Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-10-13
For The Term of His Natural Life
BY MARCUS Clarke
CHAPTER XXI

land, and he belonged to what were
known as the educated" prisoners. lie
had been a 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 amiable
weakness for swearing Kirkland be-
longed to a Methodist family. and owned
piety utterly out Of place In that re-
gion. The language Of Burgess made
him 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 thatv cried Burgess, and forthwith
ordered him to the chain gang for "in-
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.
I'm not to go In there7" 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 '''rhe
governor says a night In there'll take the
starch out of yer. Come, in yer 60"
Let him out, watchmanw said North
who happened by.
Cant, sir, without an order from the
commandant."
Il order you. STRIP North cried, Indig-
nant
VERY sorry, your reverence; 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 dormltory.
Take thatr 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 QuietP'
The commandant, reused from his
slumber, told Mr.. North that kirkland
might stop where he was. and that he'd
thank the cha plain not to wake him up
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
kirkland Tf ha orlyaI
"Fretted hisself to sleep, yer rever.
ence," said Hailes, In accents Of par.
entail concern. Poor chapl 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 gresnist
tint, and wore an expression Of Devil
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 ton,
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 I,
the water-side, and Rufus Dawes OBJ
served that Kirkland was exhauste,
long before the task was accomplished
They'll kill you, you little beggarl'
said he. not unkindly.
He had hardly uttered the word
when the boy flung himself beneath tn
log. In another instant the train woul,
have been scrambllng over his brushes
body. had not Gabbett stretched out a
iron hand and plucked the would-bs sui
eide from death.
''Hold on to me-" said the giant. an
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 KEEP
steadily on for the river. Just as h
reached Il, however, the figure of Mr.
North rose from behind n pile Of stones
Kirkland jumped for the jetty, MISE,
his footing and fell into the arms Of tn
chaplain.
you young vermln-you shall pa.
for thisp cries Troke. you'll see |
"Oh, Mr.. North" says kirkland
why did you stop mel ia rather b
dead than stay another night In tina
place"
"You'n get it, my ladr' said Cab
bett, when the runaway was brough
back. "Your blessed hide'll feel for this
see If it don't"
Kirkland only breathed harder. an,
looked round for Mr.. North; but Mr.
North had gone. The new chaplain wa
TO arrive that afternoon, and II was In
cumbent on the DAD one TO be present a
the reception.
Troke reported the ex-bank clerk tina
night to Burgess, and Burgess, who wa
about to go to dinner with the new chan
lain. disposed of his case out of hand
Tried to bolt, ehl Must stop that
Fifty lashes. Troke. Pick out som
likely man, viii you. That last fellow
you had ought TO have been tied NJ
yourself. His hogglng wouldn't hav
killed a flea"
you can't get 'em to warm one an
other, your honor" says Troke. The
won't do It,"
"Oh, yes, they will. though" say
Burgess, "or III know the reason WHY
l won't have my men knocked up wit
fogging these rascals. II the scourge
won't do his duty, tie him up and civ
him fve-and-twenty for himself. III b
down in the morning myself. IL can.
VERY good. your honor" says Trok,
Kirkland was put into a separate ce
that night; and Troke. by way Of as
III