10. The journey to a new home
That evening McAlister confirmed the news that we were to report to the Commandant at Port Arthur where we would shortly find transportation to Sydney. McAlister, having observed the daily punishment of the youths who had transgressed some rule or other, seemed intent on resuming his acquaintance with my posterior but, upon observing the disfigurement caused by the birch, sought out some hapless lad in the punishment block. By the time he returned he was interested only in sleep and it was not until the following morning that I could address with him my principal matter of concern being the fate of young Ned.
When the opportunity presented itself I found that Ned's position had already been established as a companion of one of the overseers and that, by the standards prevailing, he would be reasonably well treated. McAlister refused my request for an opportunity to say goodbye to Ned and our little band made its way to Port Arthur - me with a heavy heart.
Despite its pleasant setting, Port Arthur was a brutal and unappealing settlement where flogging was the norm and every form of torture and depravity was visited upon the weak. In no place had the principle of the meek inheriting the earth ever been so obscenely perverted. During the two days we were there I heard, but did not see, the sounds of floggings and the screams of the victims as I lay recovering from my own wounds. Exercise was important for the healing process but I took my excursions at times when the punishment square was not in use. It was bad enough to see men confined in stocks awaiting punishment without actually observing their fate.
At night I found that the prisoners who were confined in public were subjected to all forms of indignity from which they could not escape. Although I submitted in a not dissimilar fashion to Robert McAlister's desires, I think the simple absence of any possibility of escape was the aspect of their predicament which appalled and saddened me.
Since my backside was in no condition to accommodate Robert's needs, I resorted to using my mouth and hands to relieve him of his insatiable lusts and, when we departed for Sydney I had re-established the bond between us.
Our journey to Sydney took less than a week and the trip was uneventful. Robert treated me with kindness and love and talked about our continuing to share our lives in much the same manner that Jim and Mr Finch had agreed they would. Our arrival in Sydney was one of the most spectacular days of my life for the enormous harbour, heavily timbered hills which greeted us gave no hint of the town which was nestled within it. As we sailed down the main arm of the harbour, the first signs of habitation appeared amongst the trees and then, eventually, the very substantial town lay before us. It was much larger and grander than I had expected and I eagerly awaited the opportunity to explore its wonders.
McAlister and Finch were somewhat nervous about their futures since neither had been informed as to whether they would be stationed here or would return to England. Jim and I were similarly at the disposal of the powers which governed our lives but neither of us was particularly concerned.
Once upon land, we were transported by carriage to the main barracks which was some distance from the harbour and which bore the name of our sovereign, Victoria. The establishment was an imposing place, carefully laid out and built by convict labour from stone hewn from local quarries.
The two Marines reported upon arrival to the Barracks Commander and were advised that they had been assigned to a settlement further north at a place named after the early colony's revered Governor - Lachlan Macquarie. McAlister was promoted to the field rank of Major and Mr Finch to that of Captain, by order of the Governor and McAlister invested with all the powers of the Governor upon assuming command of the convict settlement.
Preparations for our journey afforded little time to explore Sydney Town since McAlister was required to make his way to Port Macquarie with all possible haste. Whilst the newly-elevated Major and Captain were acquainted with their new commissions, Jim and I were taken into town to be outfitted since we were to be orderlies to the two men who would run the settlement.
Compared with Port Arthur, Sydney was a very civilised place with a preponderance of merchants and traders who were rapidly growing rich from the growing of wool and its export to England. We saw few children since education was mandatory and dared not venture near the bawdy houses without the protection of our respective masters.
Within a week we had been provided with a ship to convey us to Port Macquarie, additional provisions for the settlement, mail and the other paraphernalia of administration. Our vessel also carried four prisoners who were under sentence of death. These were the men who had led the attack on Mr Finch and Jim during our visit to Norfolk Island. McAlister had persuaded the Governor that he should supervise their executions since he had been at the scene of the crime. I did not recognise any of the four but felt no remorse at their fate nor, indeed, at the Major's apparent intention of making their path to death as unpleasant as the law would permit.
Our arrival at Port Macquarie was greeted with some uncertainty and even derision since no one new of the Major's attitudes or beliefs, let alone his administrative skills. The place itself was not impressive even though the setting was quite delightful. Some dwellings and shops littered the rolling hills but the most prominent feature was the large convict built prison consisting of a random gathering of barracks, dwellings, stores and accommodation for the officers and men.
