UNDER SENTENCE IN NORFOLK ISLAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1869, 6 February 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

UNDER SENTENCE IN NORFOLK ISLAND.

AUTHENTIC RECORDS. ViLL RIGHTS BESIiEY£D Jo o No. 9 TUB WILD-TOBACCO PLOT. It was only reasonabla to Gxpsot that the vexatious and uncalled for regulations recently issued regarding the wild tobacco, pat birds and othar matters would bo resented by the oonviots as harrassing and studied attempts to deprive them of harmless though muoh valued privileges. The more far seeing of the transportees rightly judged that the obnoxious new regulations bad. a deeper end in view than merely io make the lot of the convicts' harder. The very_ manner in which the recent laws were carried out proved to them clearly that the alteration of the former regulations were intended to stamp out any smouldering eaibers of revolt that might have been left from the January outbreak. " Nestors in the camp" warned their fellow prisoners in the camp to be more cunning than the fox in any Bteps they might take to evade the newly promulgated "orders'" - Among the wisest of these prophetic felons was a man named James Fiizimmons. He was an "old hand" and a lifer. For some years he had apparently (and really) reconciled himself to the inevitable, and, like the aun when she takes the black veil, he was centent to forget big former world and live in his oheerless life waiting only for the . Reliever, Daath, to free him from the sbackleß of this world. Hi 3 conduct had for some years been exemplary, and his deep resignation so apparent that in lSi-i -Msjor Cnilds had placed him in the rather trusted po. iiion of shepherd over a small flcok near U>e Cascade prison. It was the first time a ' lifer" had been so trusted, but the action of +be Commandant was fully warranted by the conduct of Fitzimmons. The man had in fact made op his mind to live and die on the laland, and he banished from his mind the former cherished hopes of liberty in which he had indulged. In his rnde hut hia one oompanion was a splendid Norfolk parrot, a gorgeous bird that was usually called the "King parrot." This he had taught to speak to him almost like a human being, and he loved it with an affeotion that cannot be understood by those who are free to form acquaintances or friends, and converse with those they meet in more or less populated countries. The old man — for h9 was verging upon sixty— had also a I strong liking for the local wild tobacco. This, and the parrot, were the only solace the convict had, and he wanted no more. He did his labour faithfully and well, and he never joined in any plot or attempt to overthrow existing authority. When the edicts were issued that deprived him of his feathered friend and the soothing tobacco plant the old man could not believe that they were seriously intended. When told what the consequences of disregarding them would be, he sought and obtained permission to see the Commandant about them, and pathetically begged the chief officer not to deprive him of the only two pleasures Which life had for him. • f Sir," Fitzimmons said, with pathos, " j am doomed to lei»ve my bones on this island or Borne other penal settlement. lem condemned to life long imprisonment, and I have reconciled myself to tae fate. L never grumble, and I act honestly and faithfully to those in authority. No complaint has ever been made against me, and I hope never will. With my bird and a little of the wild tabaooo I might truthfully say I have lived content, and now lam told these are to be taken away from me although 1 have not offended, and neither has Felix (the name of the parrot). Laave me those, eir, I beg of you, and I will consider rayselx the happiest of men." In reply to this appeal the commandant coldly told tbe supplicant that no exception i oould bs made in favor of any convict. The regulation had been made after ths fullest consideration, and all would have to obey it. ■ Penal laws were framed with a view of punishment, and it was ridioulous to suppose that they were intended to promote the* happiness of those who by their own misdeeds had brought themselves within their scope. That would simply be holding out an in- ' ducement to crime, and as loDg as he (the Commandant) bed charge of the settlement he would strictly carry out tbe intention of the GoTernment regarding the treatment of , tranepoilees. He, moreover, gravely advised Fitzimmons not to show any reluctance in obeying the authorised mandate that had been issued, or he might have to account for it in an unp'easact manner. The old man went back to his solitary hut where he was greeted •as usual by "Felix," who chattered away with vivacity, and as the wretched ''nfsr" looked and listened he felt he could neither banish or kill (the two courses suggested) his beßt loved oompanion. It may seem ttrange that hardened men steeped in crime like most of the Norfolk Island felons were, should have so much affection for pets such as parrots, but all history proves that the greatest mongers had an unaccountable liking for birds or animals. Tiberiaß almost worshipped a captive lark. Attila— the scourge of God— oarried about with him a rabbit which received the tenderest oare, and many other