The morning call., 1893-04-09

prlsoned with the rest of them since half
last q; TO emerge from the pestilPntiel at
mnsrhere al dai break-for what"
While | thus thought I'd eench my hands
in the agony Of my mind TIL the rails were
driven into the palms OF them.
Bat every thing went a,olg very quietly
taGles were Knocked together and schools
held on deck in The inciosure, Il al is, a
proportion OF .he schools-thcle was not
room for al, and The convict classes alter
mated between the 'tweendecks and the
maindeck. The doctor speedily found out
that Tom was one If the best educated Of
the prisoners. and set him to help in teach
Ing the many wretehes who knew not their
alphahet: But 1t rarely happened, as l
have said, that L saw my sweetheart either
] was at work in tie cuddy when he was on
deck or he was below, or the schools broken
up when l might lave found leisure 10
watch him.
often speculated upon the histories of
unused upon it; my conviction, nay
my knowlenge' that Tom was as in
nocent as | Of the crime for which he was
being transported made me think there night
be others as guiltleSs as he; and this
sort OF fancy or sympathy often raised a
passion OF pity In me as I'd stand staring at
convict striving TO fetch his life-story
ont of his face, though for all | knew the
man | watched might have been one OF the
very worst scoundrels in the ship.
w nat hllECNCu lHN MOSl WAS Tue RuthSIilE
that lots of them must have left wives and
mothers. children and dear ones behind. |
had heard the doctor say that not above one
out of every 100 cOnyicts ever returned home,
80 that unless the parents or the wives OF the
poor m BILE ielons followed them they
wouli be as completely sundered from home
ties as though they had been sentenced to
the Gal!owS instead of to the hulks and
transport. My eyes would mOisten some
times in thus thinking while | watched
. IL
ing a past for him. Once | saw this:
Two children belonging to the soldiers
had Strayed into the gangway alley aud
were playing there. L observed a convict,
mlddle-aged man, watching them. A
sudden spasm contorted his face, he ierked
down his hand in swapping way in some
instant anguish of memory as though lie
cast something from him, and turned his
head and moved few PAGES, then raised
his cuff TO his eye with look round after
ward TO see If he was noticed.
One evening l went forward, meaning to
get upon the forecaStie TO Breathe the air.
1t was hot in the recess, some women were
seated round the BOBBY hatch and the noise
of the children vexed the mood was then
in. 1t WAS toward the close OF the second
dog watch and dark; l saw some figures on
tie foTPcastle and learned by the voices that
Mr. Stiles, Mr.. Balls and the sailmaker
were of them; therefore that might be
private, meaning TO breathe in solitude
L
to the lee side of the galley, the door of
which was closed, and stood there locking
at the dark sea above the line of the bull
wark rail, for the ship was heeng over
somewhat sharply this night
Though the noise OF the pouring and
foaming brine rose shrlll and strong, other
sounds were very plainly 10 be heard; for
instance. | often caught what they said
upon tile forecastlo though the speakers
were at a distance. The maindecH was
~. fax ho ny ba
Presently two sailors stationed themselves
against the foremost end of the galley,
round the corner so to say, facing the lofty
pillar of the foremost. / smell the fumes of
their coarse tobacco. They could not see
me nor | them; bat what they said was as
distinct as though they stood alongside of
me, spite OF their speaking in subdued
voices. | knew not what they were. but
guessed them TO be two fOrecastle hands.
~ had yarn along with Bob this morn
ing" said one of them. "Ihem gallus SEN
tries are made MP of eyes. Fust time I've
been able 20 speak to him"
What's he Jagged for?' said the other
man.
''BuzzIement knew it 'ud happen. He
grew too confident and was ate up with
pride. He might be helping himself now
theayters and dancin' kens as often as you
like, lush TO swim in, and guilds for his
piece. But the Gallus fool must grow
greedy; lie takes too big handful and row
and find himself! a covev VITA Bob's tastes,
too, mind We, aud one OF your gallus high
fiers TO rig out But he says he amt sorry
it's over. lie never felt comfortable. His
piece was always a-scOldDG and threatening
10 split If the swag worn't forthcoming;
and, damn her. she stumped him after all,
tor split she did, but not afOre she'd got
another Gully In tow, unbeknown to Bob,
you take your oath"
II heard Mieky Volkins." said the other,
"a falling RIl Flanders that - cOnRazpd in
a yarn with his old chum when they was
washing down. They scrubbed side by
side. Micky says the o d ehum's glad TO be
going abroad. The shore Work took 1t out
Of him, but the hulk gave satisfaction.
The feeding was beef, soup. mutton. spuds,
bread, porrdge ard ireaee. l lecolect the
boiling II a mans sick they put him on
sheeD'S head, eggs, soft puddens, tea and
butter, along with brandy and wine, which
they serve out by the bounce. Is that
sailors fare? Strike my eyes if it amt
gond enough TO go into irons fOr!"
There's only one sailor man among 'em,
Bob was a-saylug," said the first sailor.
Nv hos lie ~
Didn't hear his name. Jagged for scut-
Ting vessel. Gallus good job If the old
man tTed it on with his shin. EYerythins's
wrong. All the work comes upon a few;
what's good goes below; what's sinking is
sent forward. Well. | never shipped eX-
pectIng TO see Bob, and Pm game 10 swap
places II they'll consent Look what's
done for 'emi Prayer meetings, eddicatiun
up TO the knocker. doctor to physlc 'eni
IL man grOwls he's spoke to as a man.
One OF the conyicts complained to the doc
tor of the cooking. The gent shifted and
tasted, said the man was right and wigged
tile gallus cook. Let e'er one Of US lay aft
and what's a-gOlng 10 happen p
The conversation was at this point inter-
rupted by the second sailor beginning TO
sneeZe. He sneeZed about twenty times
with a great roaring noise. Mr.. Balls came
to the edge of the furecastle and cried down.
"Withered If there amt grampus jumped
aboard! The fit of sneezing passed and
the fellow lighted his pipe afresh and the
men resumed their conversation.
KS gallus queer" said the first speaker,
that there should be only one sailor among
EN-
"One navigator perhaps" said the other.
well, that may be. | wish they was all
ships captains for my phrt-skipDers and
mates. I'm gallus glad wherever L hear a
shippers Jagged. But they're too leary,