AustLit

A chapbook 'history' of the fictitious Patty Freelove, who falls in love with Charles, the son of a neighbouring farmer. Charles, accused of killing game, is forced into military service with the 'Botany Bay Rangers,' and Patty, heartbroken, disguises herself as a man and joins up too. After a narrow escape in Rio De Janeiro, when 'a Portugese Lady, of great beauty and fortune' falls in love with the disguised Patty and hires 'ruffians' to kill her when her advances are spurned, the ship eventually arrives at Port Jackson. There they are soon attacked by 'natives,' and Patty, who fights with 'surprising courage' is wounded in the breast, and her sex is discovered. Patty and Charles marry and are allowed to return to England. At the end of the prose narrative is a brief account of the state of the colony, said to be related by Patty and Charles on their return. This includes some factual details, mentioning Arthur Phillip's wounding (in September 1790), and the parlous state of provisions in the early colony.

The concluding 'New Song. Tune, The Hardy Tar,' recapitulates the events of the narrative in verse form.