Tales, Sketches, &c.

Patea Mail, 31 August 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

Tales, Sketches, &c.

CONVICTS ON THE SEA.

Wb were about 800 miles south of the Cape of Good Hope, and our ship’s head pointed neatly duo east. “ Twelve knots an hour,” says I to the skipper, in reply to “How much is she making?” The dripping log line Avas rolled up and the timeglass placed away in the binnacle. An extra pull was taken on the braces, the yards pressed hard against the stays, and right well did the old Marathon lie over from the heavy breeze that swelled our canvas to its greatest tension. I hove the log again. “How much now ?” says the skipper. ” Twelve and a half, sir.” " I guess that is about all we can get out of her with this wind; that extra pull gave her the other half knot.”.. In ten days alter passing Keruguelen’s Land the high and irregular coast of Australia was raised from the masthead by our first mate, Mr. Bolter, who shouted the glad tidings to those on deck. Ho sooner had the sound of his voice died away than a baker’s dozen were running up the ratlines, eager to obtain oven a distant view of the great island. A number of us old salts, who had sailed for Australia before, contented ourselves by snuffing the air like so many porpoises. After we had passed between Tasmania and the South Sea continent we caught a light breeze on our quarter and headed lot Sydney. No sooner had we dropped our right bower in the river just off the town than our vessel was boarded by the surgeon of the port, who examined our papers, and, being satisfied that we were in good health, our ship was allowed to haul up nearer the city. The old man went ashore to make his report to the Consul, but when he returned his face wore a troubled look. He called Mr. Bolton and myself into the cabin, where, to our surprise and chagrin, he stated that the Consul informed that when the cargo was discharged he should have to press the ship into the service for the Government to carry a lot of convicts to Van Dieman’s Land. The vessel that brongbt them was disabled, and could proceed no further. The' skipper remonstrated against the seizure, but it was of no avail. The Consol said he was sorry, but it oonld not be avoided —onr vessel being the only one in port that wonld answer the purpose, and the con viols must be got off without delay. This news found its way among the crew, and several of them ran away and took to the bash, not caring to risk themselves at sea a lot of desperate men freth from the prisons of

Eng’and. The skipper quieted the fears of ’he rest by telling them that do danger could postibly arise, as the convicts would be heavily ironed and placed between decks with a guard over them. On the following' morning, between decks were prepared for the reception of our live freight. A strong, double bulkhead was put up just forward of the cabin, and one just aft of the chain-lockers, and extra bars and padlocks were seourrd for the hatches. When I surveyed the work of the Government carpenters my mind felt somewhat easier.

Everything being in readiness, our guests were marched down between files of soldiers. Each convict was handcuffed, and on the right ankle of every man an iron ring was fastened, to - which were attached heavy chains. Six of them being fastened together, their movements were quite slow and retarded. As they filed up the gang-plank to the deck, I counted eighty-seven. Some were large, powerful men, others were weak and wore a sickly expression, but they all had a leok of dogged determination, their closely cropped hair and striped trousers-and jackets making them look all more javage. When No. 87 reached the thdy were drawn up in line and inspecteal&fxheSuperintendent and his assirtants. Each convict was thoroughly searched, in order to see if he had any weapons.

Nothing 1 was found, however, but what was proper for them to have. So the inspector informed us that there would he no danger, and ha would soon he rid of them. The guard that was to accompany us had been selected with great care, each one having a musket, two revolvers and a cutlass. Several extra casks of water were got on board for fear we would not have enough to last, during the run. As no signs of our runaways were to he had, the skipper was obliged to ship several men in order to fill his complement. One of these fellows was a villainous-looking customer, and I asked the captain why ho shipped such a man.

