第3章

Menabandonedthemselvestothemostdespondingreflections,andadoptedthemostextravagantconjectures.

Stillwewereonthetiptoeofexpectation.Ifthunderbrokeatadistance,orafowling-pieceoflouderthanordinaryreportresoundedinthewoods,"agunfromaship"wasechoedoneveryside,andnothingbuthurryandagitationprevailed.Foreighteenmonthsafterwehadlandedinthecountry,apartyofmarinesusedtogoweeklytoBotanyBay,toseewhetheranyvessel,ignorantofourremovaltoPortJackson,mightbearrivedthere.Butabetterplanwasnowdevised,onthesuggestionofcaptainHunter.Apartyofseamenwerefixedonahighbluff,calledtheSouth-head,attheentranceoftheharbour,onwhichaflagwasorderedtobehoisted,wheneverashipmightappear,whichshouldserveasadirectiontoher,andasasignalofapproachtous.Everyofficersteppedforwardtovolunteeraservicewhichpromisedtobesorepletewithbeneficialconsequences.ButthezealandalacrityofcaptainHunter,andourbrethrenofthe"Sirius",renderedsuperfluousallassistanceorco-operation.

Hereonthesummitofthehill,everymorningfromdaylightuntilthesunsunk,didwesweepthehorizon,inhopeofseeingasail.Ateveryfleetingspeckwhicharosefromthebosomofthesea,theheartbounded,andthetelescopewasliftedtotheeye.Ifashipappearedhere,weknewshemustbeboundtous;forontheshoresofthisvastocean(thelargestintheworld)

weweretheonlycommunitywhichpossessedtheartofnavigation,andlanguishedforintercoursewithcivilizedsociety.

Tosaythatweweredisappointedandshocked,wouldveryinadequatelydescribeoursensations.Butthemiseryandhorrorofsuchasituationcannotbeimparted,evenbythosewhohavesufferedunderit.

March,1790.Vigorousmeasureswerebecomeindispensable.Thegovernortherefore,earlyinFebruary,orderedthe"Sirius"toprepareforavoyagetoChina;andafartherretrenchmentofourration,weweregiventounderstand,wouldtakeplaceonhersailing.

Butthe"Sirius"wasdestinednottoreachChina.Previouslytoherintendeddepartureonthatvoyage,shewasordered,inconcertwiththe"Supply",toconveyMajorRoss,withalargedetachmentofmarines,andmorethantwohundredconvicts,toNorfolkIsland,itbeinghopedthatsuchadivisionofournumberswouldincreasethemeansofsubsistence,bydiversifiedexertions.Shesailedonthe6thofMarch.Andonthe27thofthesamemonth,thefollowingorderwasissuedfromheadquarters.

Parole——Honour.

Countersign——Example.

Theexpectedsupplyofprovisionsnothavingarrived,makesitnecessarytoreducethepresentration.

Andthecommissaryisdirectedtoissue,fromthe1stofApril,theunder-mentionedallowance,toeverypersoninthesettlementwithoutdistinction.

Fourpoundsofflour,twopoundsandahalfofsaltpork,andonepoundandahalfofrice,perweek.

Onthe5thofAprilnewswasbrought,thattheflagontheSouth-headwashoisted.Lessemotionwascreatedbythenewsthanmightbeexpected.

Everyonecoldlysaidtohisneighbour,"the"Sirius"and"Supply"arereturnedfromNorfolkIsland."Tosatisfymyselfthattheflagwasreallyflying,Iwenttotheobservatory,andlookedforitthroughthelargeastronomicaltelescope,whenIplainlysawit.ButIwasimmediatelyconvincedthatitwasnottoannouncethearrivalofshipsfromEngland;forIcouldseenobodyneartheflagstaffexceptonesolitarybeing,whokeptstrollingaround,unmovedbywhathesaw.Iwellknewhowdifferentaneffectthesightofstrangeshipswouldproduce.

