In consequence of which declaration, the detachment at that post was reinforced on the following day.
A hazardous enterprise (but when liberty is the stake, what enterprise is too hazardous for its attainment!) was undertaken in this month by five convicts at Rose Hill, who, in the night, seized a small punt there, and proceeded in her to the South Head, whence they seized and carried off a boat, appropriated to the use of the lookout house, and put to sea in her, doubtless with a view of reaching any port they could arrive at, and asserting their freedom.

They had all come out in the last fleet; and for some time previous to their elopement, had been collecting fishing tackle, and hoarding up provisions, to enable them to put their scheme into execution*.
[*They have never since been heard of.

Before they went away, they tried in vain to procure firearms.

If they were not swallowed by the sea, probably they were cut off by the natives, on some part of the coast where their necessities obliged them to land.].