The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-07-12
cHApTER xxyr.

y
the escape of Rex, the Office of COM
mandant at Norfolk Island became va
cant. 1t was offered to Maurice Frere.
who. much against the wishes of his
wife, accepted it. On his arrival he
found Mr.. North occupying the position
of chaplain there. having been trans
ferred from Port Arthur some time pre-
viously. He found also Rufus Dawes,
who had been sent there by the authori-
ties as last resource.
Though the house of the commandant
was comfortable and well furnished. and
though. of necessity, all that was most
hideous in the discipline of the place
was hidden. the loathing with which Syl-
via had approached the last and most
dreaded abiding place Of the elaborate
convict system. under which it had been
her misfortune TO live, had not decreas-
ed. The sights and sounds of pain and
punishment surrounded her. She could
not look out of her windows without a
shndder.
II wish, Maurice. we had never come
here she said, piteously. These un-
happy men will do you some frightful
injury one of these days"
aStuffr' said her husband. They've
not the courage. I'd take the best man
among them, and dare him to touch me.
Jenkins. | sayw The convict servant
entered. '&Where is the charge hook
I've told you always TO have it ready
for me. Why don't you do as you are
told? Give me the book" Taking ii
and running his finger down the leaves.
he commented on the list of offenses to
which he would be called upon in the
morning to mete out judgment.
miles Byrne. not walking fast
enoueh-We must enliven Mr.. Byrne.
Thomas Twist, haxing a pipe and strik-
ing a light. w. Barnes, not In place at
muster: says he was washing himself
I'll wash him. John Richards. missing
muster and insolence. John Catchy. in
science and characterization James
Hopkins, insolence. Rufus Dawes, gross
insolence, refusing to work. All. we
must look after you You are a parsons
man, are you? I'll break your spirit
my man, or I'll-Sylvia! Your friend
Dawes Is doing credit to his bringing
up"
"What do you mean?"
THAT villain and reprobate. Dawes
She interrupted him. Maurice,
wish you would not use such language.
You know dislike it, She spoke
coldly and sadly, as one who knows that
remonstrance is vain, and Is yet con-
strained to demonstrate.
"Oh. dear! My Lady Proper. How
refined we are gettingp
There, l did not mean to annoy you.
said she. YEARLY. '.Don't let us quarrel
for goodness sake"
The insubordination of which Ruff:
Dawes had been guilty was insignificant
1t was the custom of the newly fedged
constables of Captain Frere to enter the
wards at night, armei with cutlasses
trapping about, and making a greai
noise. The men in Dawes gang were
often searched more than once in 9
night. searched going to work. searched
at meals, searched going to prayers
searched coming out, and this in the
toughest manner.
Now, Rufus Dawes, holding aloof, as
was his custom, from the majority of hi:
companions, had made one friend-if Sc
mindless and battered an old WRECK
could be called a friend-Blind Mooney
One of the many ways in which Rufus
Dawes had obtained the affection OF ths
old blind man was the gift of such frag
ments of tobacco as he had himself from
time to time secured. Troke knew this
and on the evening in question hit upor
an excellent plan. Admitting himself
noiselessly into the beat shed, where thu
gang SLEPT. he crept close to the sleeping