第2章

andthenhefilledupthehole,andraisedoveritasmallmoundwiththeearthwhichhadbeenremoved.Heretheceremonyended,unaccompaniedbyanyinvocationtoasuperiorbeing,oranyattendantcircumstancewhenceaninferenceoftheirreligiousopinionscouldbededuced.

[*NosolutionofthisdifficultyhadbeengivenwhenIleftthecountry,inDecember,1791.Ican,therefore,onlyproposequeriesfortheingenuityofotherstoexerciseitselfupon:isitadiseaseindigenoustothecountry?

DidtheFrenchshipsunderMonsieurdePeyrouseintroduceit?Letitberememberedthattheyhadnowbeendepartedmorethanayear;andwehadneverheardofitsexistenceonboardofthem.Hadittravelledacrossthecontinentfromitswesternshore,whereDampierandotherEuropeanvoyagershadformerlylanded?WasitintroducedbyMr.Cook?Didwegiveitbirthhere?NopersonamongushadbeenafflictedwiththedisordersincewehadquittedtheCapeofGoodHope,seventeenmonthsbefore.

Itistrue,thatoursurgeonshadbroughtoutvariolousmatterinbottles;

buttoinferthatitwasproducedfromthiscausewereasuppositionsowildastobeunworthyofconsideration.]

Anuninhabitedhouse,nearthehospital,wasallottedfortheirreception,andacradlepreparedforeachofthem.BytheencouragementofArabanoo,whoassuredthemofprotection,andthesoothingbehaviourofourmedicalgentlemen,theybecameatoncereconciledtous,andlookedhappyandgratefulatthechangeoftheirsituation.Sicknessandhungerhad,however,somuchexhaustedtheoldman,thatlittlehopewasentertainedofhisrecovery.Ashepointedfrequentlytohisthroat,attheinstanceofArabanoo,hetriedtowashitwithagarglewhichwasgiventohim;

buttheobstructed,tenderstateofthepartrendereditimpracticable.

"Bado,bado"(water),washiscry:whenbroughttohim,hedranklargelyatintervalsofit.Hewasequallyimportunateforfire,beingseizedwithshiveringfits;andonewaskindled.Fishwereproduced,totempthimtoeat;butheturnedawayhishead,withsignsofloathing.

Nanbaree(theboy),onthecontrary,nosoonersawthemthanheleapedfromhiscradle,andeagerlyseizingthem,begantocookthem.Awarmbathbeingprepared,theywereimmersedinit;andafterbeingthoroughlycleansed,theyhadcleanshirtsputonthem,andwereagainlaidinbed.

Theoldmanlivedbutafewhours.Heborethepangsofdissolutionwithpatientcomposure;andthoughhewassensibletothelastmoment,expiredalmostwithoutagroan.Nanbareeappearedquiteunmovedattheevent;

andsurveyedthecorpseofhisfatherwithoutemotion,simplyexclaiming,"boee"(dead).Thissurprisedus;asthetendernessandanxietyoftheoldmanabouttheboyhadbeenverymoving.Althoughbarelyabletoraisehishead,whilesomuchstrengthwaslefttohim,hekeptlookingintohischild"scradle;hepattedhimgentlyonthebosom;and,withdyingeyes,seemedtorecommendhimtoourhumanityandprotection.NanbareewasadoptedbyMr.White,surgeon-generalofthesettlement,andbecamehenceforthoneofhisfamily.

Arabanoohadnosoonerheardofthedeathofhiscountryman,thanhehastenedtointerhim.Iwaspresentattheceremony,incompanywiththegovernor,captainBall,andtwoorthreeotherpersons.Itdiffered,bytheaccountsofthosewhowerepresentatthefuneralofthegirl,innorespectfromwhathadpassedthereinthemorning,exceptthatthegravewasdugbyaconvict.ButIwasinformed,thatwhenintelligenceofthedeathreachedArabanoo,heexpressedhimselfwithdoubtwhetherheshouldbury,orburnthebody;andseemedsolicitoustoascertainwhichceremonywouldbemostgratifyingtothegovernor.

Indeed,Arabanoo"sbehaviour,duringthewholeofthetransactionsofthisday,wassostronglymarkedbyaffectiontohiscountryman,andbyconfidenceinus,thatthegovernorresolvedtofreehimfromallfartherrestraint,andatoncetotrusttohisgenerosity,andtheimpressionwhichourtreatmentofhimmighthavemade,forhisfutureresidenceamongus:thefetterwasaccordinglytakenoffhisleg.

