worked in irons with the other incorrigibles. From this, after a while,
he was transferred to a quarry party, and again made over to a settler
as an assigned servant. His treatment from this master was even more
tyrannical than he had experienced before; for the most imaginary
offence, and frequently for no offence at all, but just at the caprice
of the master, he was treated to various applications of the lash, and
restricted allowances of his miserable rations. His slavery was the most
abject, his misery the most consummate, and his degradation the most
venal and depraved: he was the image of the man without the mental
spark; the human being in semblance, but the brute in reality.

The character of Dick's employer was well known; and hardened as all
were by the repetition of scenes that would have made the heart of a
novice sicken, most, even of the officials, looked upon him as too harsh
and cruel, though none attempted to check his insatiable inhumanity. A
circumstance, however, transpired, which speedily brought this state of
things to a crisis. Dick had only returned one day from the "triangle,"
with his body lacerated by the punishment he had been undergoing, when
he was ordered by his master to instantly resume his labour, while he
taunted him and laughed at his emaciated appearance. The heat of the sun
was oppressive, and Dick, though he had borne unflinchingly the
infliction of the lash, was sick at heart, and debilitated by the loss
of blood. All his evil passions were aroused within him; and it was
only with an unwilling hand and suppressed oath of threatened vengeance
that he resumed his work; while his tormentor continued to goad him with
a recollection of his past and present misery, and a prospect of fresh
torture. The unfeeling wretch continued his banter until human nature
could bear it no longer, and with the spade which he held in his hand,
Dick clove the skull of his inordinate persecutor. He never attempted to
escape from the fate which he knew awaited him; but permitted himself to
be led quietly to that confinement which he was aware would only
terminate with the close of his life. He remained in durance for some
months or so, during which his master hovered between life and death;
who, when he was sufficiently recovered to be enabled to move about, was
gratified by having the unfortunate criminal brought to justice.

In those days the laws against the convicts were very summary; short
work was m