The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-12-22


neved MIN Internationally, at any
rate-of the crime he was said to have
committed. Among a gang of poach,
erS one night, he, their superior liz
rank, had had the misfortune to shoot
one OF the Keepers who had watched
Tor them and attacked them. The shot
| mad Killed the keeper, but there was
some doubt as to whose gun it had
come from, and when the convict in
question was arrested and charged the
keepers SWore that he had fired the
shot. For himself, he knew not whether
this was so. Several of his fellow
poachers said he was innocent and that
the real culprit had escaped. His SEN
tence, however, was that of penal SER
vitude ait Botany bay for life-probably
the doubt alone saved him from being
| hanged.
Naturally his spirit was CALLED; he
became morose, wild, severe in aspect
as in temper, and his reputation on the
| convict ship was that of the worst
criminal on board. He rebelled at his
Jailers, at his food, at his confinement,
and felt ready for any dark deed. The
chance soon came The vessel was off
the cape of Good Hope, some miles
away, when he first got knowledge of
projected mutfny, i'm which the cap
tain, crew and jailers were all to be
murdered; and the successful mutineer-
ing convicts were then to steer for
some unknown point in Africa and
land there.
1t was a desperate scheme, and
with the mutiny he was thoroughly in
unison, but not with the murder. He
was not yet as black as that, and tried
hard to dtssuade his fierce companions
from it, but in vain. AS they persisted
in their plans, he felt that all he could
do was to keep quiet till the time for
action came; but the captain and his
wife had been really kind to him, and
he determined they should not die. Yet
he would not betray his companions,
like a coward.
"On September the attack was
made He stood near the captains
cabin to protect its unsuspecting in
mates When the mutineers, having
seized the watch on deck and killed
them. came rushing down, he ordered
them back from that cabin; they re-
fused to go and a fight ensued. The
captain became reused, the alarm was
given, and, after a desperate resist
ance, the rebels were overpowered a, d
put in irons. The captain begged of
the guards to set the convict who had
saved his life at liberty, but they de-
clined, pretending that, in reality he
was as bad as the rest. So he was
closely guarded.
1T was on touching at Perth that
the captains opportunity came. Hav-
ing secured the cooperation of his
mates, he entertained the whole of the
guards to dinner one evening, and made
them hopelessly drunk. In the mean
time, one of his party conrtrived to Sc
cure possession of their keys, and in a
few moments the convict's irons had
been loosened and he was free. The
captain himself came and shook hands
with him ere he sent him off in the
boat which was waiting for him.
I know said he, that what have
done for you is risky, and may cost me
if my part is discovered;
but you saved my life, so I will take
ing penal Servitude. All / have to say
to you is, get away from the coast af-
ter you have landed, as soon as posi-
bic, change your name and appearance
as much as you can; go into some non
est business, and though it is not like
ly, if ever l do hear of you again, let
it be in such a way that will do you
credit, and repay me for giving you
your freedom tonight.
'"The tears stood in the convict's
eyes as he thanked his benefactor and
grasped his hand.
Sir, 1 shall take your advice. My
little bit of good was almost gone by
the brutal treatment / have suffered
for I don't think [ killed that game
keeper but even if I did, it was purely
accidental You have proved to me
that all the kindness and gratitude are
not yet gone out of the world, and l
hope some day to be able to show you
how / appreciate it,
"Within few minutes more the boat |
had landed him on the mainland. He
watched it return to the ship and then |
departed.
at was six years after this that,
with money made in sheep farming, |
Joseph Turmoil, the former convict. |
turned up at Ballarat just as the flrst |
rush of the gold fever occurred. 1t |
was Turnell who bought the great tract
Of land which was afterward discov-
cred to be almost wholly gold under |
the surface, and who sold it, after get
ting some thousands out of it, for a
very large sum. But nobody in Eng
and or Australia. when Joseph Tur-
lelrS name was mentioned, ever
thought for a moment that he was the
escaped convict about whom such a
stir had been made at home, both on
lis escape, and later, when dying
ramp confessed that it was his gun
hot that memorable night which killed
he keeper.
Joseph Turnell was wealthy, and
rad married a dear girl in Victoria,
Who had borne him a daughter ere she
led. Need go on, Emily? You have
.uessed it all! He came to England
nd took the name of Harry Vane, ow-
ng to having had some estates left
i'm, as he told his friends; in reality,
D throw any chance old acquaintance :
if the scent. There is no fear now of
ny discovery or diSagreeable thing
appening. I felt nervous the first
ear or two, but now the only two who
now all this are you and /, for even
ne good old captain is dead. So, you l
ae, [ was imprisoned unjustly, after I
II. but it has turned out a good thing
,r me in the end. And. now you have
-ealth and beauty, wanted, for my
yvn ambition, to see you lady by ]
tie and position, and the Earl of Sea- !
roft could have no finer countess nor Y
on more desirable husband" t
She sat pale and agitated, yet snil- r
lg now, for was not her dear father 1
zee of that awful, even if unintention- Y
|, crime which had made her feel so /
ok as he told her the story?
$50 you think I must choose Lord
eacroft?' asked she.
NAY" replied Mr.. Vane; II have
,arcely done yet. Hear the rest and I
noose for yourself As you know now. :
Il I have owe to that good captain >
~ freedom, my wealth, my fair fame.
promised-and God knows I have
mily, that captains name was HUI
ert Wells, and this Mr.. Hubert Wells
his son. I found out all easily by Z
~ agents. 1 have never repaid the
Interviewer cannon the mother,
ther. for what they did My own ]