Intheevening,captainBallandIcrossedtheharbour,andburiedthecorpseofthewomanbeforementioned.

Distresscontinuedtodrivetheminuponus.Twomorenatives,oneofthemayoungman,andtheotherhissister,agirloffourteenyearsold,werebroughtinbythegovernor"sboat,inamostdeplorablestateofwretchednessfromthesmallpox.ThesympathyandaffectionofArabanoo,whichhadappearedlanguidintheinstanceofNanbareeandhisfather,heremanifestedthemselvesimmediately.Weconjecturedthatadifferenceofthetribestowhichtheybelongedmightcausethepreference;butnothingafterwardshappenedtostrengthenorconfirmsuchasupposition.

Theyoungmandiedattheendofthreedays:thegirlrecovered,andwasreceivedasaninmate,withgreatkindness,inthefamilyofMrsJohnson,theclergyman"swife.HernamewasBooron;butfromourmistakeofpronunciationsheacquiredthatofAbaroo,bywhichshewasgenerallyknown,andbywhichshewillalwaysbecalledinthiswork.

Sheshewed,atthedeathofherbrothermorefeelingthanNanbareehadwitnessedforthelossofhisfather.Whenshefoundhimdying,shecrepttohisside,andlaybyhimuntilforcedbythecoldtoretire.

Noexclamation,orothersignofgrief,however,escapedherforwhathadhappened.

May1789.Atsunset,ontheeveningofthe2dinstant,thearrivalthe"Sirius",CaptainHunter,fromtheCapeofGoodHope,wasproclaimed,anddiffuseduniversaljoyandcongratulation.Thedayoffaminewasatleastprocrastinatedbythesupplyofflourandsaltprovisionsshebroughtus.

The"Sirius"hadmadeherpassagetotheCapeofGoodHope,bytherouteofCapeHorn,inexactlythirteenweeks.Herhighestlatitudewas57degrees10minutessouth,wheretheweatherprovedintolerablycold.Ice,ingreatquantity,wasseenformanydays;andinthemiddleofDecember(whichiscorrespondenttothemiddleofJune,inourhemisphere),waterfrozeinopencasksupondeck,inthemoderatelatitudeof44degrees.

TheywereverykindlytreatedbytheDutchgovernor,andamplysuppliedbythemerchantsattheCape,wheretheyremainedsevenweeks.TheirpassagebackwaseffectedbyVanDiemen"sLand,nearwhich,andcloseunderTasman"sHead,theywereintheutmostperilofbeingwrecked.

Inthislongrun,whichhadextendedroundthecircle,theyhadalwaysdeterminedtheirlongitude,tothegreatestnicety,bydistancestakenbetweenthesunandmoon,orbetweenthemoonandastar.ButitfallstothelotofveryfewshipstopossesssuchindefatigableandaccurateobserversasCaptainHunter,andMr.(nowCaptain)Bradley,thefirstlieutenantofthe"Sirius".

Ifeelassured,thatIhavenoreaderwhowillnotjoininregrettingtheprematurelossofArabanoo,whodiedofthesmallpoxonthe18thinstant,afterlanguishinginitsixdays.Fromsomeimperfectmarksandindentsonhisface,wewereinclinedtobelievethathehadpassedthisdreadeddisorder.Evenwhenthefirstsymptomsofsicknessseizedhim,wecontinuedwillingtohopethattheyproceededfromadifferentcause.

Butatlengththediseaseburstforthwithirresistiblefury.

Itweresuperfluoustosay,thatnothingwhichmedicalskillandunremittingattentioncouldperform,wereleftunexertedtomitigatehissufferings,andprolongalife,whichhumanityandaffectionateconcerntowardshissickcompatriots,unfortunatelyshortened.

Duringhissicknesshereposedentireconfidenceinus.Althoughastrangertomedicine,andnauseatingthetasteofit,heswallowedwithpatientsubmissioninnumerabledrugs,*whichthehopeofreliefinducedustoadministertohim.Thegovernor,whoparticularlyregardedhim,causedhimtobeburiedinhisowngarden,andattendedthefuneralinperson.

[*Verydifferenthadbeenhisconductonaformeroccasionofasimilarkind.

