Sydney applied for him. The man must be removed within a fixed period
after the authority is given. In this case, application was made a day
beyond the prescribed time, and churlishly refused. The disappointment
roused a spirit so untutored as his, and once again he absconded; was of
course apprehended, tried, and being found with a man who had committed
a robbery, and had a musket in his possession, was sent to Norfolk
Island for life. This sentence has, however, for meritorious conduct,
been reduced to fourteen years; and his ready assistance during a fire
which recently broke out in the military garrison here, might possibly
have helped to obtain a still further reduction. He never, during those
abscondings, was absent for any long period, and never committed any act
of violence. His constant attempt seems to have been to reach Sydney, in
order to effect his escape from the scene of so much misery.

"For some time past, I have noticed his quiet and orderly conduct, and
was really sorry when I found him concerned in this unhappy affair. His
desire for freedom was, however, most ardent, and a chance of obtaining
it was almost irresistible. He has since told me that a few words kindly
spoken to himself and others by Captain Maconochie when they landed,
sounded so pleasantly to him--such are his own words--that he determined
from that moment he would endeavor to do well. He assures me that he was
perfectly unconscious of a design to take the brig, until awakened from
his sleep a few minutes before the attack commenced; that he then
remonstrated with the men; but finding it useless, he considered it a
point of honor not to fail them. His anxiety for instruction is intense;
he listens like a child; and his gratitude is most touching. He,
together with Jones, Woolfe, and Barry, were chosen by the commandant as
a police-boat's crew; and had, up to this period, acted with great
steadiness and fidelity in the discharge of the duties required from
them. Nor do I think they would even now, tempting as the occasion was,
have thought of seizing it, had it not been currently reported that they
were shortly to be placed under a system of severity such as they had
already suffered so much from.

"Woolfe's story of himself is most affecting. He entered upon evil
courses when very young; was concerned in burglaries when only eleven
years of age. Yet this was from no natural love of crime. Enticed from
his home by boys older than himse