New-York tribune., 1912-03-31

centipede as they wound their way over
the ground with the log resting on their
backs The falling OF man, feebler than
his fellows, was no signal for stop. The
giant caterpillar continued it's way drag
eing the fallen man after it, until such
time as he should be able TO regain his
feet.
Treated like beasts, the men lived the life
of brute creation. II is said that all the
atrocities that men could imagine were
committed here Suicide was frequent, men
drowning themselves in order 90 gain re-
lease from the hopeless existence which
went on from sun to sun, and which death
alone could terminate. On one occasion
three men drew lots 10 determine who
should be murdered by his two companions
in order that the others might OBTAIN
glimpse of Hobart Town, where they knew
they must be taken for trial. The man
upon whom the lot fell laughed at inc
choice before his brains were beaten out py
his companions. and the two SURVIVORS con-
graduated each other that they were 10
have a holiday on the scaffold at the capitai
of the island.
The horrors Of life at "Helrs Gate" had
reputation in the penal settlements when
made men destined thither commit the most
desnerate acts in order 10 escape their fate
In August. 1899. the Cyprus, vessel en'
Moved to carry prisoners from Hobart
Town TO Macquarie Harbor, set forth from
the former place bound for Heirs Gate.
Iiautenant Carew with ten soldiers had
charge of the thirty-one convcts. Tue
coast which these convict transports were
Obliged to skirt was subject TO frequens
etorp,s and on this occasion bad weath4
compelled the Cyprus 10 put into Rechercu
Bay for shelter.
Two of the prisoners had been at "Helfs
Cate before, and they were nothing loatn
- describe the horrors which awaited them
N their companions In misery Taken all
toeether they were a desperate crew ana
In tho sen,i-darkness of the lower deck,
whore they sat chained in groups of four.
they discussed their fate and plotted way
of escape. II was proposed TO seize the
shin Ferguson, a bolder man than the
others. becoming the leader in the discus
sion The others, degraded by the chain
and lash, vet clung to the preservation OF
the life that the law had left them
"At the worst" urged Ferguson In
low tone. for two armed sentinels kept
watch at the natcnWdy, IL II ou' u'"N"'
and which of us wishes TO live?'
How can we. unarmed, weak from I'M
prisonment and chained. hope TO sue
ceed?" some OF the less bold argued.
Walker. who had once been sailor.
sided with Ferguson. once free, couid
navigate the ship to China" said he
on six different occasions did the
chained wretches on the lower deck dis
cuss the project. but as often did their
courage fail them Now, however, as the
vessel lay at anchor in Recherche Bay.
the opportunity seemed to have presented
| itself. At least. there could be no better
one. Land was In sight and life on board
had become more tedious with the length
Of the voyage. even to the officers in COM
mand Lieutenant Carew. placing conn.,
dence in his soldiers and their arms,
thought he would indulge in little hsh.
ing His wife. who had accompanied him.
said she did not care to go. but the sur
geon was ready for a little sport. SO a
boat manned by soldier and convict
was lowered. and the two officers set out
on their expedition into the bay.
1t was the custom to bring the convtcts
on deck in small groups for exercise u
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