Soonafterhewasbroughtamongushewasseizedwithadiarrhoea,forwhichhecouldbynopersuasionbeinducedtoswallowanyofourprescriptions.Aftermanyineffectualtrialstodeceive,orovercomehim,itwasatlengthdeterminedtolethimpursuehisowncourse,andtowatchifheshouldapplyforrelieftoanyoftheproductionsofthecountry.Hewasinconsequenceobservedtodigfern-root,andtochewit.Whetherthedisorderhadpasseditscrisis,orwhetherthefern-rooteffectedacure,Iknownot;butitiscertainthathebecamespeedilywell.

**Theregardwasreciprocal.Hisexcellencyhadbeenillbutashorttimebefore,whenArabanoohadtestifiedtheutmostsolicitudeforhiscaseandrecovery.Itisprobablethatheacquired,onthisoccasion,justnotionsofthebenefittobederivedfrommedicalassistance.

Adoctoris,amongthem,apersonofconsequence.Itiscertainthathelatterlyestimatedourprofessionalgentlemenveryhighly.]

ThecharacterofArabanoo,asfaraswehaddevelopedit,wasdistinguishedbyaportionofgravityandsteadiness,whichoursubsequentacquaintancewithhiscountrymenbynomeansledustoconcludeanationalcharacteristic.

Inthatdaring,enterprisingframeofmind,which,whencombinedwithgenius,constitutestheleaderofahordeofsavages,ortherulerofapeople,boastingthepowerofdiscriminationandtheresistanceofambition,hewascertainlysurpassedbysomeofhissuccessors,whoafterwardslivedamongus.Hiscountenancewasthoughtful,butnotanimated:

hisfidelityandgratitude,particularlytohisfriendthegovernor,wereconstantandundeviating,anddeservetoberecorded.

Althoughofagentleandplacabletemper,weearlydiscoveredthathewasimpatientofindignity,andallowedofnosuperiorityonourpart.

Heknewthathewasinourpower;buttheindependenceofhismindneverforsookhim.Iftheslightestinsultwereofferedtohim,hewouldreturnitwithinterest.Atretaliationofmerrimenthewasoftenhappy;andfrequentlyturnedthelaughagainsthisantagonist.

Hedidnotwantdocility;buteitherfromthedifficultyofacquiringourlanguage,fromtheunskillfulnessofhisteachers,orfromsomenaturaldefect,hisprogressinlearningitwasnotequaltowhatwehadexpected.Forthelastthreeorfourweeksofhislife,hardlyanyrestraintwaslaiduponhisinclinations:sothathadhemeditatedescape,hemighteasilyhaveeffectedit.Hewas,perhaps,theonlynativewhowaseverattachedtousfromchoice;andwhodidnotpreferaprecarioussubsistenceamongwildsandprecipices,tothecomfortsofacivilizedsystem.

Byhisdeath,theschemewhichhadinvitedhiscapturewasutterlydefeated.

Offivenativeswhohadbeenbroughtamongus,threehadperishedfromacausewhich,thoughunavoidable,itwasimpossibletoexplaintoapeople,whowouldcondescendtoenterintonointercoursewithus.Thesamesuspiciousdreadofourapproach,andthesamescenesofvengeanceactedonunfortunatestragglers,continuedtoprevail.

CHAPTERV.

TransactionsoftheColonyuntiltheCloseoftheYear1789.

Theanniversaryofhismajesty"sbirth-daywascelebrated,asheretofore,atthegovernment-house,withloyalfestivity.Intheevening,theplayof"TheRecruitingOfficer"wasperformedbyapartyofconvicts,andhonouredbythepresenceofhisexcellency,andtheofficersofthegarrison.Thateveryopportunityofescapefromthedrearinessanddejectionofoursituationshouldbeeagerlyembraced,willnotbewonderedat.Theexhilaratingeffectofasplendidtheatreiswellknown:

andIamnotashamedtoconfess,thattheproperdistributionofthreeorfouryardsofstainedpaper,andadozenfarthingcandlesstuckaroundthemudwallsofaconvict-hut,failednottodiffusegeneralcomplacencyonthecountenancesofsixtypersons,ofvariousdescriptions,whowereassembledtoapplaudtherepresentation.Someoftheactorsacquittedthemselveswithgreatspirit,andreceivedthepraisesoftheaudience:aprologueandanepilogue,writtenbyoneoftheperformers,werealsospokenontheoccasion;which,althoughnotworthinsertinghere,containedsometolerableallusionstothesituationoftheparties,andthenoveltyofastage-representationinNewSouthWales.