April,1790.Thegovernor,however,determinedtogodowntheharbour,andIbeggedpermissiontoaccompanyhim.Havingturnedapointabouthalfwaydown,weweresurprisedtoseeaboat,whichwasknowntobelongtothe"Supply",rowingtowardsus.Onnearerapproach,IsawcaptainBallmakeanextraordinarymotionwithhishand,whichtooplainlyindicatedthatsomethingdisastroushadhappened;andIcouldnothelpturningtothegovernor,nearwhomIsat,andsaying,"Sir,prepareyourselfforbadnews."Afewminuteschangeddoubtintocertainty;andtoourunspeakableconsternationwelearned,thatthe"Sirius"hadbeenwreckedonNorfolkIsland,onthe19thofFebruary.Happily,however,CaptainHunter,andeveryotherpersonbelongingtoher,weresaved.

Dismaywaspaintedoneverycountenance,whenthetidingswereproclaimedatSydney.ThemostdistractingapprehensionswereentertainedAllhopeswerenowconcentredinthelittle"Supply".

Atsixo"clockintheevening,alltheofficersofthegarrison,bothcivilandmilitary,weresummonedtomeetthegovernorincouncil,whenthenatureofoursituationwasfullydiscussedandanaccountoftheprovisionsyetremaininginstorelaidbeforethecouncilbythecommissary.Thisaccountstated,thatonthepresentration*

thepublicstorescontainedsaltmeatsufficienttoserveuntilthe2ndofJuly,flouruntilthe20thofAugust,andrice,orpeaseinlieuofit,untilthe1stofOctober.

[*Seetherationofthe27thofMarch,afewpagesback.]

Severalregulationsforthemoreeffectualpreservationofgardens,andotherprivateproperty,wereproposed,andadoptedandaftersomeinterchangeofopinion,thefollowingrationwasdecreedtocommenceimmediately,avigorousexertiontoprolongexistence,orthechanceofrelief,beingallnowlefttous.

Twopoundsofpork,twopoundsandahalfofflour,twopoundsofrice,oraquartofpease,perweek,toeverygrownperson,andtoeverychildofmorethaneighteenmonthsold.

Toeverychildundereighteenmonthsold,thesamequantityofriceandflour,andonepoundofpork.**

[**Whentheageofthisprovisionisrecollected,itsinadequacywillmorestrikinglyappear.TheporkandricewerebroughtwithusfromEngland.

Theporkhadbeensaltedbetweenthreeandfouryears,andeverygrainofricewasamovingbody,fromtheinhabitantslodgedwithinit.

Wesoonleftoffboilingthepork,asithadbecomesooldanddry,thatitshrunkonehalfinitsdimensionswhensodressed.Ourusualmethodofcookingitwastocutoffthedailymorsel,andtoastitonaforkbeforethefire,catchingthedropswhichfellonasliceofbread,orinasaucerofrice.OurflourwastheremnantofwhatwasbroughtfromtheCape,bythe"Sirius",andwasgood.Insteadofbakingit,thesoldiersandconvictsusedtoboilitupwithgreens.]

Theimmediatedepartureofthe"Supply",forBatavia,wasalsodetermined.

Nordidourzealstophere.Thegovernorbeingresolvedtoemployalltheboats,publicandprivate,mprocuringfish——whichwasintendedtobeservedinlieuofsaltmeat——alltheofficers,civilandmilitary,includingtheclergyman,andthesurgeonsofthehospital,madethevoluntaryoffer,inadditiontotheirotherduties,togoalternatelyeverynightintheseboats,inordertoseethateveryexertionwasmade,andthatallthefishwhichmightbecaughtwasdepositedwiththecommissary.

Thebestmarksmenofthemarinesandconvictswerealsoselected,andputunderthecommandofatrustysergeant,withdirectionstorangethewoodsinsearchofkangaroos,whichwereordered,whenbroughtin,tobedeliveredtothecommissary.

Andasitwasjudgedthattheinevitablefatiguesofshootingandfishingcouldnotbesupportedonthecommonration,asmalladditionalquantityofflourandporkwasappropriatedtotheuseofthegame-keepers;andeachfisherman,whohadbeenoutduringtheprecedingnighthad,onhisreturninthemorning,apoundofuncleanedfishallowedforhisbreakfast.

