The tumultuous state of our minds represented
her in danger; and we were in agony. Soon after, the governor, having
ascertained what she was, left us, and stepped into a fishing boat to
return to Sydney. The weather was wet and tempestuous but the body is
delicate only when the soul is at ease. We pushed through wind and rain,
the anxiety of our sensations every moment redoubling. At last we read the
word 'London' on her stern. "Pull away, my lads! She is from Old England! A
few strokes more, and we shall be aboard! Hurrah for a bellyfull, and news
from our friends!" Such were our exhortations to the boat's crew.
A few minutes completed our wishes, and we found ourselves on board
the 'Lady Juliana' transport, with two hundred and twenty-five of our
countrywomen whom crime or misfortune had condemned to exile. We learned
that they had been almost eleven months on their passage, having left
Plymouth, into which port they had put in July, 1789. We continued to ask
a thousand questions on a breath. Stimulated by curiosity, they inquired in
turn; but the right of being first answered, we thought, lay on our side.
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