Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-01-28

A few hours later, when found oppor-
tunity to speak to her, told her Of
Haskell's observations and suspicious.
and che replied:
II think it at least very queer, Mr..
Tompkins. Up to the hour we left the
Cape both young women seemed to
make every effort TO win my friendship.
Since then they have almost avoided
me, and have been troubled for fear
unwittingly gave offense. So far as I
know and can judge both are intelli-
gent, respectable girls, and why they
should pursue this singular course is
more than can understand.
further learned from her that Miss
Foster had been quite thick with DR..
Haxton and spent more or less time in
the disrensary, and though Mary had
no opinion to offer it was plain to mo
that she was anxious and uneasy.
"Mr. Tompkins," she said "a was
about to turn away, "every precuution
has been taken against revolt. and the
discipline so far as can judge has been
increased rather than abated, but Of
course it is possible that trouble may
come. If the convicts were plotting re.
volt, how would they bring it about3'
''That is what worries me-" re-
piled. land why sought your assist
ance. While everything seems to be 60
ing right there is no telling what influ-
onces arc at work. If we had the right
sort Of doctor aboard and il hadn't
shipped that man York. should feel
great deal easier about thinga Should
there be q revolt it is hard to say just
how it will come. 1t may be at night,
when most Of US are asleep and totally
unprepared, or it may come when one
Of the gangs is on deck for exercise or
work"
"And suppose the oonvicts overpower
guards and crew and get possession OF
the bark9''
"Then God help u.s. Ben johnson as
the leader, would have his say about
thingA The captain, Haskell, myself
and others would not live an hour after
be took command, and as for You and"--
She stopped me with a gesture and
quietly said:
II will assist you in any way can.
None of the other people seems to be
worried, but for the last two days
have been almost convinced that there
was something wrong. will watch the
two young women and the doctor and
report to you.
II you are posted as to the sailing Of
ship, you will understand that while
Z OF hn m a
should have stood my watch. This
did not permit. but stood watch and
watch with him. had my interview
with Mary between and 8 O'Clock in
the evening At s / went below and
turned in for four hours. When came
on deck at midnight, took Haskell
and the third mate and went below to
examine tho cages. This was the first
midnight visit ever paid to the convicts
and produced great surprise. / had led
the way as quietly as possible, and
though all the convicts appeared to be
sound asleep when / looked into the
cages tho positions OF some Of them
were 30 unnatural that suspected they
had thrown themselves down only q
moment before. The man York was the
guard on duty between cages Nos.
and Q, and though he had face OF
brass I did not fail to detect signs Of
perturbation. found the cages all
right, but was perfectly satisfied that
minute before my descent York had
been holding conversation with some OF
the convicts. Had it been in his power
to let them on deck l should not have
found them snoring away and mutter-
ing in their dreams.
The midnight visit made no change
in our affairs, but gave me thought
to be acted on next day. Among the
crew was q man named Hawley. had
no fault to find with him as sailor,
but l had sized him up as the most SIM
pie minded man Of the lot. II could
20 at him right, could learn from
him the subject of talk in the forecastle.
Before noon next day, the man being
in my watch and the off watch below,
/ got him aft under pretenso of examin-
ing the cabin stores in the lazarette l
had placed bottle Of rum where he
could not fail to find it, and gave him
time to sample the stuff before follow.
ing him through the trapdoor. 1t
pleased mo to discover that he had
taken a liberal drink, and when the
stuff had been given time to loosen his
tongue carelessly inquired:
"That man York is considered very
smart man by all the crew, isn't he?"
Nobody could be smarter, sir" he
promptly replied ''If had o tenth Of
his smartness, wouldn't be where am
now, begin your humble pardon, sir. T"
HE has been in the goldfelds Of
Australia, hear?"
"All over 'em, sir, and has got some
thin like a ton Of the bloomin stuff
hidden away in hill. He dasn't bring
it out for fear Of robbers, but he can
lead the lot Of us straight to the spot
and is willin to divide. Plenty more
where that ton came from. All you've
got to do is to scrape of the surface
dirt, and there's the nuggets. Do you
mind my akin you a question, Mr..
Tompkins?"
"Go ahead.
II am no schollard, rs you know. If
had a lump Of gold as heavy as !
could carry ON my back, would be a
rich man1"
"Yes. fairly rich man, and I wish
you had such lump"