notable personages in history had similar leanings. In captivity men more readily makettrange pets and companions, a mouse, pookroaob, or even a predatory rat, or a flea, have formed entertainment or companionBhip for prisoners, and the doomed outcasts on Norfolk Island who had the opportunity were equally anxious in the matter of animal pets. A week after Fitzimmonß' visit to the Comznandant two oont tables visited his hut and found the bird still there. A report was at once made, and the old man was brought ' before a magistrate oharged with disobeying the regulation referring to the keeping of birds an animals. The Commandant gave evidence against him, and he was sentenced ,to twenty-five lashes, and the immediate destruction of the bird ordered. If this had been done by one of the subordinate officials it would have saved a vast amount of subsequent trouble, and averted more than one tragedy, bnt with a refinement of torture Fitzimmons himself was ordered to carry "that part of the sentence into execution after he had received his flogging, Twentyfive lashes was considered almost nothing at that time, and the convict was at onca led to the triangles where the doße was administered. He bore it with sullen fortitude, and when he was released a rough reminder- was given him not to forget what he had to do when he reached the hut. Two days after the constables again visited the hut, but the parrot was still there apparently as well as ever. Saou obstinacy was unpardonable, and tha convict was a;?a : n .brought before the magistrate and orderal fifty lashes, although his back was still raw from the previous flogging. He waa told that if the parrot was again found in the hut the sentence would be double, and that he would run a good chance of being flogged to death if he persisted in defying the authorities in tbe manner he was doing. Soarcely able to crawl, with his lacerated back, Fitzimmons got baok to the lonely dwelling and listened once more to the «alutations of his loved parrot, for which he was suffering so muoh, and as he listened he decided, with a resolution that nothing but death could shake, that the bird should ntn >t die, and that if vengeance could be wreaked on his tormentors it should be done. The man's whole nature had become changed. From the passively suffering resigned convict his heart bad become a voloano of furious passions, in which revenge towered high above the rest He felt that it would be neocessary to nt least conceal the bird^fnr if he had to visit the fiagellator again bg£feit that he would die or have to enter ths hospital for a lengthened period, and then what would beoome of Felix ? With inoreditablp toil, and forgetfainess of tha pain he was suffering, the devoted man exo«(v»tei a Urge opwingip the floor of the Jwt oadfflmto tin iad< M ittifc tnfl ibii

he fashioned into a sort of oave where he intended to keep the parrot in the day time. The earth was oarried some distance and thrown into a watercourse, A small door was placed over the mouth 0! tho excavation and this was covered with a thin layer of earth, the whole thing bsiog arranged in j so skillful a manner as to almost defy de- j tection. A few hollow canes were let into | the hole to supply air, and perches having j been stretohed across it wita water and j food the parrot was placed in it next day and scarcely half an hour before the constables came for the third time to see .if the order had been carried out. The empty cage was there, but no parrot was to be seen, and they asked FiUimmons to show them the dead bird. He told them tbat ho had thrown it into a certain place, which he pointed out, but its body was not to ba found, and though they were rather auspicious it was impossible to prove that the old man had not oomp'ied with tbe regulations. They had not been gone a quarter of an hour when the door of Fitziminon's hut was again opened and a convict from the Cascade gaol walked in, It was Walter Hendrick, the prisoner who had been flogged three weeks previously for having three ounces of sugar in his pocket for which he could not account. He knew Fitzimmonß and had beard of the punishment he had suffered rather than make away with his pet. Hendrick's sentence of seven years had only eight month's longer to rnn, and he would be a free man, and this fact caused him to be sometimes sent to the head station with messages. It was an errand of this sort he was on when he oalled on the old shepherd. The Cascade prisoner bad never been the same man sinoe he was flogged for the sugar, and his hatred was directed chiufly against head constable Soanlon, uho had caused him to Euffa' a cruel and unjust punishment, Ho went over to the wretched flax mattrass where Fitzimrnons was lying, and asked him in a kind tone if he could do anything for him. '• I've got a pieoe of 'bacca hero, and you can h&va half," he added. The hutkeeper's eyes glittsncd at tbe thought of indulgence in his favorite luxury, ; and he accepted tbe convict's generosity with gratitude. j 11 The fellow as gavdit to me ; as got into trouble over his kindness. He was caught givin' a quid to a chap a few days ago, and he is going to bs Bent from the island," Hendrittk went en. "Who is he?" the old man shoitly asked. " One of the