e wind and sea went down,
and there was a chance that their lives might be saved. When they were
once more safe, most of those who had tried to pray forgot their fears
and again hardened their hearts.

At last the ship reached the distant land to which she was bound--
Australia. The convicts were put into barracks, and then formed into
road-gangs to make new roads through the country. They had first to
build their huts, and then to work all day in the hot sun with
pick-axes, and spades, and wheelbarrows. They were watched by
overlookers, of whom many had themselves been convicts, and were very
harsh and savage. When the day's work was done, the men were marched
back to the huts, where they had to fetch water and firewood, and to
cook their food. Day after day they led the same life; there was no
change, no amusement; the sun rose, and the sun set, and the convicts
rose to toil, but not for themselves; and lay down again at night, weary
with their labour. Often and often Ben Page wished himself dead.

"Is this to last for thirteen more long years--all the best of my days?"
he asked himself.

Another convict asked Ben if he would try to escape. They might be
shot, but that was better than living on where they were. Ben agreed.
They got off, and took to the woods--the bush it is called. They could
only live by robbing. They watched a hut when the hut-keepers were out,
stole some guns and powder and shot, and set up as bush-rangers--that is
robbers. They lived on for some months in the bush, now in one place,
now in another. They stole horses and food and clothes. It was a very
hard life though. Every man's hand was against them, and a price was
set on their heads. They were afraid of the natives also, and suffered
much from hunger and thirst. Ben sometimes wished himself back with the
road-gang. They at last did so much mischief that parties were sent out
against them. Ben's comrade was taken, and Ben was wounded, but escaped
by the speed of his horse.

On--on he went. He dared not turn back, for his foes were behind him.
Night came on, and he was obliged to stop, for his horse could go no
farther. There was no water near; he had no food. He lay down and fell
asleep, holding the bridle in his hand. When he awoke his horse was
gone. He felt weary and stiff, and his wound pained him. The sun rose,
scorching down on his head. In his flight he had lost his hat. His
thirst was great. "Water, wate