“For that matter, you will often see refractory prisoners punished in this jail. You had better mind your own business in the jail, it will find you work enough.”
“I will, Mr. Hawes; to dissuade men from cruelty is a part of it.”
“If you come between me and the prisoners, sir, you won't be long here.”
The new chaplain smiled.
“What does it matter whether I'm here or in Patagonia, so that I do my duty wherever I am?” said he with a fine mixture of good-humor and spirit.
Hawes turned his back rudely and went and reduced Robinson's supper fifty per cent.
“Evans, is that sort of punishment often inflicted here?”
“Well, sir, yes. It is a common punishment of this jail.”
“It must be very painful.”
“No, sir, it's a little oncomfortable that is all; and then we've got such a lot here we are obliged to be down on 'em like a sledge-hammer, or they'd eat us up alive.”