The Bounty Immigrant

Charles picked up his pen to write to his wife.  It had been a year since he had come to Van Diemen’s Land as a bounty immigrant.  His skill as a carpenter was not put to good use.  Mr Ritchie had him pulling weeds most days and by the end of two months he had had enough.

 Looking back Charles realised he probably shouldn’t have gotten in with the two ex cons he met in Perth, but a night on the drink wasn’t going to kill anyone.  It did however see him being charged for larceny and sent down to New Town Bay; building roads made weed pulling feel like child’s play.

Now to tell Elizabeth why he had no money to send her or to pay for her and the girls to come out and join him.  The thought had crossed his mind that he could just stop writing altogether and let her and the girls think him dead.  She had family and friends, she wouldn’t be any worse off than she is now.  She could even find a new husband after a time.  In fact he could find himself a new wife and start again once he was away from this blasted chain gang. 

He just needed to put his head down, keep out of trouble and bide his time until he was  free again.  Charles put down his pen and walked away from the table.  Elizabeth would be better off at home than out here anyway.