Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-08-17

enough-We must enliven Mr.. Byrne.
Ihomas Twist, haxing a pipe and strik-
ing light. w. Barnes, not in place at
muster; says he was washing himself
III wash him! John Richards, missing
muster and insolence. John Catchy, in
science and insubordination. 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 Tll-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 l 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 gettingw
There, did not mean to annoy you,"
said she, wearily. Don't let us quarrel,
for goodness sake"
The insubordination of which Rufus
Dawes had been guilty was insignificant
1t was the custom of the newly fledged
constables of Captain Frere to enter the
wards at night, armed with cutlasses,
tramping about, and making great
noise, The men in Dawes gang were
otten searched more than once in a
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 his
companions, had made one friend-if so
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 the
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 upon
an excellent plan. Admitting himself
noiselessly into the boat shed. where the
gang slept, he crept close to the sleeping
Dawes, and counterfeiting Moneys
mumbling utterance, asked for "some to-
bacco." Rufus Dawes was but half
awake, and Droke felt something put
into his hand. He grasped Dawes arm.
and struck light. He had got his man
this time. Dawes had conveyed to his
fancied friend a piece of tobacco almost
as big as the top joint of his little fin
ger.
One can understand the feelings of
man entrapped by such base means.
Rufus Dawes no sooner saw the hated
face of Warder Troke peering over his
hammock than he sprang out, and, ex-
erting to the utmost his powerful mus
cles, knocked Mr.. Troke fairly off his
legs into the arms of the incoming con-
stables. A desperate struggle took place,
at the end of which the convict, over
powered by numbers, was borne sense
less to the cells, gagged and chained
to the ring bolt on the bare flags. While
in this condition he was savagely beaten
by five or six constables. To this maim-
ed and manacled rebel was the COM
mandant ushered by Troke the next
morning
'Ha! ha! my man." said the COM
mandant. Here you are again, you see.
How do you like thisssort of thing?"
Dawes, glaring, makes no answer.
"You shall have fifty lashes, my man."
said Frere. We'll see how you'll feel
thenw
The fifty were duly administered and
the commandant called the next day.
The rebel was still mute. Frere gave
him fifty more lashes, and sent him the
next day to grind cayenne pepper. This
was a punishment more dreaded by the
convicts than any other. The pungent
dust filled their eyes and lungs, causing
them the most excruciating torments.
For man with a raw back the work
was one continued agony. In four days
| Rufus Dawes, emaciated, blistered,
| blinded, broke down.
Captain Frere, kill me at oncew he
said.
'No fear" said the other, rejoiced at
| this proof of his power. you've given
in; that's all wanted. Troke, take him
to the hospital"
The next day Frere visited him, COM
| plimented him on his courage, and offer
| ed to make him a constable. Dawes
turned his SCARED back to his torturer,
and resolutely declined to answer
II am afraid you have made an enemy
of the commandant," said North the next
day. "Why not accept his offer?'
| Dawes cast on him a glance of quiet
scorn. "And betray my mates? I'm
not one of that sort"
North pityingly implored the stubborn
mind to have mercy on the lacerated
body, but without effect. His own way
ward heart gave him the key to read
the cipher of this mans life. "a noble
nature ruined" said. he to himself
what Is the secret of his history?"
One day this bond was drawn so close
as to tug at both their heart strings
The chaplain had flower in his coat
Dawes eyed it with hungry looks and
as the clergyman was about to quit the
room, said, "Mr. North, will you give
me that rosebud?" North paused irres-
olutely, and, finally, as if after strug-
gle with himself, took 1t carefully from