In 1843 I became a free man, and, after the knocking about I had had for some years, sought the most comfortable quarters I could. I went to the "Speed the Plough" hotel, which was kept by Mr. C----, and there I found a good home, besides plenty to eat and drink, and a good bed to sleep on. After a few months, however, I decided to leave Port Macquarie and go to Sydney, from whence I walked to Windsor, Parramatta, and other places in search of work. Not being successful in this direction, however, I decided to wend my way back to Port, and eventually arrived overland at Maitland. Here a constable came up to me and inquired where I had come from, and "Was I free?" I told him where I had been, and also that I was a free man. He then asked me what proof I had to show that I was free, and I presented to him the pass that I had received from the Police Office in Port Macquarie. He looked at this for a little while, and then informed me that it was no good, and that I would have to go with him to the lock-up. I told him that it was a hard case after serving my term to be shut up in the lock-up again; but he said that the pass was no good, and he could not help it--so off I went. The next day I was brought before the Police Magistrate, Mr. D----, as a bolter; he asked me where I got the pass, and I told him. He then asked me how long I had been at Port Macquarie, adding that anyone could buy a pass like the one I had for half-a-crown. I told him I wished I had known that, and I would have got one years ago. On hearing this, he ordered the constable to take me away, and bring me up again next morning, when he would sentence me to 100 lashes. "That," I said, "is more than you dare do!" and I was marched away. Instead of being brought up again the next morning, I was sent away to Newcastle Gaol for identification. There I was kept three weeks, until one afternoon Major C---- walked in, and I spoke to him, with the result was that I was sent to Sydney the same night. The next day Old Tim came into the lock-up, where I and some others were. He gave them orders to do something but I was not on a par with other prisoners, and so did not comply with it. He sang out to me, "Here, you with the whiskers, stand up and let me see you!" I stood up, and as soon as he saw me he said, "Your face is quite familiar to me; you've been here often, and it's not the first time you've tried the same dodge, you scoundrel!" I said, "You've never seen me before, Tim," and at being called Tim he got into a terrible rage, while I stood grinning at him. Then he said, "By G--, you're not free, I'll get it sent home to you, you saucy b----!" Then he left, and one of his flash subordinates came into the lock-up with the "hominy," and he told me that if I were not a free man I would catch it, as the super was in a great rage at being called "Tim."