Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-08-19
CHAPTER VI.

someone was singing WeSt-countFy
ditty. There was a pause in the sing
ing. and the striking of several blows
with rough hoe, to the destruction of
weeds in a coffee plantation; while, as the
cheps of the hoe struck the clods of earth.
the letters worn by the striker gave forth
fai Il clinks.
oh, say, Abel, mate; don't, lad,
don't"
Don't what?" said Abel Dell, resting
upon his hoe. and looking up at big Bart
Wrigley. clothed like himself, armed with
a hoe, and also decorated with letters,
as he stood wiping the perspiration fron
his forehead
Don't sing that there old song 1T do
make me feel so unked."
linked, Bart? Well, what if it does
These are unked days."
''Ay; but each time you sings that ]
seem to see the rocks along by the shore
at home, with the ivy hanging down, and
the sheep feeding, and the sea rolling in,
and the blue sky. with gulls a-hying; and
it makes me feel like a boy again, and,
big as ] am, as if / should cry"
Always We're like a big boy, Bart.
Hoe away, lad; the overseer's looking"
Bart went en- chopping weeds, diligently
following his friends example, as a sour
looking, yellow-faced man came by in
company with soldier loosely shoulder
ing his musket But they passed by with
out speaking, and Abel continued:
There's sea here. and blue sky and
sunshine"
"Ay." said Bart; there's sunshine hot
enough to fry a mack'rel. Place is right
. -
home, Abel. it aren't home"
Home, no" said the young man, saw
sgely. but we have 10 home. She
spoiled that"
''Ah. you're a hard 'un, Abel, remark
ed Bart, after time.
Yes; and you're a soft 'un, Bart She
could always turn you round her little
finger"
"Ay, bless her; and she didn't tell on
us"
Yes, she did" said Abel, sourly; and
he turned back upon his companion. and
toiled away to hide the working Of his
face.
TIE sun shone down as holly as it can
shine IN the West Indies, and the larse
shirts the young men wore showed
pa eehes of moisture where the perspira-
ton came through, but they worked on,
for the labor deadened the misery in
their breasts.
How long have We been here, matey
said Bart, after a pause.
Dunno replied Abel, ferceiy.
How long viii they keep US in this
here placer said Bart. after another in
terval, and he looked from the beautiful
shore at the bottom Of the slope on which
they worked 10 the cluster of stone and
woodruff buildings. which formed the
prison and the station farm. with factory
and mill. all worked by convict labor,
while those in the neighborhood were
managed by blacks.
Abel did not answer. only sc, ed
fercely; and Bart sighed and repeated
his question.
ETH we die.a said Abel. savagely;
"saE,e as we've seen other fellows die
OF fever, and hard work, and the lash.
Curse the captain, Curse"
Bart clapped one hand over his com
panions lips, and he held the other be-
hind his head. dropping his hoe to leave
fun liberty to act.
II never Quarrels with you. Abel. lad,
he said. shortly; -but il you says words
again that poor geIl. I'm going TO fight
and that won't do. Is il easy
Abel seemed disposed 10 struggle: but
he gave in, nodded his head. and Bart
locsed him and picked up his hoe. just as
the overSeer. who had COME softly up
behind. brought down the whip he car
RED with singing violence across the
shoulders Of first one and then the other.
The young men spraag round savage
"; but there was a sentry clo-@> behind,
musSet-armed aud with bayouet fixed,
and they knew that fifty soldiers were
within cali. and that II they struck their
tAskmaster down and made for the jungle
thsy would be hunted ont with dogs. be
shot down Ike Wild beasts. or Gle OF
starvation. as other untortun2teS had
died before them.
There vas nothing for i but TO resume
their labor and hoe 10 the clanking of
their fetsers, while. after q promise Of
what was 10 follow. IN the shape Of tying
up 70 the triangies. and the cat. L they
quarrele6 again. the overseer went On 10
see 20 the others OF his sock.
Its worse thar q dogs hfe.@ said
Abel. bitterly. a dog does ser peSted
as web as kicked. Bart, Lad, Tn sorry
I got you that lash"
Nay. Lad: never mind, said Bart.
''Iin sorry for yous but don't sTeak hard
things Of Mary"
~I-n try not" said Abe. - he hced
away excitedly. "hus hope this coffee
We grow may poison those who drink il.
Bart was close up TO q dense patch Of
forSt-one wild tangie % cane and creep
Or. which literally lied the tai tzses 90