Onthe17thinstant,the"Supply",captainBall,sailedforBatavia.

Wefollowedherwithanxiouseyesuntilshewasnolongervisible.

Trulydidwesaytoher"Inteomnisdomusinclinatarecumbit."Wewere,however,consoledbyreflecting,thateverythingwhichzeal,fortitude,andseamanship,couldproduce,wasconcentredinhercommander.

Ourbosomsconsequentlybecamelessperturbed;andallourlabourandattentionwereturnedononeobject——theprocuringoffood."Pride,pomp,andcircumstanceofgloriouswar"werenomore.

Thedistressofthelowerclassesforclotheswasalmostequaltotheirotherwants.Thestoreshadbeenlongexhausted,andwinterwasathand.

Nothingmoreludicrouscanbeconceivedthantheexpedientsofsubstituting,shifting,andpatching,whichingenuitydevised,toekeoutwretchedness,andpreservetheremainsofdecency.Thesuperiordexterityofthewomenwasparticularlyconspicuous.ManyaguardhaveIseenmount,inwhichthenumberofsoldierswithoutshoesexceededthatwhichhadyetpreservedremnantsofleather.

Norwasanotherpartofourdomesticeconomylesswhimsical.Ifaluckyman,whohadknockeddownadinnerwithhisgun,orcaughtafishbyanglingfromtherocks,invitedaneighbourtodinewithhim,theinvitationalwaysran,"bringyourownbread."Evenatthegovernor"stable,thiscustomwasconstantlyobserved.Everymanwhenhesatdownpulledhisbreadoutofhispocket,andlaiditbyhisplate.

Theinsufficiencyofourrationsoondiminishedourexecutionoflabour.

Bothsoldiersandconvictspleadedsuchlossofstrength,astofindthemselvesunabletoperformtheiraccustomedtasks.Thehoursofpublicworkwereaccordinglyshortenedor,rather,everymanwasorderedtodoasmuchashisstrengthwouldpermit,andeveryotherpossibleindulgencewasgranted.

May,1790.Inproportion,however,aslenityandmitigationwereextendedtoinabilityandhelplessness,inasmuchwasthemostrigorousjusticeexecutedondisturbersofthepublictranquillity.Personsdetectedinrobbinggardens,orpilferingprovisions,wereneverscreenedbecause,aseverymancouldpossess,byhisutmostexertions,butabaresufficiencytopreservelife*,hewhodeprivedhisneighbourofthatlittle,drovehimtodesperation.

Nonewlawsforthepunishmentoftheftwereenacted;butpersonsofalldescriptionswerepubliclywarned,thattheseverestpenalties,whichtheexistinglawinitsgreatestlatitudewouldauthorise,shouldbeinflictedonoffenders.Thefollowingsentenceofacourtofjustice,ofwhichIwasamember,onaconvictdetectedinagardenstealingpotatoes,willillustratethesubject.Hewasorderedtoreceivethreehundredlashesimmediately,tobechainedforsixmonthstotwoothercriminals,whowerethusfetteredforformeroffences,andtohavehisallowanceofflourstoppedforsixmonths.Sothatduringtheoperationofthesentence,twopoundsofpork,andtwopoundsofrice(orinlieuofthelatter,aquartofpease)perweek,constitutedhiswholesubsistence.

Suchwasthemelancholylengthtowhichwewerecompelledtostretchourpenalsystem.

[*Itspreservationinsomecaseswasfoundimpracticable.Threeorfourinstancesofpersonswhoperishedfromwanthavebeenrelatedtome.

Oneonly,however,fellwithinmyownobservation.Iwaspassingtheprovisionstore,whenaman,withawildhaggardcountenance,whohadjustreceivedhisdailypittancetocarryhome,cameout.

Hisfalteringgait,andeagerdevouringeye,ledmetowatchhim,andhehadnotproceededtenstepsbeforehefell.Iorderedhimtobecarriedtothehospital,where,whenhearrived,hewasfounddead.

Onopeningthebody,thecauseofdeathwaspronouncedtobeinanition.]

