was transported, he was a prize-fighter; but having lost a battle, he
turned his attention to house-breaking, as an agreeable diversion from
his former course of life. He was betrayed by a comrade, and sentenced
for fourteen years. He will never live to see his sentence expire; for,
cunning as he is, his day of capture will not long be delayed.

"Upon our arrival at Sydney, he was branded with a black mark against
his name, and the most laborious work was his daily task, besides the
privilege of dragging a chain and ball after him. He managed to secrete
a knife about his person one day, and when the guard the next morning
ordered him to perform some heavy work, he struck the man to the heart
with his weapon, broke his chain, and fled.

"A horse standing near the dock where he was employed, he mounted, and
escaping the shower of balls that flew after him, and defying all
opposition, he reached the wilds of Australia.

"It was a bold strike for liberty, and only one time in a thousand could
it be achieved.

"Before he effected his escape I had been taken into the service of a
man who owned large herds of sheep, and on one of his immense tracts of
land was I stationed to look after a flock of nearly ten thousand. I in
fact became a stockman, and lived a solitary life, with no one to speak
to unless it was to those who brought me a few necessary articles once a
month, and then departed to supply other stations.

"I was not discontented with my lot, and yet at times I longed to see a
human face and hear a voice speak in my native tongue. I used to receive
visits occasionally from the miserable natives, who hang around a sheep