A
square fetter was then fitted and placed around the neck of each. In
this, before, some detached links from the chain were placed, whilst a
huge smith proceeded to rivet each from behind. Fixing a kind of movable
anvil behind the convict's back, the fetter that encircled his neck was
brought with its joint upon it, and half a dozen blows of the sledge
riveted the captive inextricably to the main chain and to his
twenty-nine comrades. The smith must be adroit at his task, and the
convict steady in his position; for, as the fetter is tight round the
neck, the hammer, in its blow, must pass within a quarter of an inch of
his skull, and a wince on his part might prove fatal. This, indeed, is
the trying moment, when the stoutest cheek is blanched. The sturdiest
frame, shaken by the blows of the sledge, then betrays emotion, and
tears of penitence are at that moment almost always seen to fall. On
sitting down, each had in general an air of bravado, produced in a great
measure by the regards of the seemingly more hardened ruffians from the
windows. Under the riveting there was no smile; whilst after it, apathy
was affected or resumed, each endeavouring to make his iron collar as
supportable and comfortable as possible, by enveloping it in a
handkerchief, and guaranteeing the neck from its chill or galling.
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