Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-12-31
DAILY SHORT STORY
Captured by Conyicts.

copyright. 1902, by II. l.. Harold.l
We had discharged our cargo at
Georgetown from the brig Albatross
and were ready TO start on. our return
voyage to Liverpool when the captain
was notified that ten French convicts
from the penal settlement of Cayenne
had escaped TO sea in yawl.
Three days later and 12O miles to the
south our lookout sighted the craft and
her convict crew. In Il quarter of an
hour the yawl lay off our port bow
within speaking distance.
Hello, captain! Our ship went down
off here Oointing to the east yesterday
afternoon. We have neither food nor
drink. and we ask you, in the name of
humanity, TO supply us"
Il have nothing to spare. and 1 warn
you to keep on" shouted the captain
in answer TO the request.
We had seen no arms among them
and had supposed them 10 be without
weapons of any sort. To our great sur
prise. five muskets, taken from the
guard when they escaped. were sud
denly lifted into view. while four oars
dropped into the water, and the yawl
made for our bows. There was Il fierce
yell from every convict. and those with
muSketS opened fire. Captain Rothsay
was killed and the second mate wound
ed even before they had hooked on
We scalded them with boiling water
and fought them with whatever we
could lay hold of, but within five min
utes the brig was captured. We had a
foremost hand killed in the fight ON
deck, and none of us escaped injury.
AS an offset we killed two of the con-
victs while they were trying to board.
AS chief officer | was asked about
our cargo and destination, and on the
other hand the leader informed me
that they were sorry to interrupt our
voyage, but intended to use the brig
to make good their escape
The first thing was to get rid of the
dead bodies. They allowed us to sew
them in canvas before they went over
board, and then our wounded men
were made comfortable. After the
burial the leader said to us:
I'VE mean you 10 harm. We are des-
perate men and intend to make our es-
cape. After we have been landed in
some safe place you may sail away
with your brig. If you try to deceive
us, we will show you no mercy"
l was further Informed that / must
act as captain and navigate the brig,
and 1 was allowed to choose II mate
from among my men. After that
council was held among the eight of us
as to what place should be steered for.
/ brought them the charts from the
cabin, and after long debate it was
decided to run for the Amazon river.
From the very first L had hoped that
we might retake the brig. but the con-
victs would only trust us so far. The
watches were so divided by order of
Moran that our men were separated,
and two of the convicts were kept I'M
der arms to act as sentries. Moran
and the second mate had quarters aft
with me, while all the others berthed
forward. All of us were under sur
yeillance and no two of us were ever
left alone together. While none of
them could take the wheel, they Kept
constant watch on the compass.
The winds were light and variable,
and it was the sixth day after our cap
ture before we drew in with the coast.
Moran's orders were to avoid Para by
entering the north mouth, and when
we were fairly in the river he told me
their plans. L was to take them in the
brig up as far as the mouth of the
Xingu river, and they then would pull
up the stream in the yawl and make
for the diamond district We were not
above thirty miles up the river when
we were obliged to come TO anchor for
want of a breeze. About the time we
anchored the demeanor of the conyicts
seemed to change for the worse. 1t
appeared as if three or four of them
were anxious to pick a quarrel with
our men. That evening the second
mate found opportunity to say to me:
Depend upon. ii. : Mr.. Lenox. they