boatmen named Waters. A right good fellow," waß the answer. " The fact is, Fitz, we want more like him. The convicts are being driven almost mad by 13 ing Bcoundrels who trump up charges against them, and they won't stand it much longer. I got a hundred lashes and solitary a while ago for nothing at all, but I mean to be even with the man who oaused it before I leave Norfolk Island, that is, if ever I do leave it, for I know that Saanlon is determined that I shall not. When my time is about up he will lay some other charges against me and get my sentence extended." " Something must be done, Hendrick,'' groaned Fitzimmons. " I can t stand this treatment much longer. I shall go mad, I fear." "Well," replied his companion, going closer to his bedside, and speaking in a whisper, " something will be done. Waters, the boatman, is our friend, and he told ma this morning that if he were a convict he would have possession of the settlement in twenty four Hours. Ue cays that Westwood made the mistake of cot getting Cascade nnd Longridge prisons to mutiny at the same time as the Sydney Bay gaols. If this had been dono the outbreak would have been successful, as the attention of the authorities would have been divided. Now, Waters Bays the whole two thousand prifoners wonld revolt on account of the bad treatment they are getting, and the handful of free men on the island would soon be captured or killed."' [ The h atkeeper listened with the deewest interest. Eavolt against constituted authority had a fa=oination for him at the time, and he listened eagerly to the words his oompanion uttered. At length he asked. "Who would lead this rieing ? It would have to be arranged with the greatest care and Becreoy,for the Commandant gets information from all kinds of sources. I will make one to jdn id for lam utterly tired of roy lile, and if the plot fails I don't care much. Since the wila tobacco waa destroyed I don't feei the same man. I had a good 6took of dried leaves in the hut, but it was found and destroyed ulso." " I am wi'.liag to take the laad myself," answered Hendrick. " Wateis has suggested that Ido beaause 1 have more liberty to move about than most of the other prisoners. I will take the load and start the moveiiens going this very day. There ia no time to De lost, for the quicker it is done the better. Tne boatman, on whom we can rely, for he is in di.-grace and about to be banished, will secretly help us, and I have no fear but what we wi 1 succeed . I must be going no^ but I will see you as soon as possible again and anything you can do to help ths idea along I am sure you will do." As he concluded H^adriok turned and left the hut, whilst from behind a pine tree thai overabadowed the small building tbe face of j the free boatman looked aftar him with a smile of happy assurance. Waters waited for nearly half an hour, and then with his oat like tread he walked round to the door of the hut, and, pushing it open, entered the small room. As he did so Fitzimmons, who had just taken the parrot out of its dark hole, and was sitting on tbe bed with it perched on his finger, jumped up in terror and faced the intruder. " Never mind, my man, I am not a spy; and will do you no harm. I think it is a shamo you are not allowed to keep such pets. My name is Waters, and I am a boatmaD, but got into trouble lately through being too kind to the prisoners, bo you need not fear." The old man gave a sigh of relief, for he felt that Waters was a friend, and would not give him up to the authorities to be soourged almost to death, and he gratefully answered : " I have heard of you, Mr. Waters, and I know you are kind to us miserable wretches. This bird has been my faithful companion for two years, and I can't find it in my heart to kill it as I have been ordered. I have concealed it, and I am sure you will not betray me." " You may depend upon me that I will not. I have no love for the ■ mhorities myself, and if I was a convict I should prove very troublesome to them. Tueir conduot is b.utal, and I don't know how th=? prisoneie stand it." Aa he said ihiß Waters took a largo fig of tobacco from his pocket and handed it to the grateful man. " I would do anything, sir, to esoape the bondage I am in," replied Fitzimmons, with effusion. "Then I will help you. I want to do some good before I leave the settlement, and what better can I do than a«sist you to eacape?" returned the boatman. "I will arrange that some of the most reliable convicts, who are acting as shepherds and hutkeepers, meet here to morrow evening, and then you can arrange a plan. I will come myself and give you what assistance I can. I can give you information about headquarters which w'U be of value to you. You ought to have a pass word, and admit none who do not know it. What would you suggest?" " Well, I scarcely know," answered Fitzitnmons. "How would 'Wild Tobaooo' do?" "It will do well. ' Wild Tobacco 'it Bball be," and saying whioh Free Boatman ' Waters left the hut and disappeared in the forest in the direction of the main settle. ment. " The Biter Bitten," will be the title of next week's Records. It continues and oonoludei the -trange history of the " Wild Tubaooo Ploc, and shows in clear ligntone of the blaokest spot* io oontiot settlement*-