Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-08-03
CHAPTER XXI.

1ar ana delicate. His name was~Kirk-
land, and he belonged to what were
known as the educated" prisoners. He
had been clerk in banking house. and
was transported for embezzlement.
though, by some, grave doubts as to his
guilt were entertained. The command
ant Captain Burgess, had employed him
as butler in his own house, and his fate
was considered a '1ucky" one. So.
doubtless, it was, and might have been,
mad not an untOward accident occurred.
captain Burgess, who was bachelor of
the old school" confessed an amiable
weakness for swearing. Kirkland be-
fonged to Methodist family, and owned
plety utterly out of place In that re-
gion' The language of Burgess made
MIN shudder, and one day he so far for
got himself and his place as to raise his
hands to his ears. ''I'll soon cure you
OF that! cried Burgess, and forthwith
ordered him to the chain gang for Gin
subordination."
he was received with suspicion by the
gang, who did not like white-banded
prisoners. Troke, by way of expert
menr IN human nature, perhaps, placed
MIN next to Gabbett. When the muster
Deu rang, and the gang broke up, Rufus
Dawes, on his silent way TO his separate
CELL observed a notable change of Gus
tom In the disposition of the new con-
vict. Instead of placing him in a cell by
himself, Troke was turning him into the
yard with the others.
I'm not to go in there p says the ex-
bank clerk, drawing back in dismay from
the cloud of foul faces which lowered
upon him.
But you are, then" says Troke. 'The
governor says a night in there'll take the
starch out Of yer. Come, in yer CO."
Let him out, watchmanv' said North,
who happened by.
Cant, sir, without an order from the
commandant
nant.
VERY sorry, your reverenve; but your
reverence knows that daren't do such a
thing"
North rushed away to the command
ant, and the instant his back was turned.
Hailes, the Waterman, flung open the
door and darted into the dormitory.
Take that!' he cried, dealing Kirk
land blow on the head with his KEYS,
that stretched him senseless. 'oThere's
more trouble with you aristocrats than
enough. Lie quiet!'
The commandant, reused from his
slumber, told Mr.. North that Kirkland
might stop where he was, and that he'd
thank the chaplain not to wake him up
because a prisoner set up bowling.
North returned to the prison discon-
solately' found the dutiful Hailes at his
post, and all quiet. whats become of
KirklandT' he asked.
ERECTED hisself to sleep, yer rever-
ence," said Hailes, in accents of par
entail concern. Poor chap! It's hard
for such young 'uns as he, sir"
In the morning Rufus Dawes, coming
to his place on the chain gang, was
struck by the altered appearance of
kirkland. His face was of a greenish
tint, and wore an expression of bewil-
dered horror.
Cheer up, mani! said Dawes, touch
ed with momentary pity. Its no good
being in the mopes, you know"
What do they do If you try to bolt 2"
whispered Kirkland.
xiii you," returned Dawes. in a tone
of surprise at SO preposterous a Ques-
ton.
'@Thank Godv' said Kirkland.
The work of the gang that afternoon
was the carrying of some heavy logs to
the water-side, and Rufus Dawes OBJ
served that Kirkland was exhausted
long before the task was accomplished.
They'll kill you, you little beggarw
said he, not unkindly.
He had hardly uttered the words
when the boy flung himself beneath the
log. In another instant the train would
have been scrambling over his crushed
body, had not Gabbett stretched out an
iron hand and plucked the would-be sui
eide from death.
Hold on to me-" said the giant. "I'm
big enough to carry double"
Kirkland uttered a cry, and then,
holding up his irons with his hands,
he started to run for the water.
HAT, you young fool!' roared Troke,
raising his carbine. But Kirkland kept
steadily on for the river. Just as he
reached it, however, the figure of Mr..
North rose from behind a pile of stones.
Kirkland jumped for the jetty, missed
his footing and fell into the arms of the
chaplain.
''You young vermin-you shall pay
for thisP' cries Troke. you'll see If
you won't remember this day."
"Oh, Mr.. North" says Kirkland,
''why did you stop me! I'd rather be
dead than stay another night in that
place"
you'll get it, my ladr' said Cab
bett, when the runaway was brought
back. "Your blessed hideTl feel for this,
see if it DON'T"
Kirkland only breathed harder, and
looked round for Mr.. North; but Mr..
North had gone. The new chaplain was
to arrive that afternoon, and it was in
cumbent on the old one to be present at