"Can it be a shipwrecked party ?" "More likely a mob of escaped convicts from Van Diemen's Land," said Jim.

"If so, look out for squalls, you, George, and keep your guns loaded." "I don't think it can be that, Jim," said Sam.

"What could bring them so far north?
They would have landed, more likely, somewhere in the Straits, about the big lakes." "They may have been driven off shore by these westerly winds which have been blowing the last few days," replied Jim, "and kept their boat's head northward, to get nearer the settlements.

They will be terribly hungry when they do land, for certain.

What's your opinion, Doctor ?" "I think that wise men should be always prepared.