Demon's land they called it - a bastardisation of Van-Dieman's land - a place where men rotted or starved or were flogged to death. The maximum security hard labour camp at Macquarie Harbour was the end of the line for prisoners - a hell on earth for convicts and gaolers alike - and when, in 1833, it was decided to close the settlement, ten desperate and ruthless men seized the ship that was to transport them, and made their final bid for freedom. This book is based on one of the most exciting incidents in the bloody history of the penal colonies.