hing completion; and, on account of good conduct, he had
received the appointment of Vater to Punishment Room No. 1. The benefits
were enumerated to me with open eyes by one of the prisoners--"Double
rations, two rugs, and a mass-bier a day!"

The result of my application to the Vater was the instant calling out of
several young lads, who crouched all day in the darkest end of the
room--a condemned corner, abounding in vermin; and I heard no more of the
sink and so forth. The next day a newcomer occupied my position.

At about seven o'clock the bolts were again withdrawn, the ponderous door
opened, and the Corporal--who seemed to fill the office of
ward-inspector--marched into the chamber. He was provided with a small
note-book and a pencil, and made a general inquiry into the wants and
complaints of the prisoners. Several of them asked for little
indulgences. All these were duly noted down to be complied with the next
day--always supposing that the prisoner possessed a small capital "up
above." I stepped forward, and humbly made my request for a rug. "You!"
exclaimed the Corporal, eyeing me sharply. "Oh! you are the
Englishman?--No!"

I heard some one near me mutter: "So; struck a policeman! No mercy for
him from the other policemen--any of them."

The Vater dared not help me; but two of his most intimate friends made me
lie down between them; and, swaddled in their rugs, I passed the night
miserably. The hard boards, and the vermin, effectually broke my
slumbers.

The morning came. The rules of the prison required that we should all
rise at six, roll up the rugs, lay them at the heads of our beds, and
sweep out the room. Weary and sore, I paced the prison while these
things were done. Even the morning ablution was comfortless and
distressing; a pocket-handkerchief serving but indifferently for a towel.

Restless activity now took full possession of the prisoners. There was
not the combined shouting or singing of the previous day; but there was
independent action, which broke out in various ways. Hunger had roused
them; the prison allowance is one meal a day: and although, by husbanding
the supply, some few might eke it out into several repasts, the majority
had no such control over their appetite. Tall, gaunt lads, just starting
into men, went roaming about with wild eyes, purposeless, pipkin in hand,
although hours must elapse before the meal would come. Caged beasts pace
their narrow prisons w