BrokenBay,whichwassupposedtobecompletelyexplored,becameagainanobjectofresearch.Onthesixthinstant,thegovernor,accompaniedbyalargepartyintwoboats,proceededthither.Heretheyagainwanderedoverpilesofmis-shapendesolation,contemplatingscenesofwildsolitude,whoseunvaryingappearancerendersthemincapableofaffordingeithernoveltyorgratification.Butwhentheyhadgivenoverthehopeoffartherdiscovery,bypursuingthewindingsofaninlet,which,fromitsappearance,wassupposedtobeashortcreek,theysuddenlyfoundthemselvesattheentranceofafreshwaterriver,upwhichtheyproceededtwentymiles,inawesterlydirection;andwouldhavefartherprosecutedtheirresearch,hadnotafailureofprovisionsobligedthemtoreturn.Thisrivertheydescribedtobeofconsiderablebreadth,andofgreatdepth;butitsbankshadhithertopresentednothingbetterthanacounterpartoftherocksandprecipiceswhichsurroundBrokenBay.

June,1789.Asecondexpedition,toascertainitscourse,wasundertakenbyhisexcellency,whonowpenetrated(measuringbythebedoftheriver)

between60and70miles,whenthefartherprogressoftheboatswasstoppedbyafall.Thewaterineverypartwasfoundtobefreshandgood.

Oftheadjoiningcountry,theopinionsofthosewhohadinspectedit(ofwhichnumberIwasnot)weresovarious,thatIshalldeclinetorecordthem.Somesawarichandbeautifulcountry;andothersweresounfortunateastodiscoverlittleelsethanlargetractsoflowland,coveredwithreeds,andrankwiththeinundationsofthestream,bywhichtheyhadbeenrecentlycovered.Allparties,however,agreed,thattherocky,impenetrablecountry,seenonthefirstexcursion,hadendednearlyabouttheplacewhencetheboatshadthenturnedback.Closetothefallstandsaverybeautifulhill,whichouradventurersmounted,andenjoyedfromitanextensiveprospect.Potatoes,maize,andgardenseedsofvariouskindswereputintotheearth,bythegovernor"sorder,ondifferentpartsofRichmond-hill,whichwasannouncedtobeitsname.

ThelatitudeofRichmond-hill,asobservedbycaptainHunter,wassettledat33degrees36minutessouth.

HerealsotheriverreceivedthenameofHawkesbury,inhonourofthenoblelordwhobearsthattitle.

Nativeswerefoundonthebanksinseveralparts,manyofwhomwerelabouringunderthesmallpox.Theydidnotattempttocommithostilitiesagainsttheboats;butonthecontraryshewedeverysignofwelcomeandfriendshiptothestrangers.

Atthisperiod,IwasunluckilyinvestedwiththecommandoftheoutpostatRoseHill,whichpreventedmefrombeinginthelistofdiscoverersoftheHawkesbury.Stimulated,however,byadesireofacquiringafurtherknowledgeofthecountry,onthe26thinstant,accompaniedbyMr.Arndell,assistantsurgeonofthesettlement,Mr.Lowes,surgeon"smateofthe"Sirius",twomarines,andaconvict,Ilefttheredoubtatday-break,pointingourmarchtoahill,distantfivemiles,inawesterlyorinlanddirection,whichcommandsaviewofthegreatchainofmountains,calledCarmarthenhills,extendingfromnorthtosouthfartherthantheeyecanreach.Herewepaused,surveying"thewildabyss;

ponderingourvoyage."Beforeuslaythetracklessimmeasurabledesert,inawfulsilence.Atlength,afterconsultation,wedeterminedtosteerwestandbynorth,bycompass,themakeofthelandinthatquarterindicatingtheexistenceofariver.WecontinuedtomarchalldaythroughacountryuntroddenbeforebyanEuropeanfoot.Savethatamelancholycrownowandthenflewcroakingoverhead,orakangaroowasseentoboundatadistance,thepictureofsolitudewascompleteandundisturbed.Atfouro"clockintheafternoonwehaltednearasmallpondofwater,wherewetookupourresidenceforthenight,lightedafire,andpreparedtocookoursupper:

thatwas,tobroiloveracoupleoframrodsafewslicesofsaltpork,andacrowwhichwehadshot.