We were greeted by the acting Governor whose predecessor has apparently come to an untimely end whilst fishing from a long boat. His inability to swim and the apparent disinterest in those with him in rescuing him combined to take his life. His temporary replacement seemed over endowed with flesh, under endowed with intellect and more than a little partial to alcohol. I laughed inwardly as he greeted the new Governor with a somewhat incoherent speech, knowing full well that his remaining days here were very few indeed.
The Governor's quarters were most comfortable and Robert directed that I should occupy a room on the ground floor whilst he would occupy the set of private room above. Lieutenant Finch and Jim were similarly established in an adjacent building.
McAlister had no sooner arrived than he went on an inspection of the place with Mr Finch and I in his entourage. He made mental notes as he went but said nothing until the inspection was completed. I sensed trouble brewing.
Trouble sometimes develops slowly but on this occasion it exploded with all the fury of a violent storm although those who were its focus could not see it coming.
McAlister summoned all commissioned officers to join him for sherry which all assumed to be an informal getting to know you occasion. They gathered in the Officers Mess and were duly introduced to their new commander and to Mr Finch. Jim and I were simply the orderlies and no one took the slightest notice of us.
Introductions completed, the storm broke in the form of a tirade from McAlister who berated the assembly for being slovenly, ill disciplined and for ignoring their primary purpose which was to control the prisoners and see to it that the infrastructure of the colony was established. The consumption of liquor during the hours of sunlight was banned immediately, discipline was to be enforced and from the following morning every single prisoner was to be put to work. The erstwhile commander of the settlement was ordered to pack his belongings and to return to Sydney on the vessel which had brought us here that day.
As Robert's tirade approached its conclusion, one rather foolish lieutenant made a comment to a companion regarding McAlister's prospects of being able to enforce his directives. The room when still as McAlister stared at the young man and enquired as to his name.
"Lieutenant Campbell, Sir" replied the offender.
"Well Mr Campbell," said McAlister in a quiet but firm voice, "you might doubt my ability to enforce discipline here but you shall find out tomorrow that I mean what I say. You, Sir, shall have the honour of being the first officer here whom I shall have flogged and if anyone else here thinks that they can get away with such impertinence, be assured that I shall not hesitate to have each and every one of you flogged if it becomes necessary. Lieutenant, you are confined to your quarters until the punishment parade tomorrow. My orderly shall provide you with food this evening, but if you so much as step foot outside your quarters until I summon you I shall not hesitate in having you hanged."
The effect was truly amazing. The stunned Lieutenant was visibly shaken as he retreated to his quarters whilst the remainder watched in absolute silence.
"Gentlemen," said McAlister, "I shall undertake a more thorough inspection tomorrow but I am appalled at what I have seen today. Mr Finch, you are directed to take responsibility for enforcing the rules here. I shall make my intentions clear tomorrow when I shall expect to see every prisoner on parade and every officer and soldier in formation as well. The prison commandant, his most senior men and I shall meet this evening. Dismissed."
McAlister strode from the room leaving behind him a shocked and worried group.
Over dinner, McAlister met with the prison commandant and three of his senior overseers. I served the meal and overheard much of what was said. The commandant and his men were civilians and had responsibility for the running of the prison while the marines were responsible for overall security and for guarding the work details. It was quickly apparent that the marines had ignored their duties and considered themselves unaccountable to anyone, especially the prison commandant. McAlister determined that he would rectify that situation but I did not hear the means by which he intended to achieve this for at that moment he directed that I should take some food to Lieutenant Campbell.
When I reached Campbell's room I found a very scared young man who was uncertain as to whether McAlister really intended to carry out his directive. I assured Campbell that he would most certainly be flogged on the morrow and that it might serve his interests if he were to ensure that his uniform was pressed and his boots well shined so that he might present an image of a professional soldier to the Governor.
By the time I returned to McAlister's quarters, the meal had been completed and the five men were discussing matters of detail. As I stood waiting to provide additional port if required, McAlister outlined his priorities.
"Firstly," he said, I want to ensure that discipline is maintained and for that I shall wish to see that the instruments required are available and in good order. We shall attend to that first thing in the morning. I shall want a block set aside for punishment cells so that miscreants cannot cause unrest by being in circulation with the other prisoners as they await their punishment. I shall also want a new gallows built.
