Prison Games

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Peter didn't like to explain himself to anyone. Trying to curb his irritation, he answered, "This is something new. We're allowing the single female prisoners to pick one of the men to marry. It's either that, or stay here in one of the gaols. We aren't ansporting single women out."

"That's surprising to hear," Mathers responded. "When was this decision made, and by whom?"

"Can we discuss this later?" Reeves all but snapped. "Certainly," Mathers stated.

Red expected his sentence. It didn't matter that he stole because he was hungry; stealing was stealing. What did surprise him was the way he felt...completely at peace. He heard the journey was survivable at best. He knew the new land was not much better, but he had decided never to doubt God ever again. He would have to face the consequences but knew the Lord would sustain him.

When one of the magistrates had read the big man's name, Sophia leaned forward to hear it. James Patrick Murphy. A fine Irish name, she thought.

Sophia's heart went out to the big man, but why? Why did she care about him? She knew she was accused of the same crime as he, so her punishment would probably be the same. Anger filled her. Why was she even here? She looked around, only to blush when many eyes turned in her direction. Why should she feel shame when she didn't do anything?

Lifting her chin, she stood straighter. Who were these people to judge her? How shallow were their lives that they needed to sit all day in a room, and see others judged and sentenced? Would she be able to convince the judge of her innocence? She had been shouting her innocence from the beginning, but no one believed her yet. Why would he? Only Tess and God knew Sophia wasn't guilty. She certainly didn't expect either of them to show up anytime soon to speak on her behalf. Again she felt a longing in her soul...to be close to God like Gran had been. No, she wasn't going to do it; just call on God when she got in trouble. It wasn't right. It was too late now. She would have to get through this on her own.

Once the men were finished, the women were led, one by one, to the dreaded platform. Every once in a while the barrister would make a feeble attempt to defend the prisoner, but each time the prisoner was found guilty anyway. Sophia wondered if this man gor paid for being there. The one thing that puzzled everyone was the question that had been asked of each prisoner: "Are you married?" It had never mattered before.

One of the women was found guilty of killing her husband and sentenced to hang. She tried to explain that her husband had beaten several of their children so badly that one of them had died. She explained how she tried to protect her children from him, but it didn't matter. She had committed murder. She would hang. Sophia wondered sadly what would happen to the children. Why was there so much suffering in this world? The hysterical woman had to be half carried out of the courtroom.

The day wore on, causing a woman to faint from the heat. About the time Sophia thought she would die of thirst, buckets of water were brought in. The women were given a few minutes to sit and drink. The women collectively sighed in relief as they sat leaning against the back wall. After ten minutes all prisoners were led out in small groups for personal breaks. When they returned, the lanterns and chandelier were lit, and proceedings resumed.

Alice's name was the first called. The common shackles were removed, replaced by a smaller set. As Alice was being led, Sophia noticed she was hobbling. Probably from the leg irons. She sent up a quick prayer for Alice. She hoped God would listen, even if it was her doing the praying.

Peter barked at Alice once she took her place, "Your charge is p**********n. What do you say, guilty or not?"

Alice looked him square in the eye. "I be as innocent as yourself be." The spectators gasped. Sophia's heart sank. Surely Alice had sealed her fate with that remark. Everyone turned to look at the man who held Alice's future in his hands. Sophia expected him to be scarlet with anger, but after a second of surprise, he laughed. Soon most of the spectators were laughing along with him. Magistrate Mathers covered his mouth to hide a smile.

Barrister Boggs spoke up. "I find this lack of respect quite disturbing, sir!" Peter leaned forward, causing the laughter to die. "I, on the other hand, find this woman quite refreshing," Peter turned his attention back to Alice. She squirmed a little under his gaze. He ruffled some papers. "I see that you have been arrested before. What do you have to say to the court?"

Casting her eyes down, she replied, "Aye, sir, I cannot lie 'bout that, yer Lordship. Tis truth told that it be a time or two I be locked up, but there be another truth, sir. I would ne'er be able to make it to that foreign land. I not be sayin' that I have not wronged anyone. It just be that I'm not strong to take the sea, 'tis all."

Alice had told Sophia she'd been afraid of water all her life. The sea was the most frightening thing imaginable to her. She'd claimed she would drop dead of fear if she had to sail anywhere. Only her stiff old corpse would be left.

In a gentler tone, Peter spoke. "You have repeated arrests, and it would seem clear that you have no intention of turning yourself around. I have no choice but to sentence you to five years in service of the gaols. You will serve at Newgate. At least you will have a roof over your head and honest work."

Sophia found herself holding her breath. She looked at Alice for her reaction. At first it seemed as if Alice had not heard the sentence. She stood there quiet, then looked up at the younger man and nodded. Five years in the gaol was far better than death at sea. Alice stepped down and was led out.

"Next!" the magistrate called out.

Sophia watched Alice until the pulling of her wrist brought her attention back. Her turn had come. Queasiness threatened. She fought the sick feeling. All this was humiliating enough without getting sick too. Sophia tried to steel herself. No matter what, she had to remember that she was innocent. She refused to feel shame. She placed her hands on the rail to steady herself. Tears threatened to flow, so she closed her eyes and clenched her teeth. She had never felt so alone and scared. She comforted herself by thinking, I'll cry later.

Peter was getting tired. The heat was worse because of his robes and wig. He fought the urge to run out of the room. With resolve he looked down at the paperwork for the next case. Another thief...would this day not end?

Peter hated the way they shuffled their feet when they walked. He seemed to forget t about the leg irons. Yes, indeed, his contempt was harder and harder to hide when it came to these cowards. They wouldn't think twice of killing or robbing, but they had no backbone when it came to facing up to their deeds. He was starting to believe he was the one who had been given a life sentence. Having to face these miserable liars year after year was growing wearisome. His only reprieve today had been the old p********e and the big man. Prisoners usually didn't tell the truth. It was quite refreshing indeed when they did. He studied a young woman standing on the platform. She'd held his interest when she first entered his court. She stood out from the others.

Sophia looked back at him. Her eyes stayed fixed on him until he looked down, breaking the spell.

Peter spoke up. "It says here that you are a thief. Is that correct?" Sophia's tongue seemed twice its size, causing her words to stick in her throat.

"Well?" Peter questioned as he glanced up from his papers.

Sophia swallowed. "I have never stolen anything in my life, sir." "So you are completely innocent then?"

"No sir," Sophia came back. "I'm not innocent in my life, but I did not steal what I am accused of."

"Do you have any proof you can offer?"

"No."

Once again Peter looked down at the papers on his desk, then let out a disgusted sigh. He picked up a paper and held it up for Sophia to see. have sworn testimony here stating you did steal a necklace. Your word is of no value here. If that is all the proof you have, I am afraid I must find you guilty. Are you married, or do you have children?"

Sophia shook her head.

"I sentence you to seven years. You will be transported out with the others. That is all."

Sophia tried to will her eyes off this man who was about to change her life. She wanted to look away but could not. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but what could she say in her defense? Without asking, she knew who had written the statement of lies and then sworn them to be true.

She offered no resistance as she was led to the back room. Seething anger-and thoughts of strangling Tess-filled her.

The day wore on, causing many of the spectators to leave. Evening fell, and all were exhausted. Trying to speed things along, Mathers read the cases to Peter, letting him judge all the prisoners.