State Library of NSW
[Page 133]
The parties, all except the leaders were convicts situated by a hope of acquiring some partial remission of their sentences, and some time period was fixed for serving; not in any case exceeding 12 months. as the period their service would be required. It would have been utterly impossible to find free persons to have undertaken the arduous and severe duty in the bush for pecuniary recompense : a prospect of freedom alone could secure activity.
One convict Reynolds, alone stood an exception, his sentence was transportation for seven years, and he had only six months to serve; he was a Lincolnshire man, uncommonly fond of shooting, and a remarkably good shot. He preferred the bush to any thing else, and engaged to join one of the Oatlands bands for the remainer of his time. He was strong and able and could select the shallowest places where to ford cross rivers, he was very useful indeed, and of a good disposition. When he had been out six months he quitted, and what is rather singular
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