Prison Games

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Shrilly the woman insisted her cousin had just barely escaped with his own life. Sophia decided to listen but only believe about half of what she heard. Reality for Sophia was frightening enough. "Where do the ships go, and who decides if you go or not?" she asked the woman.

Another woman spoke. "I 'ear different places. Some call it Owstraler or something

like that."

"I think it's called Australia," another woman added. "I know of no monsters except the ones who keep this prison, but I have heard it is a great and terrible journey. If you make the journey at all, you then go to this foreign land to face unknown dangers. I have even heard there are black, ferocious men there."

Alice shrugged and quipped, "Sounds like all the men aroun' ere. Sounds like

'ome."

The women chuckled.

The same woman added, "I hear 'tis the magistrate who decides our fate to go or not. That made the most sense. The woman went on. "I do know that if you are married, your husband can't go with you. Your babes can, if your husband lets them. I know of a woman whose husband was sent out; she never heard from him again."

"Do you think if we get sent there, we'll ever get back home?" someone asked. "Can't say, but from what I hear, I doubt it. I don't know if a lot of the ships make it. If they do, I don't know what happens next. I would guess those poor souls are worked to death." The woman seemed to forget she was now one of those poor souls.

Sophia noticed that Alice pulled the old scrap of cloth from her pocket and ran it through her fingers. It seemed that whenever Alice was troubled, the cloth soothed her. Sophia was about to ask her about it but thought better of it. If Alice wanted her to know, she would tell her.

"Wha' if ya can't swim?" Alice asked. Sophia detected a quiver in her voice. "What does that have to do with it? They don't care if we can swim or not," was the

answer given. Alice nodded.

Finally the women grew quiet. They faced another cold, damp, lonely night. Suddenly men showed up with extra blankets and food. "Ere be warm food for your bellies. I don't want no trouble tonight. Sleep 'cause yer gettin' hell on the morrow."

No one had the courage to ask what he meant by that.

They ate in silence, then tried to rest. Sleep was lost to them, all except for Alice. Her snores would have made a sailor proud.

A possibility had haunted Sophia since they left the gaol. What if she was to be hanged? In some ways it didn't seem any worse or better than being shipped off to the end of the world. Fear was fear, and Sophia feared them both. What a strange name...Australia. It sounded as if it wasn't part of this world at all. She couldn't comprehend how big the sea was, let alone another land. She had nothing to gauge her imaginings on, so was unable to calm herself. Were there really sea monsters, and who were those ferocious black men? She gave up trying to sleep, but somewhere in the night she did. She slept deep and dreamless, as if she did not have a care in the world.

Voices roused Sophia, and for a split second she couldn't remember where she was, When reality hit, dread swept over her once again. Would she feel anything but fear and trepidation ever again? Sophia stretched, trying to get the kinks out. Soon food was brought in. Most of the women stared at it, but Sophia forced herself to eat. It was cold and tasteless, but there was no telling when she would get another chance. The others soon saw the wisdom in it and also ate..

A gaoler barked out, causing the women to jump, "Urry up with yas now. Day of judgment fer ya sins be 'ere, and the judge ain't takin' a notion to wait on ya, so git movin'."

The women stood quietly, not knowing what they were supposed to do. Fear in their faces seemed to bring about a lighter mood in the man.

"Ah, don't want to face the music, does yas? Ya likes to play, but when it comes to payin' fer it, ya be afraid, ain't yas?" He didn't seem so innocent in life himself, Katic thought. "Line up now, and git yerselves ready to see the ol' judges." he added. "They don't take to ya being late, so 'urry!"

The day Sophia had been waiting for had finally come. She felt relieved and fearful at the same time. Relieved, for the waiting was over. Soon she would know some of what lay ahead. Once again the women were lined up and shackled. The chains seemed heavier than before.

"The ol' men don't want no prisoners unchained in their courtroom, neither. Especially wild women," the man scoffed. "Ya be a dangerous bunch. I can sees it fet sure. I like wild women even without any 'air on their 'eads." He snickered, pinching one of them.

The women were led out into the sunshine, but it didn't seem quite as bright as yesterday. They crossed a courtyard filled with flowerbeds of brightly colored blooms and an ornate fountain. Why put things of beauty in such an ugly place? Sophia mused.

Arriving across the courtyard, the women were shoved into some kind of backroom. Other women were there as well, so it was crowded and stifling. To Sophia, it seemed that they were either freezing or barely able to breathe. The turnkeys left them shackled and alone. Some of the women whispered among themselves, but most were quiet.

A woman Sophia didn't know shared her pitiful story. How she had to steal food for her children after her husband died. Now she didn't know where her children were. She began crying bitterly. Sophia wanted to comfort her, but she had no comfort to give. Someone else stepped forward to hold the pitiful creature. Even the hardest heart melted in the woman's brokenness. Without a word the women joined hands as if to strengthen one another.