Atdaylightwerenewedourperegrination;andinanhourafterwefoundourselvesonthebanksofariver,nearlyasbroadastheThamesatPutney,andapparentlyofgreatdepth,thecurrentrunningveryslowlyinanortherlydirection.Vastflocksofwildduckswereswimminginthestream;

butafterbeingoncefiredat,theygrewsoshythatwecouldnotgetnearthemasecondtime.Nothingismorecertainthanthatthesoundofagunhadneverbeforebeenheardwithinmanymilesofthisspot.

Weproceededupwards,byaslowpace,throughreeds,thickets,andathousandotherobstacles,whichimpededourprogress,overcoarsesandyground,whichhadbeenrecentlyinundated,thoughfullfortyfeetabovethepresentleveloftheriver.Tracesofthenativesappearedateverystep,sometimesintheirhunting-huts,whichconsistofnothingmorethanalargepieceofbark,bentinthemiddle,andopenatbothends,exactlyresemblingtwocards,setuptoformanacuteangle;sometimesinmarksontreeswhichtheyhadclimbed;orinsquirrel-traps*;or,whichsurprisedusmore,frombeingnew,indecoysforthepurposeofensnaringbirds.

Theseareformedofunderwoodandreeds,longandnarrow,shapedlikeamoundraisedoveragrave;withasmallapertureatoneendforadmissionoftheprey;andagratemadeofsticksattheother:thebirdentersattheaperture,seeingbeforehimthelightofthegrate,betweenthebarsofwhich,hevainlyendeavourstothrusthimself,untiltaken.Mostofthesedecoyswerefulloffeathers,chieflythoseofquails,whichshewedtheirutility.Wealsometwithtwoolddamagedcanoeshauleduponthebeach,whichdifferedinnowisefromthosefoundontheseacoast.

[*Asquirrel-trapisacavityofconsiderabledepth,formedbyart,inthebodyofatree.WhentheIndiansintheirhuntingpartiessetfiretothesurroundingcountry(whichisaverycommoncustom)thesquirrels,opossums,andotheranimals,wholiveintrees,fleeforrefugeintotheseholes,whencetheyareeasilydislodgedandtaken.Thenativesalwayspitchonapartofatreeforthispurpose,whichhasbeenperforatedbyaworm,whichindicatesthatthewoodisinanunsoundstate,andwillreadilyyieldtotheirefforts.Iftherudenessandimperfectionofthetoolswithwhichtheyworkbeconsidered,itmustbeconfessedtobeanoperationofgreattoilanddifficulty.]

Havingremainedoutthreedays,wereturnedtoourquartersatRose-hill,withthepleasingintelligenceofourdiscovery.Thecountrywehadpassedthroughwefoundtolerablyplain,andlittleencumberedwithunderwood,exceptneartheriverside.ItisentirelycoveredwiththesamesortsoftreesasgrownearSydney;andinsomeplacesgrassspringsupluxuriantly;

otherplacesarequitebareofit.Thesoilisvarious:inmanypartsastiffandclay,coveredwithsmallpebbles;inotherplaces,ofasoftloamynature:butinvariably,ineverypartneartheriver,itisacoarsesterilesand.Ourobservationsonit(particularlymine,fromcarryingthecompassbywhichwesteered)werenotsonumerousasmighthavebeenwished.But,certainly,ifthequalitiesofitbesuchastodeservefuturecultivation,noimpedimentofsurface,butthatofcuttingdownandburningthetrees,exists,topreventitsbeingtilled.

TothisriverthegovernorgavethenameofNepean.Thedistanceofthepartoftheriverwhichwefirsthituponfromtheseacoast,isabout39miles,inadirectlinealmostduewest.

AsurveyofBotanyBaytookplaceinSeptember.Iwasoftheparty,withseveralothersofficers.Wecontinuedninedaysinthebay,duringwhichtime,therelativepositionofeverypartofit,totheextentofmorethanthirtymiles,followingthewindingsoftheshore,wasascertained,andlaiddownonpaper,bycaptainHunter.

