The Washington herald., 1914-06-28

was one Of the most industrious workers
among them. He knew that Steboins
was watching him and hoped for an
opening. and he was determined to dis
appoint him. 1t was two weeks before
anything had happened. Then Black
Jim had the misfortune TO break the
handle OF the ak with which he was
working. Stebbins at once seized upon
the incident as a preteXt for punishment
We should not have known anything
about it at the police station. six miles
away. but for a black boy, who reported
that Stebbins had one Of his men hung
up by the thumbs, was sent over to
investigate. Black Jim had been hang
ing by the thumbs for two hours when
I reached the place and had been un-
conscious for at least half OF that time.
soon had him down and being cared
for. and I had il hot and heavy with
Stebbins for half an hour. He con-
tended that the man had been insub-
ordinate. and had even threatened his
life. and that some of the convicts back
easier for themselves, hut I knew that
ii was a false charge. I wouldn't do to
say too much to Stebbins, however. Low
and contemplate as he was. he had a
pull with the government and did not
hesitate to threaten revenge on me for
interfering with his discipline. Neither
one of us sent in a report, but We were
open enemies after that.
Not one convict in a thousand would
have stood the insults and degradation
put upon Blact Jim during the next
year, I know he tried his best. but there
was no pleasing Stebbins. He was al
ways boasting that he had a gentleman
convict and that he was bound to
''break' him, and he spent a good share
of his time worrying the man. II was
an almost daily thing for Black Jim TO he
fiogged, and four-fifths of his day were
spent under lock and KEY and on a diet
of bread and water My interest in him
saved him somewhat, but as the weeks
went by knew what the end would be-
He would either rise up in his despera-
ton and kill Stebbins, or he would bolt
for the bush and join a gang Of rangers
There were times when felt vexed with
him that he didn't do one or the other
and show a proper spirit, although it
would have been my duty to hunt him
down in either case. One day. as I was
returning with the troop after hunting
down a false alarm OF bush-rangers, my
horse shied and threw me almost in front
of Stebbins' house. and as l struck on
stone and had several ribs broken 1
was carried in. He was not glad TO
see Dhl lHe was
obliged to give me a bed. Having got
settled. the police surgeon would not al
low me TO be removed. The brute Steb-
bins wanted to show his independence of
the police and prosecute Black Jim at
the same time. and the insults he heaped
on that convict for three or four days
made me itch to shoot him. On the
fourth night of my accident four men
and three women arrived for an evening
visit. They were about the only friends
Stebbins had in a social way, and he
made them very welcome. My being in
the house was not permitted to interfere
with the festivities. When dinner had
been finished and the drink had gone
around. Stebbins sent for Black lin
and ordered him to dance for the amuse-
ment Of the company. The convict re-
spectfully but firmly refused. and his
master cried out in Indignation:
You won't dance, eh? Too much Of
a gentleman to give US a hornpipe! Mebbe
this company isn't swagger enough for
the likes Of bloomin' murderer
The charge against me was forgery,
SIR, quietly replied the man.