Peace was to be one of the party, for the season for whitewashing had come, and the prison was to be done throughout.
The work was by no means laborious—indeed it was deemed a sort of pastime by the men who were appointed to perform the task.
The wash was made with lime, and as is usual in such cases, large flat brushes were used.
Peace soon proved himself to be an expert in the use of the whitewash brush.
He had also a good knowledge as to mixing the materials used in the process.
While engaged with the whitewash gang he obtained a good deal of information about the interior arrangements of the prison.
He and his fellow-workmen were at work for more than a week on the walls of the gaol.
Three days were devoted to the passages and in the sick wards, and three days in the women’s wards.
But they saw nothing of the female prisoners, as before they went to work the ward to be whitened was cleared out, not a single occupant of it being allowed to remain.
They had, however, left several memorials on the walls of their prison-house.