Socompleteanopportunityofformingajudgment,enablesmetospeakdecisivelyofaplace,whichhasoftenengagedconversationandexcitedreflection.Varietyofopinionsheredisappeared.Ishall,therefore,transcribeliterallywhatIwroteinmyjournal,onmyreturnfromtheexpedition."Wewereunanimouslyofopinion,thathadnotthenauticalpartofMr.Cook"sdescription,inwhichweincludethelatitudeandlongitudeofthebay,beensoaccuratelylaiddown,therewouldexisttheutmostreasontobelieve,thatthosewhohavedescribedthecontiguouscountry,hadneverseenit.Onthesidesoftheharbour,alineofseacoastmorethanthirtymileslong,wedidnotfind200acreswhichcouldbecultivated."

September,1789.Butallourattentionwasnotdirectedtoexploreinlets,andtollfordiscovery.Ourinternaltranquillitywasstillmoreimportant.

Torepresstheinroadsofdepredation;andtosecuretohonestindustrytherewardofitslabour,hadbecomematterofthemostseriousconsideration;

hardlyanightpassingwithoutthecommissionofrobbery.Manyexpedientsweredevised;andthegovernoratlengthdeterminedtoselectfromtheconvicts,acertainnumberofpersons,whoweremeanttobeofthefairestcharacter,forthepurposeofbeingformedintoanightly-watch,forthepreservationofpublicandprivateproperty,underthefollowingregulations,which,asthefirstsystemofpoliceinacolony,sopeculiarlyconstitutedasours,mayperhapsprovenotuninteresting.

I.Anight-watch,consistingof12persons,dividedintofourparties,isappointed,andfullyauthorizedtopatrolatallhoursinthenight;

andtovisitsuchplacesasmaybedeemednecessary,forthediscoveryofanyfelony,trespass,ormisdemeanor;andfortheapprehendingandsecuringforexamination,anypersonorpersonswhomayappeartothemconcernedtherein,eitherbyentranceintoanysuspectedhutordwelling,orbysuchothermeasureasmayseemtothemexpedient.

II.Thosepartsinwhichtheconvictsresidearetobedividedandnumbered,inthefollowingmanner.Theconvicthutsontheeasternsideofthestream,andthepublicfarm,aretobethefirstdivision.Thoseatthebrick-kilns,andthedetachedpartiesinthedifferentprivatefarmsinthatdistrict,aretobetheseconddivision.Thoseonthewesternsideofthestream,asfarasthelinewhichseparatesthedistrictofthewomenfromthemen,tobethethirddivision.Thehutsoccupiedfromthatlinetothehospital,andfromtheretotheobservatory,tobethefourthdivision.

III.Eachofthesedistrictsordivisionsistobeundertheparticularinspectionofoneperson,whomaybejudgedqualifiedtoinformhimselfoftheactualresidenceofeachindividualinhisdistrict;aswellasofhisbusiness,connections,andacquaintances.

IV.Cognizanceistobetakenofsuchconvictsasmaysellorbartertheirslopsorprovisions;andalsoofsuchasareaddictedtogamingforeitheroftheaforesaidarticles,whoaretobereportedtothejudgeadvocate.

V.Anysoldierorseamanfoundstragglingafterthebeatingofthetattoo;

orwhomaybefoundinaconvict"shut,istobedetained;andinformationofhimimmediatelygiventothenearestguard.

VI.Anypersonwhomayberobbedduringthenight,istogiveimmediateinformationthereoftothewatchofhisdistrict,who,ontheinstantofapplicationbeingmade,shallusethemosteffectualmeanstotraceouttheoffender,oroffenders,sothathe,she,orthey,maybebroughttojustice.

VII.Thewatchofeachdistrictistobeunderthedirectionofoneperson,whowillbenamedforthatpurpose.AllthepatrolsareplacedundertheimmediateinspectionofHerbertKeeling.Theyarenevertoreceiveanyfee,gratuity,orreward,fromanyindividualwhatever,toengagetheirexertionsintheexecutionoftheabovetrust.Norwilltheyreceiveanystipulatedencouragementfortheconvictionofanyoffender.

Buttheirdiligenceandgoodbehaviourwillberewardedbythegovernor.

Andforthispurposetheirconductwillbestrictlyattendedto,bythosewhoareplacedinauthorityoverthem.

VIII.Thenight-watchistogooutassoonasthetattooceasesbeating:

toreturntotheirhutswhentheworkingdrumbeatsinthemorning:

andaretomaketheirreporttothejudgeadvocate,throughHerbertKeeling,ofallrobberiesandmisdemeanorswhichmayhavebeencommitted.

Anyassistancethepatrolsmayrequire,willbegiventothem,onapplyingtotheofficercommandingthenearestguard;andbythecivilpower,ifnecessary;forwhichlast,applicationistobemadetotheprovostmartial.

