The daily Alaskan., 1907-01-07
A CONVICT AND
 A GENTLEMAN

 There was nothing for my watch to do except in the case of the man on the lookout, and all except him and the man who stood ny the wheel in per functOry way were soon Sprawlcd out and asleep Within the hour l believe that we all slept. If | slept at all, of which l am moi sure, il was less than ten minutes ny the cabin clock. 1 was suddenly aroused by some one touching my arm, and at once responded:
 Well, what is it."
 I spoke before I turned to the man at my side. When | wheeled on him saw q stranger. He stood there with his cap in hand. and drawn up across the deck were fourteen other men. all dressed as French couvicts. Every man removed his cap and bowed to me, and as stood staring the one who had touched me quietly said:
 Sir we have come aboard.'
 But what iS it-wno arc you?" I asked as our voices aroused the man It the wheel.
 Our boat is alongside. sir. We are escaped cOnvictS from Cayenne. We did not hail you, and we came aboard without noise We have been night and two days at sea. May l hope that our advent will disturb no One:"
 Good God, but We are captured by convicts!" l groaned as I finally real ized the situation.
 And a worse thing might have hip- pened," he replied. with d laugh. We haven't the slightest intention of cap turing your craft. Our only desire k to work our passage to the north. We have quite q quantity of provisions aboard our boat, and yOH will find us obeying orders and maintaining the best of discipline
 l descended to the cabin and aroused the captain and in whispers informed him of what had happened, lie was of all eXcitable nature. anu il had uOt clapped my hand over his mouth he would have aroused lhc women with his eNclamatiOnS. 1 had lu tell Gim over and over Hgam that the cunNIcIs offered no violence aud that their lead CT seemed tu have tGvm under perfect control before ruulu quirl him. He was shaking like a leaf when we gain. cd the deck. and he atlrrward told me that he expected nothing less than 10 be murdered out of hand.
 So this k the caplaiu:' softly asked the convict leader. Let mc rcaSSure you. sir There shall be no violence here. You are Us safe as if in your own home ashore"
 But you-you are conyirts.' cA. claimed the captain uS he looked around upon the gang
 "uuforUuuate!y, Yes, but il ducs not follow that we are beasts and bruteS. Some of Us may not have been guilty of the crimes charged. alone can speak your language am the leader. Every man will uhcy my slightest word. All We a>k iS that you give us Il passage to the north
 How far to the north:"
 TO 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 ari>tocrat. His followers were more common looking men. but their faces were not evil. The captains excite ment quieted down after little and be reasoned it 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 l gave him nod. and then he said:
 "I will take you along and trust in what you say"
 And pledge you my word you shall have no cause to regret it." replied the leader as he extended his hand. As the weather is fine my men can occupy the decks. have 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 un- derstand word. and yet it was plain that he was giving them orders and ad- vice. While he was speaking l Sug- geSted to the captain that he be invited to occupy q spare berth in the cabin, and this was acceded to. When the in- vitation was extended he accepted It as his due, but with many thanks, and introduced himself as Mir, Lafoy. Our sleeping Wal. i was reused up, the coll victs' boat unloaded and sent adrift explanations made and all done so quietly that the sleeping women were not aroused. The first they knew of the affair was at breakfast time. Mean while the calm was broken.
 In the morning watch l carried one of my suits of clothes to Lafoy's state room, along with razor and other things. When he came out to break. fast and was introduced he was all gentleman and no convict He was good talker and a natural entertainer, and the women. who had expected to meet a villain. were on friendly footing within d quarter of-an hour.
 AS for the other convicts, our men ,,-ftb +Ia,,, ot nnna GnrDn