The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-05

this ship to the authorities Of Botany
Bay will count for much in my favor.
I'm thinking, sir. that il all goes well
and you see me trying to do what's
right you'll overlook the past and be
willing to speak in my favor.
THAT will be the business OF the doc
tor or the captain" replied, "but l
certainly shall not refuse to do what
may come in my way"
; Thanks, sir. spoke to you instead
of the captain for the reason that we
were mixed up in the case back there
and because I tried to swear your life
away. That's ALL and while / know you
can't forgive me as a man, do hope
YOU may find it in your heart to give
me show as a convict under sentence
for life and never TO see his native coun-
try again. ="
You will want to know what impress
sion his penitence made ON me. Sailors
are neither hard hearted nor oversus-
picious as a class, but / should have had
a more favorable opinion Of Ben john
son and my mind would also have been
easier about things below deck had he
not sought the interview. As matter
of fact did not believe word he said.
His past career, his present demeanor,
the very tone in which he spoke. made
me doubtful Of his sincerity. No man
can point me out case where yillainy
has been whipped out Of a mans heart
through his hide. was satisfied that
the man was playing part which
would come TO the surface later on, and
his PROMISES and protestations did not
cause me to relax my vigilance one Jot.
II I have given you the idea that
was carving most of the burden on my
shoulders, let me explain that as mate
of the ship my responsibilities were not
confined to caring for the craft durlng
INV watch. Knowing as we did that the
1 doctor was not to be fully trusted, had
tn have an eve out in his direction. Ii
was one of my duties to make daily
inspection of the food furnished the
convicts. had to make daily exami-
nation of the cages between decks. In
company with the doctor / had to over
see the gangs while they were being
bathed or washed down on deck. The
government required daily reports from
the ships officers as well as the doctor
ON several matters. Then, you will re-
member. was part owner OF the bark
and financially interested in the voyage,
and You may guess the fact OF Mary
Williams being aboard did not serve &c
lessen my anxieties.
We had run south until of the Hotten
tot coast, carrying favorable winds anc
fine weather and having no more trouble
with our convicts, when something like
n tragedy happened one afternoon. Tbs
breeze died away soon after noon, leav
ING the ship lazily heaying on the
ground swell We had among the prs
opers a young man named Edgar Davis
I'm one way and another by that time
had come to know what particular
crime most every one was guilty Oh
Davis offense was passing forget
check. He belonged to No gang. ant
I had picked him out from the first a
beino of the better class at home. Whei
called upon TO give his trade. he replies
that he had none, being salesman II
a silk store for several years previous O
b;s conviction. He stated that he was
good penman, however. and asked 70 o
allowed some light work OF that sor
owing TO his poor state of health. Afto
a couple Of weeks the doctor detaile'
him TO ali out the various blanks re
ouired by the government and later o.
I turned over part Of my work to him
He was q quiet spoken young man, ANT
the three or four months he had bee'
imprisoned had broken down his health
There was no doubt in his own min
that consumption had . fast hold O
Davis told me his stozy one day. b