A Sense of Justice

Chapter 2

2

‘Ah yes; thank-you, Hawkins’, said the Governor to the prison guard and then quickly added with unmistakeable authority, ‘you can leave me alone with the prisoner but wait outside. There’s a good man.’

‘Now Taylor, we need to talk,’ grumbled the Governor as he turned his attention to Harry. Before him stood a mature youth at least six feet tall, long of limb and square of shoulder, his light brown hair unkempt and unclean… and unnervingly blue eyes. Yes, he recognised him, just; altogether a little gaunt, but that was to be expected given the prison food. Nevertheless, a fine example of approaching manhood, someone who the Governor knew would have made this lad’s father very proud. ‘No, you can’t sit. I don’t want your stink embedded into my furniture.’

While maintaining a relaxed, attentive stance, Harry courteously nodded his understanding, for he knew he was indeed on the nose. However, his gaze remained fixed upon the Governor’s eyes.

‘I’ve been considering your audacious request since we first met; three weeks ago, I believe. I must say, Taylor, it has merit, so listen carefully.

‘The rumours you somehow heard about were correct. Due to an ever-increasing number of felons convicted under existing laws, this prison and a hundred or more around our country will soon be enlarged to accommodate many, many more poor souls just like you.

‘To punish people for crimes of even less magnitude than yours, our nation’s being flooded with prisoners… which I believe amounts to treachery being needlessly served upon many unlucky folks. I’m glad that you agree with my views, Taylor.

‘You were also correct that there’s now considerable opposition from our new colonies to where our felons have previously been automatically transported and then dumped… and rightly so in my opinion. You can’t really blame those governors for being sick and tired of us continuing to do that.

‘Incidentally, I was officially informed this very morning that our government is finally about to announce the end of future prisoner transportation programs. Presumably, our infallible Government believe their prison expansion program will solve all their future prisoner accommodation problems.

‘I emphatically reject this flawed development, Taylor but regrettably I’m powerless to alter any laws: they just want a bit each way and bugger any humanitarian considerations!

‘Logically our prison numbers will now continue to grow dramatically, not reduce, yet our “powers that be” still want no immediate change to their overriding objective… to get rid of all offenders. Yes Taylor, that includes people like you, as absurd as that is. And if I want to keep my job, I’m now being forced to reduce my prison population as efficiently as possible… before transportation is formally abolished!’

Harry shifted his weight and said, ‘Mr Galbraith… ah, Governor. I greatly appreciate your frankness and I believe your frustration is genuine. As my life depends on it, I pledge not to betray your views. But sir, where is this conversation going?’

‘Be patient for just a few more minutes, young man. And be certain that if I ever hear my words being spoken against me, I’ll know their source and I’ll have you swinging from the nearest gallows in record time.’

Harry swallowed and shuffled uneasily. ‘We are in total agreement then, sir,’ he replied confidently, for there was no doubting the menace in the Governor’s words.

‘I’ve read the court’s notes in your file and admit I was taken by your domestic situation leading to your arrest and subsequent senseless conviction,’ Galbraith continued. ‘I too lost my father from an untreatable malady; “consumption” the doctors called it. He died a terrible death and he too Taylor, was a good man, just like your father.’

Governor Galbraith’s voice was now subdued, his words tumbling out as if he was talking to his own son. ‘I have no right, but bugger it, boy, I resolved there and then to assist you in any way possible. Regrettably however, I can’t release you Harry, but I can perhaps smooth the way for you.

‘Accompanying that Government announcement I mentioned earlier, I received a demand that fourteen of the worst cases in my care are to be prepared for immediate transportation to New Holland.

‘Accordingly, I’ve signed all the documentation for the fourteen of those I consider my worst scoundrels, but what you need to know now is just how lucky you are, son… for I’ve also accepted your most unusual offer to volunteer for transportation. You’ll be among the last inmates to leave Coldbath Fields Prison.’

As realisation settled, Harry started to grin, then suddenly his face lit up in an equal measure of surprise and understanding, eyes wide open and open-mouthed. In unison, the Governor smiled broadly.

‘Bugger the furniture, Harry, you’d better sit-down lad; we’ve got much more to discuss. And don’t take offence at the need to characterise you as a scoundrel; I for one know that’s preposterous. However, I’m sure you’ll handle that minor inconvenience of title.

‘To answer your earlier question, our government, in its infinite wisdom, has elected not to cancel those transportations previously scheduled. You will therefore be sailing on the Hougoumont, which will depart from Portsmouth on the 12th of October. Yes, that’s right Harry, it departs in just seven days’ time and that’ll be the last time any British ship departs our shores as a prisoner transportation vessel.

‘Mind you, there are at least four other such ships already at sea, heading for New Holland as we speak. Of course, none of them will have any idea about this development and none will return with their current cargo; that’s definite.

