Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-09-20

muted to one OF transportation |
for life, he was transported to !
New South Wales, where no arrived, |
in the official phrase, per Seahorse, In |
the early morning of Tuesday, Dec. 8, !
1887.
Some nineteen weeks before, still
earlier In the morning, his draft had |
been chained together In gangs Of six !
and marched from Millbank across the !
road and down the stone steps to the |
tug, which conveyed them to the con-
Wet ship then lying ut the More.
The voyage was not the worst Of
Toms experiences. The first few days
they We're all In chains, and his leg
became excoriated through dragging
the cruel harness in and out Of his |
hammock. but presently tho chains |
were struck Off, and Tom did not earn |
second dose OF them. He distinguish |
ed himself In no way on board. In
the usual attempt to Seize the ship he
bore no part nor was it Tom who be- |
trayed the rlngleaders md saved so
many lives. Yet he was fortunate
enough to win the fancy Of the sur
geon superintendent. who employed
him privately during great part Of
the passage. This officer was In abso- !
lutte command Of the convicts, and to /
Tom he was very kind indeed - SO
much SO that ut the very end OF the |
voyage Tom asked the other to take
his word between themselves that he
was innocent. He never asked this !
harbor with tho vernal shores said no
more to his stinging soul than to that
OF the most hardened felon In the ship /
The eXiles were landed and marched |
to Hyde Park barracks, 200 strong 1t
was quite early In the forenoon, yet !
the heat of the ground struck through
their shoes, and the hot land smell !
scorched their nostrils. us the ungainly !
detachment proceeded along the
streets, oil rowing eyes and lurching
sea legs. Suddenly the air filed with
Jingle as Of inhaimOniOus bells, and
around corner came team Of TWEEN |
ty men In gray and yellow patchwork
yoked to wagon filled with stone and
gravel They had their chains to drag
as well. and these made the mournful
music wherever they went One of the |
soldiers In charge of the newly landed
draft CHANGED to catch Toms eye flash
ing misery and defiance. Don't you
trouble your head about Them" cried /
he. It'll be your own fault, young
fellow, II ever you come to that |
There's none on you need"
Tom said nothing. but convict near
him called out: II believe you. general!
We've come out here to enjoy our
selves, and that's what we mean to |
do"
And will, too.' said the soldier. |
There's plenty of us chaps would !
change shoes with you IL we could" no |
added below his breath. Assigned
servants Is more In demand than ever
and good 'un gets wages just the
same rs free man. You'll all be snap |
ped up before you've been In barracks !
day. No, this amt them. This Is
the 'Orspital. Them's the barracks, |
around the corner to the left"
A high wall inclosed the somber pile
which looked the more sinister against
that sky Of unfathOmable blue. I'm
moderate sunshine and the tantallzing |
proximity Of the governors pleasure
grounds put point to the ominous |
contrast, and there were misgivings
among those bold spirits that had look
ed forward to New South Wales as q |
land Of exclusive cakes and ale.
''If they're going to shut us up In |
there" said one to another, I'VE might |
as well have stayed where we was In |
blessed old NOOgit"
II tell you they won't keep you above
q day." resumed the soldier. "And |
you'll never see the place again unless
you plays the fool and gets turned into !
gov'ment. Them as does that comes
back, Of course. and has bad time Of |
1t too. Hear that! Hear that"
Over the wall as the newcomers
marched down one side of 1t there !
came from the other n series of shrill |
screams, and ere they reached the gate |
1t was flung open and out marched |
four men carrying q fifth. screaming
still. shoulder high between them. The |
white face was turned to the sky, the
naked trunk writhing In agony, and
the blood was running out Of the mans
boots as though he had been wading
ankle deep In 1t, while his leg irons
hung clanking from his leT-.
To be Continued.l
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