Farthertocontributetothedetectionofvillainy,aproclamation,offeringarewardofsixtypoundsofflour,moretemptingthantheoreofPeruorPotosi,waspromisedtoanyonewhoshouldapprehend,andbringtojustice,arobberofgardenground.

OurfriendBaneelon,duringthisseasonofscarcity,wasaswelltakencareofasourdesperatecircumstanceswouldallow.Weknewnothowtokeephim,andyetwereunwillingtopartwithhim.Hadhepenetratedourstate,perhapshemighthavegivenhiscountrymensuchadescriptionofourdiminishednumbers,anddiminishedstrength,aswouldhaveemboldenedthemtobecomemoretroublesome.Everyexpedientwasusedtokeephiminignorance.

Hisallowancewasregularlyreceivedbythegovernor"sservant,likethatofanyotherperson,buttherationofaweekwasinsufficienttohavekepthimforaday.Thedeficiencywassuppliedbyfishwheneveritcouldbeprocured,andalittleIndiancorn,whichhadbeenreservedwasgroundandappropriatedtohisuse.Inspiteofalltheseaids,wantoffoodhasbeenknowntomakehimfuriousandoftenmelancholy.

Thereisreasontobelievethathehadlongmeditatedhisescape,whichheeffectedinthenightofthe3rdinstant.Abouttwoo"clockinthemorning,hepretendedillness,andawakingtheservantwholayintheroomwithhim,beggedtogodownstairs.Theotherattendedhimwithoutsuspicionofhisdesign;andBaneelonnosoonerfoundhimselfinabackyard,thanhenimblyleapedoveraslightpaling,andbadeusadieu.

Thefollowingpublicorderwasissuedwithinthedateofthischapter,andistoopleasingaproofthatuniversaldepravitydidnotprevailamongtheconvicts,tobeomitted.

Thegovernor,inconsequenceoftheunremittedgoodbehaviourandmeritoriousconductofJohnIrving,ispleasedtoremittheremainderofthetermforwhichhewassentencedtotransportation.Heisthereforetobeconsideredasrestoredtoallthoserightsandprivileges,whichhadbeensuspendedinconsequenceofthesentenceofthelaw.Andassuch,heisherebyappointedtoactasanassistanttothesurgeonatNorfolkIsland.

CHAPTERVII

TransactionsoftheColonyinJune,July,andAugust,1790.

Atlengththecloudsofmisfortunebegantoseparate,andontheeveningofthe3rdofJune,thejoyfulcryof"theflag"sup"resoundedineverydirection.

Iwassittinginmyhut,musingonourfate,whenaconfusedclamourinthestreetdrewmyattention.Iopenedmydoor,andsawseveralwomenwithchildrenintheirarmsrunningtoandfrowithdistractedlooks,congratulatingeachother,andkissingtheirinfantswiththemostpassionateandextravagantmarksoffondness.Ineedednomore;butinstantlystartedout,andrantoahill,where,bytheassistanceofapocketglass,myhopeswererealized.Mynextdoorneighbour,abrother-officer,waswithme,butwecouldnotspeak.Wewrungeachotherbythehand,witheyesandheartsoverflowing.

Findingthatthegovernorintendedtogoimmediatelyinhisboatdowntheharbour,Ibeggedtobeofhisparty.

Asweproceeded,theobjectofourhopessoonappeared:alargeship,withEnglishcoloursflying,workingin,betweentheheadswhichformtheentranceoftheharbour.Thetumultuousstateofourmindsrepresentedherindanger;andwewereinagony.Soonafter,thegovernor,havingascertainedwhatshewas,leftus,andsteppedintoafishingboattoreturntoSydney.

Theweatherwaswetandtempestuousbutthebodyisdelicateonlywhenthesoulisatease.Wepushedthroughwindandrain,theanxietyofoursensationseverymomentredoubling.Atlastwereadtheword"London"

onherstern."Pullaway,mylads!SheisfromOldEngland!Afewstrokesmore,andweshallbeaboard!Hurrahforabellyfull,andnewsfromourfriends!"Suchwereourexhortationstotheboat"screw.