He replied that it was the best he could do. Sailors were scare*, as nearly everyone was off in the mines or stock-raising. [ told Captain Billows that I did not relish having such a man on board the Marathon but he laughed at my fears, and said the man had been discharged from a Liverpool ship some two months before, and as he wished to return home, he thought he would ship on the Marathon. The Consul verified the man’s statement, which satisfied the skipper, so he bad him on the strength of this. I said nothing more to the old man, but determined to keep a weather eye ou that man’s movements. Weweretoput outtosea that night, if the wind were favourable. The eighty-seven men were placed between decks to remain there until morning, when they would be taken out for an airing. The guard consisted of twenty-four men, half the number standing watch while the •there turned in below. It was eleven o’clock before the wind was in our favour, and nearly eight bells when we weighed anchor. I tell you I did not sleep much in my .watch below j the shouts and curses of the convicts made a perfect Bedlam and would nave aroused the seven sleepers. In vain the guard threatened them, but they only answered derisively and'da-red the soldiers to shoot.Mr, Bolter came to my berth when his watch was out, and said he expected to find me awake, ior no one could sleep with those wretches howling. So I lighted my pipe and went on deck, preferring to remain above than on a level with the banished Englishmen. Before daybreak they were quiet enough, and no particular one coaid be sifted oat for creating the disturbance, so the whole eighty-seven went soot free. Abont seven o’clock they were led np on deck for an airing and to pass inspection. After remaining three hours they were sent below again. In the afternoon, abont three o’clock, a gale sprung np, which required all hands to reef topsails. The yards were soon manned, and I went aloft myself, as is generally the custom when all hands are called. While I was passing the weather ear-ring and taking the last turn, I heard Sbaling (one of the foremost hands, who was knotting a reef-point next to me) ask: “ Where is Barker ? I don’t see him on the yard.” I looked over the line of men, and sure enough he was not there. I tell you 1 wasn’t long in getting on deck and stating my suspicions to the Captain, We at once rushed forward, followed by several of the guard, and, just as we reached the forecastle, who should make his appearance but The old man yelled at him ; “ What are you doing down there ? Speak np 1 What are you shirking below for when all hands were called for duty ? ” “ I was sick,” growled the scoundrel, “ and oonld not go aloft.” “ Yon are lying, yon villain 1 and yon know it,” said the skipper. “I’ll be bound yon are up to some deviltry. Mr. Bteeraway, j tut keep yonr eye on him till I come baek.” “ Ay, ay, sit I” I responded. By this time all hands had come down from aloft. The Captain soon returned, and stated that be could find nothing out of the way, but I was convinced in my own mind that something was out of the way. So the old man gave me leave to go below and satisfy myself. I oonld find nothing, but, at the same time, was far from being satisfied. I asked why was Barker, of all others, down below ? We told the crew of our suspicions, and ordered them to keep a look-out on Barker's movements. As the night came on the guard was relieved and cautioned by the sergeant to be on the alert. It seemed kind of queer to me that the convicts remained so quiet, for beyond a low conversation, their voices were scarcely audible, but I thought afterwards that probably they intended to get a good night’s rest, and preferred to keep still. I lay awake some time after taming m but my eyes finally grew heavy, and I was in the land of dreams—away off in Boston, My mother came up to my room (I was still ia my clrffttos) to tack in tho bodolotbos. X her gentle touch on the blankets ; but why did she place her hand over my mou b ? I opened my eyes to see the reason. The glittering blade of a sheath-knife was before them. I knew the reason then pretty quick, I assure you, for Barker held it. “ Now, Steeraway,” says be “ you just keep quiet, and you won't be hurt. Open your mouth and you won’t know what hurt you, I knew that any movement on my part would be my death warrant. ‘ Will you keep quiet if I lake my hand from your mouth i ” I nodded my head in the affirmative, aud his hand was removed. “ Now, Steeraway,” says he, “ I am going to tie you, and put a little stopper in your mouth. I won’t hurt you, for I know how to do these things,” He evidently did, for I was very soon bound band and foot, a gag placed in my i month, and your humble servant rendered i as useless as a dead man. The convict i then left me and disappeared. I had not i been alone more than ten minutes when 1 | heard a voice near the birthhead say, “ All right.” | la a moment more a light draught of air entered my state room, and it smelt strongly

of pent-up air—a sort of convict odour, so to speak. The bulkhead had been removed, and the cabin was soon crowded with prisoners. Not a sound did they make, for their irons were off, and the thought flashed quickly upon me, our ship is in their hands, maythe Lord have mercy on our crew. f ; Silently they went up the cabin stairs; then I heard a quick, rnshjng-sopnd,Bhonts, yells, curses, then a few shotsvij?'quick succession ; several splashes near my cabin-deadlight; more abouts and yells. / ') " Down with them ! Now-or never I”