"Since I am also responsible for the civilian population I shall issue a decree setting out the rules which clearly are not being observed at present. All children shall go to school, public drunkenness shall be punished, and all criminals shall be punished in public. Mind you, no young women shall be allowed to attend the punishment of men or boys and no men shall be able to observe the punishment of women or girls. I shall not encourage immodesty. Finally, gentlemen, all prisoners shall work and all shall attend church services on Sundays. Is that all clear?"
"Yes Governor," replied the commandant adding that "it will a refreshing change to see some order put back into life in the colony".
After the officials had left, Robert asked that I mess up my bed to make it appear that I had slept in it and then to join him in his quarters. I did so with alacrity and was rewarded with a night of passion during which he declared his love and his determination that we should remain together. He envisaged taking up the offer of a grant of farming land and gradually developing it.
When our passion was spent and we made ready for sleep, I asked him about the punishment he was clearly determined to mete out to the unfortunate Lieutenant.
"Don't worry your head about that," he said. "I shall make an example of him but shall be reasonably lenient. His offence was rather minor and his punishment should be equal to the crime. If I am too severe, there is no room for dealing more seriously with much greater issues."
"He looked so frightened," said I "and I suspect he hasn't taken any of the food which I took him."
Turning my face to his, Robert looked me in the eyes and said: "Chris, you know I have to take control of this miserable lot. You know also that I find _s_e_x_ual excitement in seeing punishments administered but you also know that I am fair. I shall not treat anyone more harshly than the situation requires and I shall try to contain my lust when I seek the pleasure of your body. I can do no more that do my best to fulfil these pledges." He kissed me, as if sealing a pact and I folded myself within his arms hopeful that we would be able to keep his end of the bargain.
The following morning commenced with a parade after breakfast. This was the moment when Robert had to exert his authority.
First he inspected the marines, escorted by Mr Finch and Jim who was his orderly. From time to time he would reprimand a soldier for the poor state of his uniform or his weapons. By the time he had made his way through the ranks, three soldiers had been placed upon report and would be summarily dealt with. This was clearly an attempt to show the prisoners that standards applied to the soldiers as well as the prisoners.
He then moved to the centre of the parade and mounted the dais. Standing alone, Robert set about establishing his role by stating his intentions. Rules would be observed and breached would be dealt with as prescribed by law. A magistrate would be asked to join the colony from Sydney as soon as possible to ensure that the law was upheld, the prison commandant would run the prison and the soldiers would enforce his instructions. Each day, at noon, other than Sundays, any prisoner or settler who had infringed the law would be dealt with publicly. Hangings would be carried out only on Fridays.
Having set the rules, McAlister directed Lieutenant Finch to dismiss the parade, the commandant to set the prisoners to work and the senior Marine Sergeant to bring the soldiers who had been placed upon report to his office for judgement. He then left the dais without so much as a look in any direction and strode off to his office.
I waited until Mr Finch dismissed the parade and then followed Mr Finch and Jim to McAlister's office.
"A fine performance, Robert" said Finch.
"Thank you," he replied.
At that moment the Sergeant knocked on the door and announced the arrival of the prisoners.
McAlister indicated that we three should move to one side and requested that the sergeant march the prisoners in.
The three had clearly not been chosen at random. Their uniforms were clearly unwashed and their appearance unkempt.
"You men are a disgrace to your uniforms," declared McAlister. "Do any of you have an excuse for your appearance?"
None of the three offered an explanation.
Turning to the Sergeant, McAlister asked: "If the decision was yours to make Sergeant, what punishment would you impose of these men?"
"Well Sir," replied the Sergeant, "if it were my decision I would strip the skin off their backsides. A flogging would be a little severe for a first offence Sir."
"I understand that there is no Master-at-Arms here at present Sergeant. Do you think you are suited to that task?" asked McAlister.
"Sir, I would be honoured Sir" replied the Sergeant.
"Your name, Sergeant?"
"Sergeant Phillips, Sir," replied the burly non-commissioned officer.
"Mr Finch," McAlister decreed, "please instate Sergeant Phillips as Master-at-Arms and see that his pay is increased accordingly. Mr Phillips, you are to take these men and see that they are properly washed, shaved and dressed. At the parade at noon today, you shall supervise the flogging of the junior officer whom I have confined to quarters and the caning of these three. Choose one of your men to administer punishments but make sure that he has the strength and the will to do justice."
