Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-01-03

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VIZ E.W HORNUNG,
Author Of "Rafles. 3
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Der all day, twenty or thirty Oh US
yoked to the one tree like bullocks,
and dined off of pounded grass and
soup from a native dog. And glad to
get 1t, tell zee. We wasn't pampered
and spoilt like you blokes-not at Toon-
gabbie!"
Or perhaps some wretch was groan-
ing from the scourger's lash. The First
Fleeter waxed especially eloquent OIL
all such occasions.
"Can that a fogging2' he would
ouayer from his ledge. Zone little
fifty? If we'd had you at Toongabbie
you'd know what fogging was. Five,
six an even eight bloomin' hundred
I've given an took. What do you
think of that7 There was no flies
about them foggings. tell zee; no, an
there was no flies about the hangings
either. I've seen man took an
strung up on the spot for prigging
handful of weevilly biscuits, /. have.
An all the time we was dyin' by doz'
ems of the bad food an the ard graft
In the 'ot sun Lord, how we did die.
There was a big hole dug; we collect
ed 'em every day an pitched 'em IN
I mind soeiug ono ran pitcned In be-
fore the breath was out Of i'm.
amt dead he says. You will be by
sundown.' says the overseer, an do
you think we want you about the place
till tomorrow. you selfish man? There
wasn't no flies about that overseer, ell
her: 1t was him as killed three men Ii
fortnight by overwork at the saw.
They just dropped dead at their WORK.
Take it away Is all he says, put it
in the ground an you never heard
nothing more. No, no. the old mon
ster would conclude, with his senile
chuckle, there wasn't no flies about
them old days in Toongabbie, l can
tell zee. I'd give bit to have 'ad some
O. this feather bed gang there, them as
thinks they know what 'ardship isl"
The First Fleeter became less loqua-
cious after time, however, and much
less severe upon the luxury OF the
majors iron gang. Honeybone's shrewd
eye was on him, and that Of the First
Fleeter began to droOp and ruminate
with cunning preoccupation that
made him quite silent on his ledge. At
length, however, he took to leaning
over and mumbling to Tom In the
stillest hours. And when Tom listen.
ed the old wretch mumbled to others,
including Macbeth, who had soon fol-
lowed his enemy from Castle Sullivan
and been we'll nigh as refractory In
the stockade. The Scot was in another
den at nights, but the First Fleeter
made and used his opportunities with
characteristic craft. So now there
was new poison In the air, and the
virus had come all~the way from
Toongabbie in the early days.
One of the last to be tnoculated and
yet the one who perhaps took most
kindly to the process was certain
sleek, bullet headed youth who came
to the stockade on q day In midwinter.
In the evening as Tom was sitting at
the mess table, with blOodshot eyes
downcast as usual, he heard his name
in voice he seemed to know.
swell, Erichsen," 1t said, fts q
small world, amt it?"
Tom looked up and saw the bullet
head nodding at him across the table,
but so bloated and debauched was the
low face that he was some moments In
recognizing his old companion of the
condemned cell in Newgate.
Don't look at pal like that" con-
tinued Creasey, with smirk. you've
altered worse nor me. No Ill feeling, I
say? was that glad"-
"Silencew cried the noncommissioned
officer on duty. mo talking at your
meals, yourg man, unless you want
what-forw
As for Tom, he had nothing for the
but suHy contempt, which |
he took no trouble to conceal. Creasey, |
on the other hand, was studiously civil
to him on grasping Toms reputation In |
the stockade, and secret circumstances |
threw them not little together.
THAT'S biter," young Butterfleld !
to say to Tom in day or
two. Where did he know you before?"
"Newgate."
"He hates you"
"Let him."
"I'm jealous he'll squeak
"He might If he dare"
Elbow do you know he dursn'tw
100 many in 1t. He'd be torn to
little bits. See here, Butter"
eyes, Erickson"
you're to keep out Of it."
"Not unless you do" said the lad
1rmly.
me! I'm in 1t up to the neck, and
al the better, but you're different.
You're younger, your times all but up,
you've never had the lash, there's a
chance for you, SO give me your word"
The lad hesitated.
"For my sakep'
The lad gave in, but consoled himself
oy making up to Creasey, who slept in
lis hut and was already deeply impli-
lated in that which the other thus for
wore.
All was in readiness. The excite
nent throughout the gang was intense,
hough invisible, and Erichsen, Mac
,eth and Creasey were even reader
han their fellows, as behooved good
when the unforeseen hap
,ened at the critical moment. The gen.