The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-04-05
CHAPTER XII.

Aanu resembles q biscuit at which rats
have been njbbling. Eaten away by the
continual action of the ocean which
pouring round by east mi west, has di
vided the peninsula frora the mainland
of the Australasian continent. the shore
line IS broken and ragged. From the
sentinel solitude of the Iron Pot to the
smiling banks of New Norfolk, the river
winds in a Succession of reaches. mar.
rowing to a deep channel cleft between
rugged and towering cliffs.
The climate of Van Diemen's Land Is
one of the loveliest in the world. Lam
eeston Is warm. sheltered and moist; and
Hobart Town, protected by Bruny ISL
and and its archipelago of D'Encas-
treaux Channel and Storm Bay from the
vi ,lence Of the southern breakers. pre-
serves the mean temperature of Smyrna
while the district between these two
towns spreads in a succession of beau
tiful valleys, through which glide clear
and sparkling streams. But on the
western coast, from the steeple rocks
of Cape Grim to the scrub encircled
barrenness of Sandy Cape, and the
fr0wning entrance to Macquarie Har-
Dor, the nature of the country entirely
changes Along that iron bound shore,
all is bleak and cherries. Upon that
dreary beach the rollers of the s0atnern
sea complete their circuit of tue globe.
and the storm that has devastated the
cape, and united in its eastern course
with the icy blasts which sweep north
ward from the unknown terrors of the
southern pole. crashes unchecked upon
the Huon pine forests, and lashes with
rain the grim front Of Mount Direction.
Furious gales and sudden tempests
alright the natives Of the coast. Nav
igation is dangerous. and the entrance
TO the "Helrs Gates Of Macquarie
Harbor is only &c be attempted in calm
weather.
"Hel's Gates formed By a rocky
point. which runs abruptly northward
almost touches. on its eastern side. O
projecting arm of land which guards the
entrance TO Kings river. In the mid
die of the gates is an island. which,
lying on a sandy bar in the very Jaws
of the current. creates a double whirl
pool. impossible to pass in the toughest
weather. The headquarters of the set
Element were placed on an island not
far from the mouth of this i~nhospitable
river, called Sarah Island.
Sarah Island is long and low. The
commandments house was built in tbs
center, having the chaplain's house and
barracks between it and the Jail. The
hospital was on the west shore. and in
"a line with it lay the two penitentiaries
Lines of lofty palisades ran round thu
settlement, giving it the appearance OF
a fortified town. These palisades were
built for the purpose of warding OF the
terrific blasts of wind, which, shriekins
through the long and narrow bay a.
through the keyhole of a door. had in
former times torn of roofs, and lev.
eled boat sheds. The little town wa.
set. as it were, in defiance of nature
at the very extreme of civilization. and
its inhabitants maintained -perpet,ra
warfare with the winds n waves.
But the jail of Sarah Island was no,
the only prism in this desolate region
At a little distance from the mainland
is a rock. over the rude side of which
the waves lash in rough weather. Or
an evening in December, as the sun wa
sinking behind the tree tops on the lef1
side Of the harbor. the figure of a mar
appeared on the top of this rock. III,
was clad in the coarse garb Of a con
vice. and wore round his ankles two
iron rings, connected by a short and
heavy chain To the middle Of this chair
a Ieathern strap was attached, which
splitting in the form of a T, buckled
round his waist, and pulled the chair
high enough 20 prevent him from STUN
bling over it as he walked. His head
was bare. and his coarse, blue stripet
shirt, open at the throat, displayed an
embrowned and muscular neck. Emery
ing from out a sort Of cell, or den. con
trived by nature or arr in the side oil
the cliff, ne threw on a scanty fire
which burned between two followed
rocks, a small log of pine wood; and
then, returning to his cave, and bring
ing froSl il an iron pot which contained
water, be scooped with his toll hardened
hands a resting place for it in the ashes
and placed it on the embers- 1t wa.
evident that the cave was at nee his
storehouse and larder, and that the TIVE
followed rocks formed his kitchen.
Having thus made preparations fol
supper, he assembled a pathway which
led to the highest point of the rock. Hi,
letters compelled him to take short steps
and. as he walked. he WINGED as though
the iron bit him. A handkerchief OF
strip of cloth wes twisted round his lefl
ankle, on which the circlet had chafet
a sore. Painfully and slowly he gained
his destination, and, flinging himself OF
the ground, gazed around him. A brif
was being towed up the harbor by two
convict-manned boats.
The sight of this brig seemed to rouse
in the mind of the solitary Of the roel
a strain CT reflection, for, sinking hi:
chin upon his hand, he fixed his eyes OF
the incoming vessel, and immersed him
self in moody thought. The ship an
cho-ed, the boats detached themselve'
from her sides, the sun sunk. and the baJ
was plunged In gloom Lights began tt
twinkle along the shore of the settle
ment The little fire died, and the water
b the iron pot grew cold; yet the watch