"No Van Dieman’s for us! Down with them I”j

In vain I beard several voices pleading for mercy. But those men knew no mercy. Finally the shouts and yells ceased, then the quick, hurried tramp of feet overhead. Presently a step descends the stairs, the rope binding me was cut, the gag torn from my mouth and a gruff voice said : " Come, Steeraway, you are wanted on deck. Lively, now.” I came to the conclusion it was useless to deliberate, and I obeyed the order at once. It was not necessary for me to ask what the matter was. I knew that well enough at a glance. Barker that—scoundrel Barker—was an escaped convict, and had shipped on board the Marathon for the purpose of aiding his friends, and, from appearance of things, he had succeeded beyond his utmost expectations. As I emerged from the cabin, I was greeted with: “ Here he is \” by several of the stripped-jacket gentry. "Now, Steeraway, we want you to mind and do just what we tell you—or what Joe Gosshawk, the Captain, tells you —and you won’t he hurt; but if you don’t, why overboard you go. We know you can navigate; now which is it—shark’s dinner or obey orders ?”

Of course, I didn’t want to ease the appetite of the jet-finned wolves that were swimming around the ship. So I told them I would do all they wished; but I wanted to know what had become of the captain and crew. “ You’d better swim after them, and ask’em what’s done with ’em; ail except that cussed first mate, Bolter, and we oan’t get no track of him, blast him!” said Gosshawk, the recognised leader. I uttered a silent prayer that Bolton might be safe, stowed away somewhere out of their clutches.

“ Well, Steerway,” says Gosshawk, "where are we?” “About 80 miles from Yan Dieman’s Land.”

“ Now, then,” says he, “ you just fix this ship so she will be more nor that in twelve hours from now. Make her run north until 1 ask yon again where we are. And mind you don’t play any points, or you’ll find the bottom ol Davy Jones quick.”

I asked him then who was to work the vessel.

“ Why, yon just give the orders, and these men will work her; and mind you give them right.” “ Then brace around the yards,” replied I, “ so I can get her on the other track.” “ All right,” said Gosshawk; “ tell us the ropes.”

I explained to them, and pointed out the braces.

In ten minutes we were around and sailing almost due north.

When day broke my heart almost sank within me. The deck presented a sickening sight. Pools of clotted blood here and there, torn clothing, the remnant of some desperate struggle, and the striped convict jackets and red coats of the English soldiers were scattered over the deck.

I requested that the decks be cleared up and washed down, so that no vestige might greet my eyes of that terrible encounter that bad taken place the night before.’ At noon Gosshawk asked me where we were. I had just taken the sun, and found we were in 32 deg. south latitude and 173 deg. longitude east, all of which I correctly informed the convict skipper. “ Ain’t the Pijia about here somewhere,” he asked.

“ Yes, they are in 20 deg. latitude end 180 deg. longitude.” “ Well, take us there, Steeraway, and you are free to go in the long boat just as eoon as .we sight land. I’ll take care of the Marathon myself then.” As we still had about 720 miles to tbe nor’ard to make, and about 420 miles of longitude. I computed the sailing distance, and found there were about 1140 miles to cover, which, deducting the dfference from our actual course would leave about 930 miles before we reached tie Pijia. I reported the same to Gosa-

hawk, who grunted anything but satisfaction. "No nearer than that? Well, keep her for the Pijis, anyhow.” So I kept her for .the Fijis, and on the fourth day " Land, ho I” was shouted by one of the convicts who was stationed aloft. Gosshawk’s eyes brightened up, and he turned to me, saying, “ Well done, Steeraway.”

