The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-06

eonvictsi'' I groaned, as 7 nnaiIy rea-
lized the situation.
And a worse thing might have hap
pened he replied with a laugh I'VE
haven't the slightest intention OF cap
turing your craft. Our only desire Is
TO work our passage to the north. We
have quite a quantity Of provisions
aboard our craft. and you win ind US
obeying orders ana maintaining the
best of discipline You are the mate.
proba bly,. Tt might be a good plan to
aEEake your captain and let US have 8
talk with him. There are indications,
as you must see. that this calm Will not
last another hour. Let US do every
thing quietly and in order,
descended to the cabin and aroused
the captain and in whispers informed
him of what had happened. He was of
an excitable nature, and il I had not
clapped my hand over his mouth he
would have aroused the women with
his EXPLANATIONS. I had to tell him
over and over again that the convicta
offered no violence, and that their
leader seemed to have them under per-
feet control, before 1 could quiet him.
He was shaking like a leaf when We
gained the deck, and he afterWard taio
me that he expected nothing less than
to be murdered out of hand.
$50 this is the captain" softly
asked the convict leader. ttLet me re-
assure you, sir. There shall be no VIC
lence here You are as safe as II In
your own home ashore
But you-you are convfetsi" ex-
claimed the captain, as he looked
around upon the gang.
Unfortunately, yes, but 1t does not
follow that we are beasts and brutes.F
Some of us may not have been guilty
of the crimes charged. I alone can
speak your language. I am the leader
Every man will obey my slightes
word. All we ask is that you give US
a passage to the north
How far to the north ?"
ITO any of the English islands in
the West Indies"
The man was speaking fairly, and
when one looked at him there could
be no mistake that he had been gentle
born. He had the face and speech Of
an aristocrat. His followers were Rnors
common looking men, but their faces
were not evil. The captains excite
ment quieted down after a little and
he reasoned 1t out that it was best to
give way. Indeed, there was no other
conclusion for a sensible man to come.
to. He looked at me and / gave him
a nod and then he said:
II will take you along ana trust in
what you say"
And I pledge you my word you
shall have no cause to regret It" re-
piled the leader, as he extended his
hand. GAS the weather is fine my men
can occupy the decks. I have a few
words to say to them"
With a gesture he called them
around him, and then for five minutes
he spoke in low but earnest tones.
As he used the French language. we
could not understand word. and yet
it was plain that he was giving them
orders and advice. While he was
speaking I suggested to the captain
that he be invited TO occupy spare
berth in the cabin, and this was ac-
coded to. When the invitation was exc
tended he accepted It as his due. but
with many thanks, and introduced
himself as Mr.. LEROY. Our sleeping
watch was reused up, the convicts,
boat unloaded and sent adrift, expIa-
nations made, and all done 50 quietly
that the sleeping women we're uoE
aroused. The first they knew Of the
affair was at breakfast time. Mean
while. the calm was broken II n1t6@
night and the bark was on her course
and Keeling off the knots.
In the morning watch carried one
of my suits of clothes 10 Le1roy's
stateroora, along with razor and 9TH
er things. When he came out to
breakfast and was introduced he was
all gentleman and no convict. He was
a good talker and natural entertain
er, and the women, who had expect
ed to meet william, were on friendly
footing within q quarter OF an hour
As for the other convicts, our men
fraternized with them at once. Sons
OF them were sailors and they prompt
ly turned to. Between our crew and
the captains s1op-chest all were fitted
out in other dress and their uniforms
thrown overheard. We had the crowd
with US for three weeks, and never a
man during that whole time caused rs
the slightest trouble.
AS for LEROY. all took the greatest
liking to him and were sorry when the
time came to part Just where we.
left them is a matter not to be be-
trayed, but they did not go from US
empty handed, and a chance was given
them to live better lives IN the future.
Copyright 1906, by Homer Sprague.l