prehend something strange and terrible, which had
been for many years a shadow upon her memory. Longing, and yet fearing,
to proceed, she held the paper, half unfolded, in her hand, as, in her
childhood, she had held ajar the door of some dark room, into which she
longed and yet feared to enter. Her timidity lasted but an instant.

* * * * *

"When orders arrived from head-quarters to break up the penal settlement
of Macquarie Harbour, the Commandant (Major Vickers, --th Regiment) and
most of the prisoners embarked on board a colonial vessel, and set
sail for Hobart Town, leaving behind them a brig that had been built at
Macquarie Harbour, to be brought round after them, and placing Captain
Maurice Frere in command. Left aboard her was Mr. Bates, who had acted
as pilot at the settlement, also four soldiers, and ten prisoners, as
a crew to work the vessel. The Commandant's wife and child were also
aboard."

* * * * *

"How strangely it reads," thought the girl.

* * * * *

"On the 12th of January, 1834, we set sail, and in the afternoon
anchored safely outside the Gates; but a breeze setting in from
the north-west caused a swell on the Bar, and Mr. Bates ran back to
Wellington Bay. We remained there all next day; and in the afternoon
Captain Frere took two soldiers and a boat, and went a-fishing. There
were then only Mr. Bates and the other two soldiers aboard, and it
was proposed by William Cheshire to seize the vessel. I was at first
unwilling, thinking that loss of life might ensue; but Cheshire and the
others, knowing that I was acquainted with navigation--having in happier
days lived much on the sea--threatened me if I refused to join. A song
was started in the folksle, and one of the soldiers, coming to listen
to it, was seized, and Lyon and Riley then made prisoner of the
sentry. Forced thus into a project with which I had at first but little
sympathy, I felt my heart leap at the prospect of freedom, and would
have sacrificed all to obtain it. Maddened by the desperate hopes that
inspired me, I from that moment assumed the command of my wretched
companions; and honestly think that, however culpable I may have been in
the eyes of the law, I prevented them from the display of a violence to
which their savage life had unhappily made them but too accustomed."