Page 381 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

her that, were it related truly, she would comprehend some-
thing 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 ti-
midity 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 Ho-
bart 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 af-
ternoon 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

0 For the Term of His Natural Life