her proceeding to
Sydney, their sentences on the island having expired, or as witnesses in
another case (a bold and wicked murder) sent there also for trial. The
sailors on board the brig were for the most part the cowardly fellows
who had so disgracefully allowed the brig to be taken from them; and
they, as well as the soldiers on guard (some of them formed a part of
the former one), had no very kindly feeling towards the mutineers. It
may be imagined, therefore, that such feelings occasioned no alleviation
of their condition. In truth, although there was no actual cruelty
exhibited, they suffered many oppressive annoyances; yet I never saw
more patient endurance. It was hard to bear, but their better principles
prevailed. Upon the arrival of the vessel in Sydney, we learned that the
case had excited an unusual interest. Crowds assembled to catch a
glimpse of the men as they landed; and while some applauded their
daring, the great majority very loudly expressed their horror at the
crime of which they stood accused.

"I do not think it necessary to describe the trial, which took place in
a few days after landing. All were arraigned except Barry. The
prisoners' counsel addressed the jurors with powerful eloquence; but it
was in vain: the crime was substantiated; and the jury returned a
verdict of guilty against all of the prisoners, recommending Woolfe to
mercy.

"During the whole trial, the prisoners' conduct was admirable; so much
so, indeed, as to excite the astonishment of the immense crowd collected
by curiosity to see men who had made so mad an attempt for liberty. They
scarcely spoke, except once to request that the wounded man, who yet
suffered much pain, might be allowed to sit down. Judgment was deferred
until the following day. When they were then placed at the bar, the
judge, in the usual manner, asked whether they had any reason to urge
why sentence should not be pronounced upon them. It was a moment of deep
solemnity; every breath was held; and the eyes of the whole court were
directed towards the dock. Jones spoke in a deep, clear voice, and in a
deliberate harangue pointed out some defects in the evidence, though
without the slightest hope, he said, of mitigating the sentence now to
be pronounced on himself and fellows. Three of the others also spoke.
Whelan said, 'that he was not one of the men properly belonging to the
boat's crew, but had been called upon to fill the place of another man,
and had no