striks my ribs; oh, strike my ribs;
let's have a change Of position"
Eight" -
"Oh, you brute" cried the prisoner.
turning to the captain, who stood looking
on at the tragedy with solemn eyes.
Mine" cried the master at arms.
"Do your duty sir, said the first lieu
tenant to the perspiring mate, and the
mate stopped for moment to clean with
| his fingers the clotted thongs Of his "cat. u
Then he threw the whole swing OF hii
body into "ten" The Welshman uttered
a yell that was heard by the sentry on the
forecastle of the flagship. at anchor two
miles off.
"Elevenl twelvel Chanter," cried out
| the lieutenant, and the boatswain's matt
| Of that name took the cat for 12 more
| and so on, fresh mate for every 12, until
| the whole 4S lashes were delivered, leav
| ing the youth miserable, bleeding spec
| tacle.--London Tit-Bits.