If I had only had my own way, I would have put them on a coral reef, but life is precious, you know, even to a sailor. As the Marathon neared the land, which proved to be one of the group to the eouth’ard, Gosshawk gave some orders in a low tone to several of the men. I knew what they were immediately, for the convicts began to cist off the lashings from the long boat. "So Gosshawks

intends to keep his promise/’ I thought to myself, and I was to be cast adrift in the long boat. When fifteen miles of land the breeze died away, and tbe old Marathon lay almost motionless. Gosshawk swore and stamped the deck, but to no purpose. K'nd Providence paid no attention to him. About dusk the wind made its appearance, and I got ready to stand in. “ Steerway,” said Gosshawk, “ I guess you will have to make a voyage in the dark; bub it can’t be helped.” The boat was lowered; two kegs of water, a bag of hard tack and three or four junks of salt horse were tossed in, and I was told to follow suit. As I was cast adrift, the villains shouted after me: “ Good-bye, Steeraway, you have done us a good turn, and we won’t forget it!” I made no reply but sat in the stem of the boat gazing after the receding vessel. After looking at her for a few minutes I was overcome and bowed my head in my hands and wept. Just then a splash in the water near the boat aroused me. "A shark !” thought I. Again I heard it, and then a low voice as if from the deep : “ Steeraway!” I sprang from my thwart as if struck by a galvanic shock. I strained my eyes and peered into the darkness. Presently I saw a dark form swimming toward the boat. Again the voice came over the water: ,f Steeraway !’’ Ben here knows I am not

superstitions, but I confess I did feel a little awe-stricken. Before I had time to collect my scattered thoughts, a hand was laid on the gunwale, and the form of a man arose from the sea.

" Its Bolter, Joe. Don’t be frightened— I’m no ghost!”

That short sentence broke the spell which lung to me.

" Oh, Bolter!” cried I, in a transport of

“ For heaven’s sake, help me in the boat, Joe ! lam mighty weak. Now, where’s the water ? That outside the boat will do to ssvim in, hut I can’t drink it.”

Soon I had the water-keg to his lips, and he took a long draught. " There I I never wanted water so had

but once before in my life; and this is what I call hard luck, Joe.” I agreed with him on that score, and asked him to tell me how he escaped from the convicts.

“ Why, you see, Joe, I got an inkling of what was coming, but before I could get out of the cabin the rascals were down upon ns. So I slipped into the secret locker under the transom, and they looked into every place but that. Luckily, the locker contained some canned meats and fruits, so there was no danger of my starving. I overheard that fellow’s conversation—the one they called Gosshawk—and I knew, Steeraway, that you were safe. I also heard him tell his cut-throat comrades what he intended doing with you, when I heard your boat lowered. I peeped from my hiding-place, saw the cabin was clear, as they were all on deck to see you off. Soon as I heard the boat was adrift I crawled through the stern window, hung by the frame for a minute or two, then dropped into tbe sea, swam after your boat, and here I am.”

Bolter suddenly started np and cried out: “ Look, Joe, if they have not set tbe ship on fire I” And bo they had. Before they landed they had, no doubt, left two or three of their number to lash the wheel and apply the torch. The flames threw a lurid light over the ocean, and soon the whole outline in fire of the doomed Marathon could be Been. Heavy tongues of flame ren np the tarred

rigging, and rolls of fire like a cloud would now and then buret forth as the eaila one after another were consumed. It was a magnificent eight, but a sorrowful one for ns. We watched her until scarcely a spark was to be seen, when suddenly, like a flash, the faint line disappeared, and all that once remained of the Marathon went to the bottom. On the following morning we sighted an American whaler, which fortunately came near enough to see our signal of distress, and we were relieved from our uncomfortable position. Bolter and myself told the whaling skipper our story, when be at once made sail for Sydney, where the facts were laid before the English consul, who took steps to capture the short-haired villains. ; This was successfully accomplished.