"Yes Sir," came the reply.
Looking at the three soldiers, McAlister said: "While I am certain that this is not a first offence, it is the first under my command. Accordingly, I shall deal lightly with you. But if you ever present yourselves in such a state again I shall see to it that you bear the scars for the rest of your miserable lives. You shall each receive a dozen strokes of the cane. Dismissed!"
McAlister then left his office in order to attend to the four prisoners from Norfolk Island who were to die. It being only Tuesday, McAlister had three days in which to exact retribution for their assault on Ned and Mr Finch.
The four had been locked in cells set aside for the condemned but McAlister had a need to make their last days as miserable as possible and ordered that they be put to hard labour in chains. Their supervisors were instructed to record the slightest misdeed and report to him at the end of the day. He advised the four that they would be punished each evening and would be hanged one at a time at noon on Friday.
Satisfied that they knew that revenge was his objective, McAlister then went about organising with the prison commandant and the senior marine officer for a meeting with the settlers at which he would spell out the manner in which he intended to run the colony.
To demonstrate his acceptance of the local community as a part of the settlement, McAlister and I ate early at a local hotel and enjoyed a fine meal (when compared with military food) and an ale. The Governor bought the few settlers a round of ale as well which was a greatly appreciated gesture.
We returned to the prison just as the midday parade was assembling.
McAlister indicated that I should join him on the dais where our newly appointed Master-at-Arms had already assembled the three soldiers who would be caned and the Lieutenant who was due a flogging.
As I sat down Captain Finch handed McAlister the official documents which authorised the punishments. I looked at the assembly and then at the unhappy band of victims. For the first time I saw the man whom the Master-at-Arms had chosen to administer punishments and trembled a little. For the man stood semi naked, more than six feet tall and had muscles the like of which I had rarely seen. I judged him to weight 15 stone or so and my immediate thought was that he could probably cut a man in half with a single blow of a cane. He was most certainly an impressive figure and one whose expertise I never wanted to test.
As McAlister remained seated, Captain Finch read out the sentences and the first of the three soldiers went to the triangle. Apparently, local custom was that men and boys were caned across their trousers but McAlister would have none of that. The soldier was informed that his trousers and undergarments were to be lowered before he bent over and assumed the required position.
The executioner quickly strapped the young man into position and then, at a signal from Captain Finch, seized up a cane and delivered the first stroke.
The "crack" as the first stroke landed got everyone's attention as it echoed around the compound and the expletive which came from the victim confirmed my impression of the man's ability to do serious damage with a single stroke.
Methodically the executioner delivered the remaining strokes which reduced the soldier to a quivering, sobbing wretch. When released, my line of vision, which had been obscured during the punishment by Captain Finch, became clear and I saw that the executioner had covered his target thoroughly. Blood seeped only from the points where the last two strokes had been applied diagonally across the others and it was quite clear that the sobbing soldier would be well able to resume his duties almost immediately. It was equally clear that he would remember this incident for some time to come.
The other soldiers were treated in the same manner and with the same effect although the third, and youngest, had the additional embarrassment of sporting a semi-erect penis as he restored his trousers. As he dressed, he glanced in my direction and our eyes locked for the briefest of moments and despite his discomfort and embarrassment his expression conveyed an invitation to me. I quickly looked away lest McAlister noticed the unspoken exchange.
Lieutenant Campbell was then attached to the triangle, stripped to the waist and his sentence of two dozen lashes pronounced. A piece of leather was placed between his teeth and the executioner then slowly and deliberately untangled the cat-of-nine-tails.
The first few lashes brought barely any sound from Campbell but gradually his grunts and writhing showed that the whip was having its intended effect. From time to time the executioner paused in his assignment to unravel the tails of the whip which were progressively becoming more and more entangled with blood. Campbell was obviously a strong man for he remained conscious throughout the ordeal but his back had been torn to shreds by the time the last lash descended. He required assistance as he was untied but his stoicism had to be admired.
When the parade was dismissed and the prisoners went off to feed and then resume work, McAlister and Finch went off to meet with the prison commandant, leaving Jim and I to our own devices.
I headed immediately for the infirmary to see whether I could find the young soldier who had caught my eye. I was almost there when he stepped in my path as he emerged from the commissary. I looked into his slightly red eyes and was lost for words when he gave me a big, bright smile.
