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Read Ebook: The Catalpa Expedition by Pease Zeph W Zephaniah Walter
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as 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 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, 'tis true; And now for the fun,-- 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,'tis 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 'twill 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 0 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.
A CRITICAL SITUATION
And now followed a period of waiting, and the captain was worn with anxiety. The possible suspicion of the people ashore at the delay in departure must be anticipated, and the captain busied himself in getting potatoes and onions, wood and water aboard, and opened up negotiations for a quantity of kangaroo skins.
The crew had become uneasy at the long delay, and were almost mutinous at their restricted shore liberty, for Captain Anthony did not dare to trust them with shore leave, excepting in charge of an officer. Their own theory of the proceeding was that the vessel was fitting for a cruise to New Zealand. They were humored in this belief, and were kept busy in painting and refitting.
One forenoon, when the captain was ashore with Mr. Smith, they noticed the colors at half-mast, and saw that four of the crew had stolen a boat and were rowing ashore, with another boat's crew in pursuit. The runaways reached shore and started for the beach. The police were notified, and soon overtook and captured them. The ringleader, Joseph McCarty, struck an officer and was detained. The other three were delivered aboard the vessel and were placed in irons in the steerage. The man who was arrested was a desperate fellow, and Captain Anthony was glad to have him go. He was sentenced for seven days for the assault. The captain hoped to get to sea before he was released, but the man served his time and went down on the jetty and sought to go aboard the ship. Captain Anthony did not dare to trust the man, in view of his delicate mission, and refused to receive him. He was one of the men who was shipped at Teneriffe, and had a bad record.
Two days had passed since the captain's return to the vessel, and no word had been received from Breslin. Meanwhile, the vessel was in readiness for a prompt departure. At noon, on Tuesday, April 11, a telegram was delivered to Captain Anthony, which read as follows:--
Your friend S. has gone home. When do you sail?
J. Collins.
Captain Anthony at once cleared his vessel at the custom-house, and later in the day, as he was about to telegraph that he would start, word was brought to him at the hotel that the Catalpa had been seized by the custom-house officials and that an officer was in charge. The distracted captain hastened to the custom-house, and found his offense had been a violation of the law in landing a barrel of pork after he had cleared. After a long consultation the officers released the vessel, but it was then too late to sail.
On Wednesday, Captain Anthony telegraphed:--
I'll sail to-day. Good-by. Answer, if received.
G.S. Anthony.
Back came the reply:--
Your telegram received. Friday being Good Friday, I shall remain in Freemantle, and leave for York on Saturday morning. I wish you may strike oil. Answer, if received.
J. Collins.
Freemantle.
Captain Anthony at once appreciated the situation. He knew that the prisoners were detained in their cells on Sundays and holidays, and that his plan would have placed him at Rockingham on Friday. He replied to Breslin's telegram:--
Yours received. Did not leave to-day. Wind ahead and raining. Sail in the morning. Good-by.
G.S. Anthony.
That evening the captain discovered that his crew had been doing a rescue on its own account, and had stowed a ticket-of-leave man in the mizzen-topmast staysail. While he pitied the fellow, he was fearful that the authorities might discover the man hidden on his vessel, and make trouble which would interfere with the great object ahead. So he notified the police, and they came aboard and took the man ashore.
Still misfortune crowded in upon the conspirators. A heavy storm came on, extra anchors were necessary; but with the whole length of chain out the Catalpa dragged, and destruction on the bar was threatened.
It was impossible to sail, and Captain Anthony knew that Breslin's plans must be upset once more. He went to the telegraph office to send a message, and found it closed on account of the holiday. He hunted up the operator, a woman. She declined to go to the office, saying it would be useless, since the Freemantle office was closed. The captain pleaded, for he knew that everything depended upon it. At length the woman opened the office and sat down to the instrument.
She called for several minutes. There was no reply.
"I told you it would be of no use," she replied.
Just then came an answering click. The operator sat down at the instrument once more. After a moment, she said:--
"They are taking the message. An operator happened in."
Captain Anthony nearly shouted with joy. This is the message which he sent:--
J. Collins, Esq.:--
It has blown heavy. Ship dragged both anchors. Can you advance money, if needed? Will telegraph again in the morning.
G.S. Anthony.
Once more the element of good luck had manifested itself, this time at a most critical point.
On Saturday morning, April 15, Captain Anthony finally telegraphed:--
"I shall certainly sail to-day. Suppose you will leave for York Sunday morning. Good-by."
Straightway the answer came back:--
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