Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-02-09

III am SORRY for that"
this ship 10 the authorities Of Botany
Bay will count for much in my favor.
I'm thinking, sir, that If all goes well
and you see me trying to do whats
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, 1 replied, "but
certainly shall not refuse to do what
may come in my way.
Thanks, sir. spoke 10 you instead
Of the captain for the reason that we
were mixed up in the case back there
and because | tried to swear your life
away. That's all. and while / know you
can't forgive me as "A man, l do hope
you may find il in your heart to give
me show ~ a convict under sentence
for life and never to see bis native coun-
try again.
You will want 10 know what impress
sion his penitence made on me. Sailors
are neither hard hearted nor oyersus-
picious 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 aword he said.
II I have given you the idea that /
was carrying most of the burden on my
shoulders, let me explain that as mate
Of the ship my responsibilities were not
confined tn caring for the craft during
my watch. Knowing as We did that the
doctor was not TO be- fully trusted, had
TO have an eye out in his direction. It
was one OF my duties to make a daily
inspection Of the food furnished the
conyicts. 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
We had run south until off the Hotten-
tot coast, carrying favorable winds and
fine weather and having no more trouble
with our convicts, when something like
tragedy happened one afternoon. The
breeze died away soon after noon, leav-
ing the ship lazily heaving ON the
ground swell. We had among the pris-
oners "a young man named Edgar Davis.
In one way and another by that time
had come to know what particular
crime most every one was guilty Of
Davis offense was passing forged
check. He belonged TO No. gang. and
| had picked him out from the first as
being of the better class ut home. When
called upon to giye his trade, he replied
that he had none, being salesman In
silk store for several years previous to
his conviction. He stated that he was
good penman, however, and asked TO be
allowed some light work OF that sort
owing 10 MS poor state Of health. After
couple Of weeks the doctor detailed
him to fill out the various blanks re-
quired by the government, and later ON
turned over part Of my work to him.
He was a quiet spoken young man, and
the three or four months he had been
imprisoned had broken down his health.
There was no doubt in his own mind
that consumption had fast hold on
him.
Davis told me his story one day. he
had presented the check and got the
money for another. having no idea that
anything was wrong. Icannot recall all
the particulars at this late day, but | am
free to say that his story impressed me
as being truthful. He had been sem
fenced for ten years. He did not as
sume the role Of q martyr, az most con-
victs do, nor did he revile judge and
Jury, as is the usual course. In fact, Be
made na complaint. not even OF his
sickness, and though he was granted
special favors it was not because he had
first asked for them. Well, on this aft
ernoon of the calm, while everything
was very quiet aboard, the attention OF
several Of the sailors was attracted TO
monster shark alongside, and after
bit we all crowded to the port rail for
, look. The fish was fully 10 feet long
and on the lookout for his dinner. Had
we been o merchant vessel Jack would
have been allowed to drop over hook
and have frolic with his old enemy,
but the nature of our ''cargo" prohibit
ed any such excitement. We had been
watching the shark for ten minutes, and
its presence was known to all on deck,
though the convicts were not allowed to
leave their work to look at him, when
there was sudden rush along the deck,
q shout, u splash, and we were horrified
to see Davis, the convict, struggling In
the water. No, he was not struggling.
Az he c,me to the surface he whiried
over on his back, folded his arms and
| waited for the shark to take him. A
dozen men cried out. and dozen men
ran about, but the fact was that moth
| ing coald be done. Two ropes which
were thrown fell right across Davis
breast, but he threw them of. The or
der was given to lower boat, but be-
fore the fails had been cleared the shark
made a rush and drew the poor fellow
down to be seen no more.
fro BE CONTINUED