“After a long and dreary passage, the ship arrived at Hobson’s Bay, and we were landed.  My reputation was too bad to be allowed to serve outside of the hulks, and accordingly, day after day, I dragged my chain and ball, attached to my right foot, after me, and performed labor that caused many of my fellow-prisoners to sink by my side and expire, while others would fall to the ground, and be lashed by the whips of our taskmasters into renewed activity.

“One hope alone kept me alive—­the expectation of an escape.  I planned, and sought to carry them out, but the vigilance of my keepers frustrated my intentions, and it was not until the gold mines were discovered that I found an opportunity.  Many of our overseers then left the employ of government, and flocked to the mines.  Of course, more men were engaged, but they were too green in the service to understand all of the tricks which prisoners resorted to to blind their eyes.

“One dark night, a convict about my own age, and myself, resolved to make an attempt at escape.  Our chains were filed off, and knives placed in our hands by men outside of the prison walls; these we had kept secreted for many weeks, in hope of finding a use for them, and when we heard the rain’ dash against the roof, we resolved that the hour had arrived for an attempt for freedom.

“Most of the sentries were under shelter, when we crossed the court yard, with steps like those of a cat, and stood before the astonished turnkey, who kept watch upon the inner gate.  Before he had time to raise an alarm, we struck, and he fell without a groan.  We hastily tore the clothes from his body, and I dressed myself in them, casting away the prison suit which I wore, and then with the key of the massive gate, I unlocked it, and continued on to the outer lodge, where I knew we should meet with another keeper.

“The latter was busily engaged in writing when we entered, and did not notice but that we were servants of the prison.  He never probably knew what killed him, for he fell—­”

“Good God!” I exclaimed with horror, “did you assassinate him, also?”

“How could we have escaped unless we did?  By the keeper’s side was a bell rope, a touch of which would have brought, a dozen soldiers upon us, and then death would have been certain.  We had been prisoners too long to scruple at murder when our safety was involved.

“My fellow convict removed the man’s clothes, even before the breath had left his body; and while he was dressing himself, I glanced my eye over the letter which the keeper had been writing.  I saw, to my astonishment, that it was addressed to Mr. B——­, the banker, and that an account of my health, my work, and rebellious disposition, were set forth, and a hope was manifested that I should break down under the severe discipline of the hulks, and that if I did not, other employment would be found in a few weeks, which would surely end my days.  A donation of twenty-five pounds was acknowledged, and thanks were returned for the same.