The Irish standard., 1908-06-13

district, Mr.. Baker ("Miller'' in the
Jail Journal"). Dan Burke says that
Baker was Briton of the old school,
with an implicit belief in the almost
divine right of England to dominate
Ireland. Withal, he sheltered Mitchell
with rare fidelity and hospitality, and
even took measures which, had they
not been countermanded from Laun-
ceston, would have secured Mitchell
prompt liberty and saved him a period
of keen anxiety and suffering. Mitchell
was forced to tarry many days at
Bakers house. Mitchell endured terri
BILE privations while waiting in the
northern end of the island to effect
his escape. After leaving in hot haste
from Port Sorell to Launceston, some
IS miles, his friends insisted on send
ing him forthwith in a small boat
down to the mouth Of the lamar, q
distance of 40 miles. There they ex-
pected the outward-bound steamer to
take him on board. The plan miscar-
ried, owing to the fact that Barrett.
who was charged with the execution
of this part of it, feared discovery by
the police at Georgetown. Mitchell does
not say so, nor blame Barrett in any
way: but Burke is confident that the
latter was responsible for the failure
Of the plan. Burke was on board the
steamer, having been charged with the
duty of delivering Mitchell (who was
disguised, and in clerical habiliments,
and whose passage had been taken in
the name of Father McNamara) to
Mr.. Qater Sir John) O'shanassy in
Melbourne. Burke asserts that the
captain waited as long as he dared at
the Heads, and left only when salts
fled that some accident had prevented
Barrett's boat from coming out to
meet him. Meanwhile Burke was be-
ing carried away to Melbourne, but
the ship was again stopped, the pilot
boat hailed, and, getting ashore in it,
after some trouble, he succeeded in
reaching Mitchell just as the latter was
about to return to Launceston. Night
had then fallen, and rain came down
in torrents. Mitchell suffered from
chronic asthma; he had had no sleep
for several successive nights; and he
laid himself down in the small boat
without word, remaining there until
arrival at Barrett's landing. Up to
that moment he had endured all his
troubles and disappointments without
murmur. 1t is not to be wondered at
many hardships, he broke down. AS to
what actually transpired, Burke natu-
rally maintains some reserve; but he
declares that before the party reached
Launceston, they had several narrow
escapes in the inky darkness from
drowning. .Burke's connection with
Mitchell ended when he delivered him
to the late Dean Butler, who concealed
him for some days in the church bel
fry, of which no vestige now remains.
A disguise that would Garry him
through birthday ball at Government
House" enabled Mitchell to reach Ho-
bart in safety, and to get passage on a
boat bound for Sydney, which fortu-
nately carried his wife and children,
with whom, of course, he manifested
no acquaintance. But one of the
youngsters had sharper eye than
the detectives. for, after surveying the
new passenger. she ran to tell her
mother the secret. Mitchell does not
mention this incident. nor the fact
that one of the water police who had
been searching the vessel for escapes
was aware of the steps being taken to
get him away. The man IL still alive