River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-23

tenant was ordered off. When he had
been taken aboard. the schooner headed
away for the coast.
The dead were simply cast overheard.
/ but the cOuvicts asked our assistance
t. care for the wounded. That we gave
them. They had made such a good
fight for their liberty. and had shown
such moderation after the heat of the
battle. that we had "A better feeling
toward them. They did not swagger
about. as one might expect. hut uttered
a cheer rs the schooner turned tail, and
had but little TO say When the dead
wounded attended to. the leader of the
convicts said to Capt. Bright:
Il think YOU had better now proceed
Oh the voyage. but YOU will stand down
the coast until the schooner is ont of
sight. II overlauled again ", might
not be 50 lucky"
We ran to the south for ten miles.
then came about nd headed up the
coast. at the same time cdgiug further
out 10 sea. None Of Us wanted another
fight on his hands. and the captain
N - AtANAhME 70 AEaNAA tue L AAGiud tOA&s
sLd get rid of his visitors. Aswas after
ward ascer' a.ned. two other craft
were sent out from Cayenne in search.
but neither sighted us. From one Of
the wounded soldiers | gathered the
particulars of the escape of the con-
viCts. They were loading a vessel at
the wharf when the yawl was pulled in
bv some sailors from bark at anchor
mile away. There were six soldiers
guarding the conyicts. some on the
wharf aud some on the ship. and at
signal all were attacked. Only w were
Killed. but the other four suffered Sc
we're injuries. Before an alarm had
reached the prison sheds. half a mile
away, the convicjs had seized the yawl
and put 10 sea. They were pursued by
o.her small boats, but the yawl out
sailed them.
The wounded soldiers al first expected
% be put 10 death by the convicts. but
not man had even a harsh word for
them. II the fellows had bad liquor
there Is no telling how free they might
have made with TIE brig. hut as ii was
no lot Of passengers could have be-
haved better. One of them had few
hot words with the cook one day. and
the leader Of the gang walked Up to
him. and said:
Julius. We are not here 10 make
trouble. but 10 regain our liberty. Stop
this thing at once. II you can't rest
content. I will give you SIX inches Of
cold steel and throw your carcass TO the
sharks,"
The one sailor among them offered his
services and insisted on doing a sailors
work. while tAe rest Of them were al
ways a hand whenever there was pull
ing or hauling to be done. Not a ques-
ticu was asked as to the direction we
. we're steering; they took il for granted
that the captain would keep his word
The leader paced the deck with me for
TWO hours one night, and asked many
questions concerning the United States.
lie declared, and he seemed sincere,
that his crime was the killing of a man
under extreme provocation. and that he
intended 10 make an honest living in
The states. He said there were others
with the same intentions. but that
about half the gang were bad men and
would soon land II prison. Not one OF
the fellows had 2 penny. and all were
St.ll IL convict dress. How hey were
TO mansge without stripping torcassle
! sRs cabin could nc, squire GU. TAs