Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-01-21
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person on board the convict snip knew
anything about navigation. The people
simply knew that the coast was to the
east Of them, and they held for it
through all sorts Of weather. A due
east coast would have landed them in
Damara Land, above Walfish river, but
the point they did reach was Cape st.
Mary, on tho Benguela coast, 600 miles
above.
With such batch of convicts in pos
session Of ship one might be prepared
to believe that drunkenness, fighting
and murder were the order Of the day.
Such was not the case, however. On
the contrary, good order and thorough
discipline were enforced. While all
were considered to be on an equality
and all were served with the same food
tho men had sense enough to realize
that any laxity was direct menace to
all. If retaken, every male convict
would be hung and every female get
life Imprisonment. All tho testimony
afterward secured went to show that
not one single pint Of rum was served
out, although there were 80 barrels Of
1t Oh board. On making the coast the
Albatross was run into river and put
up it for a distance of ten miles. The
people then landed, removed everything
from the ship and burned her. The plan
was to journey far inland and found o
settlement, but discussions begot dis
PENSIONS, and the crowd finally split up
into five or six parties and went their
respective ways. An English man n-of-
war, after long search, recaptured five
men and three women, while four other
men and two women reached st. Paul
de Loanda and gave themselves up. The
fate of the others is not known to this
day.
Many Of the passengers heard the
story told by Thomas. and most of the
particulars somehow reached the con-
victs within two or three days. We;
could not fail to perceive a change IN
their demeanor, and that change was
something to increase our burden OF an1-
iety. All convicts look upon themselves
Rs victims or martyrs. No batch OF men
pver sent out were receiving better treat
ment than ours. Instead of the doctor
being too severe, he was altogether too
lenient. The convicts made themselves
believe, however, that they were being
badly used. Three days after Thomas
came aboard they made a formal pro-
test that they were overworked. Ihe
doctor, acting on the advice OF the cap
tain, refused to take any action. AS
matter of fact, the convicts were not
busy half the time. Two days later they
made protest that their food was not
only bad, but insufficient in quantity.
The provisions furnished by the govern
mont were wholesome, and no real fault
could be found with the cooks.
Ben johnson had acted as spokesman
in both instances. No other ships doc
tor would have allowed him to open his
mouth On the second occasion DR.. Ha1-
ton, who had been coached by the cap
tain, made reply:
81 have seen fit to overlook this
breach of discipline but don't try 1t
again. The next protest you present will
bring you round dozen on the bare
back.
That seemed to end the matter The
captain, the doctor and others were in
clined to regard it as game OF blutf'
but it struck me that the fellows gave
in altogether too quick. My position as
mate made it impossible for me to play
the detective, but Haskell had the run
of the ship and kept his eyes and ears
omen. On the morning Of the fifth day,
after Johnson had presented his second
protest I came on deck at O'CLOCK III
the morning. About an hour later,
when the watch had settled down into
the routine, Haskell came out Of the
cabin smoking pipe and made excuse
that he was troubled with insomnia
He soon let me know that he wanted q,
word with me in private. The bark was
driving along before a steady breeze
and needed little watching, and present.
ly we got out of earshot OF the helms
man. Then Haskell said:
1.-THE three guards below will be re.
lieyed at 6 O'Clock. At O'Clock four
of them muster on deck to receive the
first gang, leaving three below. The,
four on deck will be re-enforced by two
sailors, who will receive their muskets
from Hooper. !
eyes, that is the programme an
swered, but having no suspicion OF what
was coming. !
"Evory sailor aboard is all right as
far as | know, " resumed Haskell. You
have spare muskets aft. When Hooper
musters his guards on deck, you must
be ready to replace tho four with sailors
and see that their muskets are loaded.
Give me two others, and we will take
the places of the guards below. Put the
whole guard under arrest and search ev-
cry man. When you come to examine
the muskets, you will discover that oil
arc unloaded. After taking care OF the
guards there should be an inspection OF
tho cages and the prisoners. They have
been using saws and files down below. "
Haskell spoke in such calm, cool
way that / looked at him in anger,
thinking he was inclined to joke. He
went on to explain that he had. been