Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-08-04
FOR The Term of Ills Natural Life
BY MARCUS CLARKE
CHAPTER XXI
MARCUS CLARKE


man of about twenty years of age, thin
fair and delicate. His name was Kirk
land. and he belonged to what were
known as the educated" prisoners. HI
had been clerk in a 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 "lucky" one. So,
doubtless, ii was and might have been,
had not an untoward accident occurred.
Captain Burgess. who was a bachelor Of
the "old school," confessed an anliable
weakness for swearing. kirkland be-
longed to Methodist family, and owned
piety 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 sin
subordination."
He was received with suspicion by the
gang, who did not like white-handed
prisoners. Troke by way of expert
ment In human nature, perhaps, placed
him next to Gabbett When the muster
bell 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-
Wet. Instead of placing him In a cell by
himself, Troke was turning him into the
yard with the others.
m not to go in thereY says the ex-
pank clerk, drawing back In dismay from
the cloud OF foul faces which lowered
upon him.
But you are, them" says Troke. '"The
governor says night In there'n take the
starch out OF yer. Come, in yer GO"
Let him out, watchmang said North, |
who happened by.
Cant, sir, without an order from the
commandant"
Il order you, sirr' North cried, indig-
nant
very sorry, your reverence; but your
reverence knows that darent 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 dormltory.
rake that!' he cried, dealing Kirk
land blow on the head with his KEYS.
that stretched him senseless. "There's
more trouble with you aristocrats than
enough. Lie quietr'
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 I'D
because prisoner set up a bowling.
North returned to the prison discon-
solately, found the dutiful Hailes at his |
post, and all quiet. whats become of |
KirklandT" he asked.
"Fretted 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
hrKiand. His face was of greenish |
unt' and wore an expression of bewil- |
dered horror.
"Oheer up, mani" said Dawes, touch |
cd with momentary pity. Its no good
being In the mopes, you know"
What do they do if you try to bolt?"
whispered Kirkland.
XIII you" returned Dawes. in a tone
OF surprise at SO preposterous cues
ton.
THANK Godp' 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 beggar"
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.
Halt, you young fool"' roared Troke,
raising his carbine. But Kirkland kept
steadily on for the river Just az he
reached 1t, 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
Cor this" cries Troke. you'll sea II
you won't remember this day"
"OA, 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 hide'u feel for this
see IL It don'tr'
kirkland only breathed harder. and
looked round for Mr.. North; but M
North had gone. The new chaplain wa.
to arrive that afternoon, and 1t was IN
cumbent on the old one to be present a,
the reception.
Trsks reported the ex-bank clerk tia,
night to Burgess, and Burgess, who wa,
abeut TO 90 to dinner with the new char
lain, disposed of his case out of hand
Tried to bolt. Ell! Must stop that
Fifty lashes, Troke. Pick out som
likely man, will you. That last felloy
you had ought to have been tied n
@urself. His logging wouldn't hav