The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-15
ON A RUSSIAN CONVICT SHIP.
How the Time Is Spent on the Way I'd
the Island of SaghaIien.

From the London Mail
The sailing of a Russian convict ship
from Odessa for the island of Saghaln. in
the Japan sea, is always an impressive
sight. The motley crowd, indigenous 20
all countries, is of course present. but
there are in addition many government Of
ficials, full of Importance in their emblaz-
oned uniforms. and more numerous menu
bers of the clergy attending to perform the
ceremony of sprinkling the ship with holy
water and 10 give the inmates a parting
blessing and a God-speed. Nothing is done
in holy Russia without the help Of th9
priests, and a Russian is bathed in holy
water from the cradle to the grave.
The religious ceremony over it is with
cargo Of heavy hearts that the convict snip
usually built at Glasgow, by the way
weighs anchor and departs, for even .
hardened convict would prefer serving MS
sentence on his native sol to draA-
ging out his existence in a distant foreign
land. But, however, that may be, the ac-
commodation for the thousand or mora
convicts on board is ample, and the ar
engagements for their wel-bcing complete
The food provided is good and wholesome
and it is not an infrequent thing for peo-
pie in the saloon-the convict ship carries
ordinary passengers as well as state prs
oners-to ask for convict soup and rye
bread.
All the convicts are in letters, wrist and
ankle bracelets with a connecting chalh'
this and their half-shaved heads present
ing most hideous appearance. The da'lg
routine on board is unvarying; THEREFOR,
to change the monotony the prisoners
have resort TO all kinds of devices TO mahe
the time pass away as pleasantly as 'He
circumstances will allow. Most lower ciaSS
Russians are born card players so w
convicts collect all the odd scraps OF pa-
per they can lay their hands on. Clu"s
and spades are roughly scrubbed on thes9
slips with the ink supplied for letter-"I"
ing purposes, while TO provide hearts ana
diamonds Of the requisite color one "
more Of the company consents to nave
vein opened. This delicate operation Is per-
formed with the aid Of the tin spout OF
tea can, ground to a sharp edge on l"o
iron deck. This improvised lancet also does
duty as razor, serving to remove the
naming hair from the head Of some de'ous
follower Of Islam. The stakes Of the cur
players are knobs Of sugar saved by ils"
Gus economy &C the tea table; when the7s
fail. bones ana other odds ana ENDS ''0
substituted.
on the fifteenth day at sea the letters arc
removed. This Is, indeed, a day OF I'J"'
ing and tho most hardened criminal EN'
vent TO n Sigh OF relief at being rel'''
from these hateful embems Of bondage
The coveted freedom Is not. however -
long duration. A poor inofensive Crim,Hn
Tartar accidentally treads on the foot p. =
regular cut-throat villain. 10 be seized ~ ~
mediately by the throat. The cry is
stantly raised that the Mohammedans ~
killing the Christians. a general melee 80
sues. On which racial hatred Is given ~
play. The guard is called out, ana turN.s
on the hot water hose pipes when
kept ready Tor any emergency, soon 80
che c0mbatants The ringlcader Us Pm
IA irons, and put on dry bread ana W.
Tor fourteen days The Tartar ~ carr.
more dead than alive 10 the hospital -
the rest. guilty and innocent alike
kept 30 chains and shaclics Tor enc TO-
OF The voyage.