IX.Anynegligenceonthepartofthosewhoshallbeemployedonthisduty,willbepunishedwiththeutmostrigourofthelaw.

X.Thenight-watchistoconsistof12persons.

Everypoliticalcode,eitherfromadefectofitsconstitution,orfromthecorruptnessofthosewhoareentrustedtoexecuteit,willbefoundlessperfectinpracticethanspeculationhadpromiseditself.Itwere,however,prejudicetodeny,thatforsometimefollowingtheinstitutionofthispatrol,nightlydepredationsbecamelessfrequentandalarming:

thepettyvillains,atleast,wererestrainedbyit.Andtokeepevenagardenunravagedwasnowbecomeasubjectofthedeepestconcern.

ForinOctoberourweeklyallowanceofprovisions,whichhadhithertobeeneightpoundsofflour,fivepoundsofsaltpork,threepintsofpease,sixouncesofbutter,wasreducedtofivepoundsfiveouncesofflour,threepoundsfiveouncesofpork,andtwopintsofpease.

Inordertolessentheconsumptionfromthepublicstores,the"Supply"

wasorderedtotouchatLordHoweIsland,inherwayfromNorfolkIsland,totryifturtlecouldbeprocured,forthepurposeofbeingpubliclyservedinlieuofsaltprovisions.Butshebroughtbackonlythreeturtles,whichweredistributedinthegarrison.

December,1789.Attherequestofhisexcellency,lieutenantDawesofthemarines,accompaniedbylieutenantJohnstonandMr.Lowes,aboutthistimeundertooktheattempttocrosstheNepeanriver,andtopenetratetoCarmarthenmountains.Havingdiscoveredafordintheriver,theypassedit,andproceededinawesterlydirection.

Buttheyfoundthecountrysorugged,andthedifficultyofwalkingsoexcessive,thatinthreedaystheywereabletopenetrateonlyfifteenmiles,andwerethereforeobligedtorelinquishtheirobject.

Thisparty,atthetimetheyturnedback,werefartherinlandthananyotherpersonseverwerebeforeorsince,beingfifty-fourmilesinadirectlinefromtheseacoastwhenonthesummitofmountTwiss,ahillsonamedbythem,andwhichboundedtheirperegrination.

Intercoursewiththenatives,forthepurposeofknowingwhetherornotthecountrypossessedanyresources,bywhichlifemightbeprolonged*,aswellasonotheraccounts,becomingeverydaymoredesirable,thegovernorresolvedtomakeprisonersoftwomoreofthem.

[*Oneoftheconvicts,anegro,hadtwiceeloped,withanintentionofestablishinghimselfinthesocietyofthenatives,withawishtoadopttheircustomsandtolivewiththem:buthewasalwaysrepulsedbythem;

andcompelledtoreturntousfromhungerandwretchedness.]

Boatsproperlyprovided,underthecommandoflieutenantBradleyofthe"Sirius",wereaccordinglydispatchedonthisservice;andcompletelysucceededintrepanningandcarryingoff,withoutopposition,twofineyoungmen,whoweresafelylandedamongusatSydney.

NanbareeandAbaroowelcomedthemonshore;callingthemimmediatelybytheirnames,Baneelon(Bennelong),andColbee.Buttheyseemedlittledisposedtoreceivethecongratulations,orreposeconfidenceintheassurancesoftheirfriends.Thesamescenesofawkwardwonderandimpatientconstraint,whichhadattendedtheintroductionofArabanoo,succeeded.Baneelonwejudgedtobeabouttwenty-sixyearsold,ofgoodstature,andstoutlymade,withaboldintrepidcountenance,whichbespokedefianceandrevenge.Colbeewasperhapsnearthirty,ofalesssullenaspectthanhiscomrade,considerablyshorter,andnotsorobustlyframed,thoughbetterfittedforpurposesofactivity.

Theyhadbothevidentlyhadthesmallpox;indeedColbee"sfacewasverythicklyimprintedwiththemarksofit.

Positiveorderswereissuedbythegovernortotreatthemindulgently,andguardthemstrictly;notwithstandingwhichColbeecontrivedtoeffecthisescapeinaboutaweek,withasmallironringroundhisleg.

Hadthoseappointedtowatchthembeenamomentlater,hiscompanionwouldhavecontrivedtoaccompanyhim.

