When the news came of the sacking of Lawrence, the great mass of the squatters had not yet lost faith in the nation, nor had they lost hope that justice would be done, tardy though it might be; but the utmost limits of human endurance were fast being reached.

There were, however, many that had already gone beyond this point, and they returned an answer that made the hearts of the people stand still with horror.

It was the answer of a wild beast that had been hunted to its lair, and that turns with savage ferocity on its pursuers.

It was an answer framed not in words, but in deeds.

It said, "We have come to an end.