Page 480 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life
P. 480
CHAPTER XXII.
GATHERING IN
THE THREADS.
aurice found his favourable expectations of Syd-
Mney fully realized. His notable escape from death at
Macquarie Harbour, his alliance with the daughter of so re-
spected a colonist as Major Vickers, and his reputation as
a convict disciplinarian rendered him a man of note. He
received a vacant magistracy, and became even more noted
for hardness of heart and artfulness of prison knowledge
than before. The convict population spoke of him as ‘that
—— Frere,’ and registered vows of vengeance against him,
which he laughed—in his bluffness—to scorn.
One anecdote concerning the method by which he shep-
herded his flock will suffice to show his character and his
value. It was his custom to visit the prison-yard at Hyde Park
Barracks twice a week. Visitors to convicts were, of course,
armed, and the two pistol-butts that peeped from Frere’s
waistcoat attracted many a longing eye. How easy would it
be for some fellow to pluck one forth and shatter the smil-
ing, hateful face of the noted disciplinarian! Frere, however,
brave to rashness, never would bestow his weapons more
safely, but lounged through the yard with his hands in the
