For the Term of His Natural Life
Page 66
May 15th.--There is a place enclosed between high walls adjoining theconvict barracks, called the Lumber Yard. This is where the prisonersmess. It is roofed on two sides, and contains tables and benches. Sixhundred men can mess here perhaps, but as seven hundred are alwaysdriven into it, it follows that the weakest men are compelled to sit onthe ground. A more disorderly sight than this yard at meal times Inever beheld. The cook-houses are adjoining it, and the men bake theirmeal-bread there. Outside the cook-house door the firewood is piled,and fires are made in all directions on the ground, round which sitthe prisoners, frying their rations of fresh pork, baking their hominycakes, chatting, and even smoking.
The Lumber Yard is a sort of Alsatia, to which the hunted prisonerretires. I don't think the boldest constable on the island would ventureinto that place to pick out a man from the seven hundred. If he did goin I don't think he would come out again alive.