Some of the loose characters on board the ship--and she was bringing home such--had risen in disorder within a month of their sailing from Melbourne; had killed the captain, the chief officer, and some of the passengers and crew.
The ringleader was a man named Gordon; who had incited the rest to the crime, and killed the captain with his own hand.

Obtaining command of the ship, they put her about, and commenced a piratical raid.

One vessel they succeeded in disarming, despoiling, and then leaving her to her fate.

But the next vessel they attacked proved a more formidable enemy, and there was a hand-to-hand struggle for the mastery, and for life or death.

The _Morning Star_ was sunk, with the greater portion of her living freight.
A few, only some four or five, were saved by the other ship, and conveyed to England.
It was by them the dark tale was brought.