Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-10-10

V1cC ErlcQSen having Deen C0m-
muted to one Of transportation
for life, he was transported to
New South Wales, where he arrived,
In the official phrase, per Seahorse, in
the early morning of Tuesday, Dec. 5,
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 theA lying at the More.
The voyage was not the worst of
Toms experiences. The first few days
they were all in chains, and his leg
became excoriated through dragging
the cruel harness in and out of his
hammock, but presently the chains
were struck off, and Tom did not earn
a 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 ringleaders and saved so
many lives. Yet he was fortunate
enough to win the fancy Of the sur
geon superintendent, who employed
him privately during a great part Of
the passage. This officer was iii abso-
lutte command Of the ~convicts, and to-
Tom he was very kind indeed - so
much so that at the very end of the
voyage Tom asked the other to take
his word between themselves that he
was innocent. He never asked this
Of any man again. And the lovely
harbor with the vernal shores said no
more to his singing 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, as the ungainly
detachment proceeded along the
streets, all rowing eyes and lurching
sea legs. Suddenly the air filed with
a Jingle as of inharmonious bells, and
around a corner came a team of twen-
ty men in gray and yellow patchwork
yoked to- d wagon filled with stone and
gravel. They had their chains to drag
as we'll, 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 fash
ing misery and defiance. Don't you
trouble your head about them," cried
he. "Itll be your own fault, young
fellow, if ever you come to that.
There's none on you need"
Tom said nothing, but a. convict near
him called out: II believe, you, general!
| We've come out here, to- enjoy, u .
selves, and that's what we mean, to
do"
"And will, tool" said the. soldier:
there's plenty of us chaps would:
change shoes with you If we.could,,' he
added below his breath. Assigned
servants is more in demand than, ever,
and a good 'un gets wages just the
same as a free man. You'll all'be'snap-
ped up before you've been in barracks
a day. No, this amt them. This, is
the 'orspital. Them's the barracks;
around the corner to the left"
Ashigh wall inclosed the somber pile,
which looked the more sinister against
that sky Of unfathomable blue. I'm
moderate sunshine and the tantalizing
proximity of the governors pleasure
grounds put a point to the ominous
contrast, and there were misgiyings
among those bold spirits that had look
ed forward to New South Wales as q
land Of exclusive cakes and ale.