ButBaneelon,thoughhaughty,knewhowtotemporize.Hequicklythrewoffallreserve;andpretended,nay,atparticularmoments,perhapsfeltsatisfactioninhisnewstate.UnlikepoorArabanoo,hebecameatoncefondofourviands,andwoulddrinkthestrongestliquors,notsimplywithoutreluctance,butwitheagermarksofdelightandenjoyment.

Hewastheonlynativeweeverknewwhoimmediatelyshewedafondnessforspirits:Colbeewouldnotatfirsttouchthem.Norwastheeffectofwineorbrandyuponhimmoreperceptiblethananequalquantitywouldhaveproducedupononeofus,althoughfermentedliquorwasnewtohim.

Inhiseating,hewasalikecompliant.WhenaturtlewasshowntoArabanoo,hewouldnotallowittobeafish,andcouldnotbeinducedtoeatofit.

Baneelonalsodeniedittobeafish;butnocommoncouncilmaninEuropecoulddomorejusticethanhedidtoaveryfineone,thatthe"Supply"

hadbroughtfromLordHoweIsland,andwhichwasservedupatthegovernor"stableonChristmasDay.

Hispowersofmindwerecertainlyfarabovemediocrity.Heacquiredknowledge,bothofourmannersandlanguage,fasterthanhispredecessorhaddone.

Hewillinglycommunicatedinformation;sang,danced,andcapered,toldusallthecustomsofhiscountry,andallthedetailsofhisfamilyeconomy.

Loveandwarseemedhisfavouritepursuits;inbothofwhichhehadsufferedseverely.Hisheadwasdisfiguredbyseveralscars;aspearhadpassedthroughhisarm,andanotherthroughhisleg.Halfofoneofhisthumbswascarriedaway;andthemarkofawoundappearedonthebackofhishand.

Thecauseandattendantcircumstancesofallthesedisasters,exceptone,herelatedtous.

"Butthewoundonthebackofyourhand,Baneelon!Howdidyougetthat?"

Helaughed,andownedthatitwasreceivedincarryingoffaladyofanothertribebyforce."Iwasdraggingheraway.Shecriedaloud,andstuckherteethinme."

"Andwhatdidyoudothen?"

"Iknockedherdown,andbeathertillshewasinsensible,andcoveredwithblood.Then"

Wheneverherecountedhisbattles,"poisedhislance,andshowedhowfieldswerewon",themostviolentexclamationsofrageandvengeanceagainsthiscompetitorsinarms,thoseofthetribecalledCameeragalinparticular,wouldburstfromhim.Andheneverfailedatsuchtimestosolicitthegovernortoaccompanyhim,withabodyofsoldiers,inorderthathemightexterminatethishatedname.

AlthoughIcallhimonlyBaneelon,hehadbesidesseveralappellations,andforawhilehechosetobedistinguishedbythatofWolarawaree.

Again,asamarkofaffectionandrespecttothegovernor,heconferredonhimthenameofWolarawaree,andsometimescalledhim"Beenena"(father),adoptingtohimselfthenameofgovernor.Thisinterchangewefoundisaconstantsymboloffriendshipamongthem*.Inaword,histemperseemedpliant,andhisrelishofoursocietysogreat,thathardlyanyonejudgedhewouldattempttoquitus,werethemeansofescapeputwithinhisreach.Neverthelessitwasthoughtpropertocontinueawatchoverhim.

[*ItisobservablethatthiscustomprevailsasapledgeoffriendshipandkindnessalloverAsia,andhasalsobeenmentionedbyCaptainCooktoexistamongthenativesintheSouthSeaIslands.]

CHAPTERVI.

TransactionsoftheColony,fromtheBeginningoftheYear1790

untiltheEndofMayfollowing.

OurimpatienceofnewsfromEuropestronglymarkedthecommencementoftheyear.Wehadnowbeentwoyearsinthecountry,andthirty-twomonthsfromEngland,inwhichlongperiodnosupplies,exceptwhathadbeenprocuredattheCapeofGoodHopebythe"Sirius",hadreachedus.Fromintelligenceofourfriendsandconnectionswehadbeenentirelycutoff,nocommunicationwhateverhavingpassedwithournativecountrysincethe13thofMay1787,thedayofourdeparturefromPortsmouth.Faminebesideswasapproachingwithgiganticstrides,andgloomanddejectionoverspreadeverycountenance.