"I was coming to see you." I said hesitantly.
"I thought you might. I was watching you as you came across the compound. Come, this way" he instructed.
I followed him to one of the furthermost buildings keeping several steps behind so as to not look too obvious and in order that I might admire his recently lashed backside. Silently he led the way until we reached what was quite clearly a barn. Opening a door he ushered me inside.
Once inside, my eyes had to adjust to the absence of the fierce sunlight and as they did so I saw him extend his hand to me in greeting.
"I'm Alexander," he said "and you are Christopher."
I was not surprised that he knew my name since this was a small colony so I simply returned his handshake.
"And what might your pleasure be Master Christopher?" he asked.
I fumbled for an answer but finally said: "I just wanted to see that you were alright after your punishment."
He laughed and began to remove his boots and trousers. Within moments he was completely naked and I was mightily aroused. He was a vision - handsome, clean shaven, well built (in every respect).
He turned and showed me his buttocks which bore the clear purple lines from the cane. I reached out my hand to touch the lines and as I did so he asked whether there was any bleeding.
"No, not really," said I, "but there are a few spots where blood has dried."
"I didn't think so" he replied and he turned and ran his hand over my rather obvious erection.
I let out a sigh as his hand moved to the top of my head and pushed me gently to my knees.
For the short while we had, Alexander and I engaged ourselves in our desires with the only moment of discomfort being as his member entered me and the greatest pleasure coming as I reciprocated.
(McAlister did not find out about this tryst at the time, much to my relief but did take revenge on my backside when I told him some years later.)
That evening the four condemned men were visited in their isolated cells by McAlister and Finch with Jim and I in tow and, as had been intended, the superintendent report a number of infractions of the rules. Chained to rings set in the ceiling and floor, each was completely vulnerable to whatever the Major and Captain decided to do. Stripped completely, the four were subjected to the most violent beatings with whips which tore at every inch of their bodies. Their pleas for mercy went unheeded throughout and by the time the officers left the men were in a pitiful state.
The guards then took their turns with the four using different implements which added to the victims' torture which assaulted their insides rather than their flesh. By morning I am certain they had each earned what they given to Mr Finch and Jim with a considerable amount of interest. While such treatment might be generally a cause for disgust, I felt no compassion for the men having seen the results of their deed on Norfolk Island.
Each night the four condemned me were subjected to repeated assaults and by the time the hour for their dispatch arrived I believe that they were relieved that this suffering would end. They were reconciled with the inevitability of their deaths and each was relatively docile as he was hanged before the entire population.
After the first week during which he established his authority, McAlister began to settle into a more relaxed frame of mind and spent more time in my company.
Towards late summer, he and I journeyed to a spot some distance from the settlement and selected a large area of land upon which McAlister decided he would build a house for us to live in once his tenure as Governor ended. Prisoners were used to clear the land and to fence it into paddocks where cattle would graze. The foundations of our house were laid and slowly a grand house took shape.
Port Macquarie started to grow into a sizeable community during McAlister's tenure and the place began to get a reputation as a well run settlement with some of the best infrastructure which had as yet been built. The military garrison was expanded to guard the sprawling community and what little crime that existed was dealt with severely.
The firm discipline maintained by the Governor provided a feeling of security for the community but was also capable of abuse. Such was the case when I and another, younger friend, were accused of pilfering some freshly arrived apples from a barrel outside one of the store in the main street. David and I were accused by two storekeepers who were more concerned about our _s_e_x_uality than anything else. We knew that they suspected that David and I were engaging in sodomy from time to time although David was not in fact partial to that form of activity whatsoever. However, their official report to Captain Finch was simple a trumped-up accusation of petty theft which made no reference to the much more serious crime of sodomy. (In reality it would have been better had they leveled the more serious charge since a quick medical inspection would have confirmed that David was a virgin, despite my endeavours to rectify that situation.)
Captain Finch had no option but to incarcerate David and I pending a trial before the newly arrived magistrate.
McAlister visited us in our cells and questioned me at length about the alleged incident. Since I dared not mention what I believed to be the storekeepers' real motivation, all I could do was protest my innocence. I knew that McAlister thought it unlikely that I would have stolen anything, but as Governor he could do nothing but let the law take its course. His parting kiss on my cheek told me as much.