‘Fortunately, you didn’t delay your request for a hearing with me: had you done so, we would not be having this second conversation. A refusal was always on the cards, but regardless, you showed great mettle for which I salute you. However, I can’t imagine your chances of surviving another seven years in this soul-destroying place had you missed this opportunity. Can you?’

‘Definitely not, Mr Galbraith,’ replied Harry, ‘I was close to going crazy as it was, Guv.’

‘Right then, here’s what will happen in the next few days. You will receive from me a letter of my recognition of your good behaviour, usefulness and general helpful conduct while in my care. These remarks will be based upon me having witnessed your legendary carpentry skills and having discussed with you your interest in animal husbandry… though I feel I may be stretching the truth slightly. I’d suggest that you quickly learn as much as you can about both activities. I can’t recommend anyone regarding the former, but Hawkins, your esteemed turnkey, was raised on a farm and apparently once owned several horses. I’ll have a word with him to answer your questions and set you right on farming matters.’

The Governor stared back at Harry, not quite sure why the lad’s expression was so dreamlike. In essence, Harry was dumbfounded by the pace of proceedings and wondering how on earth he could ever repay such consideration.

Regardless, the Governor pressed on. ‘To hopefully make it easier for you to find employment in your new country, my letter will also recommend that you be granted a Ticket of Leave as soon as possible upon your arrival; it will state that in my professional judgment you are a person to be trusted: indeed, a worthy volunteer and not a scoundrel.’

‘Bloody hell, Mr Galbraith, that’s really decent of you,’ Harry interrupted excitedly, oblivious that he had just sworn in front of the Governor.

‘Just make sure you do not lose this letter; your life might depend upon it. I’d also suggest that you endear yourself with the ship’s Captain. His name is William Cozens. I know little about him, but if he is a fair-minded individual, he may “keep an eye out for you”, so to speak: no guarantee of course.’

The Governor then reached behind his chair and produced a medium-sized canvas and leather carry bag which he passed to Harry. ‘Now take this and look after it. I know this is most irregular, as are the thirty pennies hidden inside. You’ll also find some half decent clothes in there, so make sure you tub up before you put them on. You can’t go on board in those stinking rags you’re now wearing. And wash your hair.’

‘With pleasure, sir,’ Harry replied happily, but quickly the expression on his face changed to one of serious concern. ‘Do you know much about the ship, Mr Galbraith… or what it’ll be like on board?’

‘Yes, a little. I know that the Hougoumont is referred to as a Blackwall frigate. It has three masts and is fully rigged for sailing. As I said earlier, it will depart from Portsmouth on the 12th of October. There will be two hundred and eighty prisoners and over a hundred passengers on board, which includes the prisoner guards and their families, and several free passengers. I daresay the ship is quite large, but I suspect free space will be at a premium. And oh yes, there will be a surgeon on board.

‘I’ve also been informed that there will be many literate convicts on board, more than usual for a convict ship; something to do with their unacceptable political beliefs.

‘I was told only yesterday by our prison librarian that the Hougoumont was chartered by the French as a troop carrier during the Crimean War, albeit then it was known as the Baraguey d’Hilliers. So it’s my guess it would’ve been easier to convert it into a convict ship, rather than others on offer. Regrettably Harry, you’re about to discover just how good a job they did, or otherwise.

‘Based on previous sailings, apparently it takes about ninety days to travel to the west coast of New Holland. Obviously, that’ll depend upon sailing conditions. Once you arrive, you’ll be off-loaded at a small community known as Fremantle, where you’ll be assigned to a prison cell and again, regrettably, to an uncertain future. It’s my belief however, that opportunities abound in that new colony, based on an ever-increasing number of favourable reports which confirm this.

‘Well, that’s about all I can tell you and do for you, son. Just keep your nose clean if you know what I mean … and good luck.’

‘I’ll not forget your consideration and kindness, Mr Galbraith,’ said Harry as he thrust out his hand to shake that of his keeper.

‘One last word of warning, lad. There will be some nasty and unsavoury individuals accompanying you: murderers, rapists and some totally deranged poor bastards. Stay clear of them all!

‘You also need to know that one such person, a huge loathsome beast of a man, is among that lot. His surname is Bickford, but for some reason he calls himself “Brickie”. Based on our experience with him here at Coldbath, he’ll do everything in his power to get the better of you physically and mentally. If you run into this bastard while on board and he challenges you, summon the guards immediately and let them deal with him. Just make sure that you let those guards know his only weakness; he has an unnatural aversion to water. The only way we’ve been able to keep him under control is to threaten to throw buckets of cold water over him any time he plays up.

* * *

For several hours after the Governor had transferred Harry back into Hawkins’ care, Harry was amazed at not only how quickly his plan had progressed… but even more astonished at how the meeting he’d just attended had left his self-belief and confidence soaring.