"Maybe we should pray?" someone offered.

Another shyly prayed a stumbling, sincere prayer. "Dear God, I ne'er talked ta ya afore. I don't know if ya can even 'ear me, but we are scared. We don't know what all is goin' ta 'appen, but 'elp us, God. We ain't got nobody else in the world. Please, God, elp that woman, and 'er babes. Thank ya, God."

Everyone whispered, "Amen."

Many hours passed, giving them a lot of time to think and worry, but not Alice; she had fallen sound asleep. She never ceased to amaze Sophia. Just about the time Sophia thought she had Alice figured out, the woman would surprise her again. Alice had unquestionably lived a difficult life. Even so, Sophia never heard her complain nor ask for anything for herself. The older woman seemed harsh at times, but her concern for others was apparent. Sophia felt closer to her than anyone. With tenderness, she stretched her blanket over the sleeping Alice. Lying back, Sophia tried to rest.

There were many questions, but few answers. One thing was for sure: their day of reckoning was here.

H eavy shackles caused the women to hobble as they walked into a large room. opulence. Bright sunlight caused them to squint. Once their eyes adjusted, they could see the Victorian splendor of the room. Many had never seen such It was like entering Queen Victoria's court, with all the ornately carved wood. Heavy red fabric elegantly draped the four ceiling-to-floor windows. A beautiful chandelier hung in the center of the room. On each side of the room, tall lantern posts stood guard. In the front of the room a massive desk reigned on a much higher platform, making it easier for the two magistrates, wearing white wigs and sitting side by side, to look down on everyone.

Two men dressed in red uniforms with gold braiding and black hats with feathers stood on each side of the high platform. Polished heavy wooden benches on one side of the room were filled with spectators. A large platform with a railing running the length of it held male prisoners. The women were led to stand behind the men.

Everyone stared as the women entered the room. Sophia shook head to foot. She had decided to be brave, but her mind forgot to tell her body. She didn't remember her shaved head until she saw the big, red-haired man. Suddenly her face flamed. Strange she would care what he thought. He smiled, but she pretended not to notice.

The women looked around the room. A little man with a white wig posed in front of the magistrate's desk. Near to him was a table stacked full of papers. In the center of the room was a small platform with railings on three sides for the prisoners.

Court was already in progress. Only a few male prisoners remained to face their fate. The small man, wrestling with all the papers, seemed to know very little of what was going on. From time to time he would make some weak comments and glance at his pocketwatch as if being held from something important. Sophia figured he must be a barrister. God help us all, she prayed. If he was the only defender they had, the prisoners might as well grab the oars and head for Australia.

The magistrate was clearly anxious to end this day. When the women had entered, it caused quite a stir. "Silence in the room," he declared.

One by one the men left were led to the smaller platform. Once a man was sentenced, the magistrate asked him whether he was married or not. The answer given depended on whether the man was put in the back room or led back to the gaol.

Red, at the very front of the platform, watched Sophia walk in with her head held high. He felt strangely proud of her. He calmly watched the proceedings until two turnkeys came to lead him toward the smaller platform. They released him from the common chains and put separate irons on him, doublechecking to make sure he was secure.

Magistrate Peter Reeves glanced at the prisoner being led forward. He was glad this man was chained. Usually one man guarded each prisoner, but they had two guards on this one. The size of the man was impressive.

After hearing the charge, Peter addressed the man. "Do you realize that by stealing that food you left those deserving of it hungry?"

"Yes, sir," Red answered.

"Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Peter added. Red simply stated he was wrong in what he did.

"Do you have anything you would like to say, Barrister Boggs, in defense of this man?" Peter looked at the defender. "No, sir. This man has stated that he is guilty of the theft, so indeed there is

nothing more to be said."

Peter conferred with his partner, Magistrate Mathers, before sentencing Red. He looked down at his desk as if going over some information, but in reality he was thinking. It was unusual for a man to state he was guilty. He was more accustomed to hearing lies, pleading, and excuses. Again, Peter was impressed with this man. "Prisoner, are you married, or do you have family in these parts or own property here?"

"No, sir, no wife, family, or property.

Peter continued, "You are hereby sentenced to be transported to Botany Bay for no less than seven years. You will be given the privilege of making a new life for yourself there. At the end of your seven-year sentence, you can stay there or you may choose to be shipped back to England. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity I am giving you to make a new home and life for yourself. Next prisoner, forward!"

Mathers cleared his throat and leaned toward Reeves with a lifted brow. "If it's not 100 much trouble, could you explain what this is about? Why ask if the man is married or not?"