They seized the governor's cutter and putting into her a seine, fishing-lines, and hooks, firearms, a quadrant, compass, and some provisions, boldly pushed out to sea, determined to brave every danger and combat every hardship, rather than remain longer in a captive state.

Most of these people had been brought out in the first fleet, and the terms of transportation of some of them were expired.

Among them were a fisherman, a carpenter, and some competent navigators, so that little doubt was entertained that a scheme so admirably planned would be adequately executed*.

When their elopement was discovered, a pursuit was ordered by the governor.

But the fugitives had made too good an use of the intermediate time to be even seen by their pursuers.