The Catalpa Expedition/Chapter 19

CHAPTER XIX

ARRANGING THE DETAILS

In the afternoon Mr. Breslin brought around a trap to drive over the road to Rockingham where the men were to embark in the whaleboat for the ship, if the escape was successful. For ten miles the drive was over the hard macadamized road built by the prisoners and called the Fenian road. With a pair of horses and four men in the trap, this distance was accomplished in forty minutes, and the test was very satisfactory. Then a sandy, heavy road was encountered for a distance of seven miles, which merged into a mere track winding through the "black boys," as the trees are called, the bush, and the sand to Rockingham Hotel. The latter stretch was about four miles, and the total distance was made in two hours and twenty minutes.

Here a hard, sandy beach was discovered. Garden Island, a long, low stretch of land covered with tall grass and bush, makes out from a point and extends nearly to Freemantle, forming Cockburn's Sound, a sheltered inlet. At the north end of the island is a narrow passage between the island and Cape Peron, a point on the mainland. Here the men alighted.

"Now, this is the place," said Mr. Breslin, "where we propose to bring the men, and where we expect you to meet us with a boat."

Captain Anthony stuck up an old piece of joist or rail in the sand above high-water mark.

"Let it be understood that this is the place where I will meet you with my boat if God spares my life," said the captain.

The four men then drove back to the hotel at Rockingham, where they rested, for the day had been intensely hot, and men and horses were thoroughly fatigued. That evening they arranged a code of cipher for telegraphing. Breslin was to notify Captain Anthony at Bunbury when the gunboat left Freemantle, and the captain was to telegraph back the hour of sailing. Forty-eight hours from the time when the telegram was sent. Captain Anthony was to have the Catalpa off the coast at Rockingham and his boat on the beach.

This was leaving much to chance, of course. Rockingham was a hundred miles from Bunbury, and head winds, bad weather, or calms might prevent the Catalpa from covering the distance within that time. But it was indeed a desperate undertaking; the men had resolved to take desperate chances and trust the luck which had thus far attended the expedition.

The telegraphic code was arranged as follows: When the gunboat sailed, Breslin was to send the message, "Your friend (N. or S. meaning north or south) has gone home. When do you sail?" This meant, "The gunboat has sailed north or south. All right. Start from Bunbury." In case the gunboat arrived to take the governor to the northwest coast, Breslin was to wire "Jones is going overland to Champion Bay. When do you clear out of Bunbury? " And when the coast was again clear, "Jones has gone to Champion Bay; did not receive a letter from you," meaning, "All right again."

On Monday, Captain Anthony was invited to go with his friends and a party of merchants in the colony to Perth, the residence of the governor. The company assembled at one of the hotels, and previous to the dinner were entertained by the songs of a Western Australian shepherd. A copy of the verses of one of the selections, describing one of the unique sports of the colony, was given the captain at his request. These are the lines: —

"I'm an odd thinking man,
And will get on if I can,—
I'm only a shepherd, 'tis true;
I find sport with my gun
Whilst out on the run,
In hunting the kangaroo!

"Some folks talk of the fox,
Ride through heather and box,
Hounds, steeds, and their hunting crew;
That is all very well,
But no sport can excel
The chase of the kangaroo.

"If I put up a doe.
Oft her offspring she'll throw
From the pouch in her breast, 't is true;
And now for the fun,—

THE TOWN OF FREEMANTLE, AUSTRALIA

For I don't use my gun,—
But run down the young kangaroo.

"Whilst my dogs on the scent
Of killing intent,
Swiftly o'er the plain they flew:
They ne'er lose a trail.
Nor to kill ever fail.
Or show the dead kangaroo.

"When a booma's at bay
You've the devil to pay,
He'll fight like a boxer, 't is true:
He's a terrible foe.
As the dogs often know.
In encounters with kangaroo.

"I've kept you too long.
So an end to my song;
I hope 't will amuse not a few.
When we meet again
We'll go out on the plain,
For a hunt of the kangaroo."

When the gentlemen were about to be seated at the dinner-table, Captain Anthony was filled with consternation as a government official placed his hand on his arm and said, "Excuse me, sir, but what is your name and business, and what are you doing here?"

Captain Anthony naturally thought the plot had been betrayed, when Breslin stepped up to explain that this was a custom of the country. The captain received such a shock that he failed to thoroughly enjoy the dinner. He found another illustration of the suspicion which is always abroad in the penal colony, later in the day. Going into the hydrographic office to buy a chart of the coast, he was compelled to reply to a long series of questions before he was permitted to purchase it.

On Thursday, April 6, Captain Anthony started back to the ship in the Bunbury mail coach, carrying $250 in gold which Mr. Breslin had given him to square up his bills. This was a thirty-two hours' journey over sandy roads, and as the weather was hot and Captain Anthony was the only passenger, he was utterly wearied when he arrived at Bunbury at four p. m. the following day.