Afewminutescompletedourwishes,andwefoundourselvesonboardthe"LadyJuliana"transport,withtwohundredandtwenty-fiveofourcountrywomenwhomcrimeormisfortunehadcondemnedtoexile.Welearnedthattheyhadbeenalmostelevenmonthsontheirpassage,havingleftPlymouth,intowhichporttheyhadputinJuly,1789.Wecontinuedtoaskathousandquestionsonabreath.Stimulatedbycuriosity,theyinquiredinturn;

buttherightofbeingfirstanswered,wethought,layonourside.

"Letters,letters!"wasthecry.Theywereproduced,andtornopenintremblingagitation.Newsburstuponuslikemeridiansplendoronablindman.Wewereoverwhelmedwithit:public,private,general,andparticular.Norwasituntilsomedayshadelapsed,thatwewereabletomethodiseit,orreduceitintoform.Wenowheardforthefirsttimeofoursovereign"sillness,andhishappyrestorationtohealth.

TheFrenchrevolutionof1789,withalltheattendantcircumstancesofthatwonderfulandunexpectedevent,succeededtoamazeus*.Now,too,thedisasterwhichhadbefallenthe"Guardian",andtheliberalandenlargedplanonwhichshehadbeenstoredandfittedoutbygovernmentforouruse,waspromulged.Itservedalso,insomemeasure,toaccountwhywehadnotsoonerheardfromEngland.Forhadnotthe"Guardian"struckonanislandofice,shewouldprobablyhavereachedusthreemonthsbefore,andinthiscasehavepreventedthelossofthe"Sirius",althoughshehadsailedfromEnglandthreemonthsafterthe"LadyJuliana".

[*Thesewordsbringtomymindananecdote,which,thoughratheroutofplace,Ishalloffernoapologyforintroducing.Amongotherinquiries,wewereanxioustolearnwhetherM.delaPeyrouse,withthetwoshipsunderhiscommand,boundonavoyageofdiscovery,hadarrivedinFrance.

Weheardwithconcern,thatnoaccountsofthemhadbeenreceived,sincetheyhadleftBotanyBay,inMarch,1788.Irememberwhentheywereatthatplace,onedayconversingwithMonsieurdelaPeyrouse,aboutthebestmethodoftreatingsavagepeople,"Sir"saidhe,"Ihavesometimesbeencompelledtocommithostilitiesuponthem,butneverwithoutsufferingthemostpoignantregret;for,independentofmyownfeelingsontheoccasion,hisMajesty"s(LouisXVI)lastwordstome,desaproprebouche,whenItookleaveofhimatVersailles,were:"Itismyexpressinjunction,thatyoualwaystreattheIndiannationswithkindnessandhumanity.

Gratifytheirwishes,andnever,butinacaseofthelastnecessity,whenself-defencerequiresit,shedhumanblood."Arethesethesentimentsofatyrant,ofasanguinaryandperfidiousman?"

AgeneralthanksgivingtoAlmightyGod,forhisMajesty"srecovery,andhappyrestorationtohisfamilyandsubjects,wasorderedtobeoffereduponthefollowingWednesday,whenallpubliclabourwassuspended;

andeverypersoninthesettlementattendedatchurch,whereasermon,suitedtoanoccasion,atoncesofullofgratitudeandsolemnity,waspreachedbytheReverendRichardJohnson,chaplainofthecolony.

Alltheofficerswereafterwardsentertainedatdinnerbythegovernor.

Andintheevening,anaddresstohisexcellency,expressiveofcongratulationandloyalty,wasagreedupon;andintwodaysafterwaspresented,andverygraciouslyreceived.

Thefollowinginvitationtothenon-commissionedofficersandprivatesoldiersofthemarinebattalion,wasalsoaboutthistimepublished.

Inconsequenceoftheassurancethatwasgiventothenon-commissionedofficersandmenbelongingtothebattalionofmarines,ontheirembarkingfortheserviceofthiscountry,thatsuchofthemasshouldbehavewell,wouldbeallowedtoquittheservice,ontheirreturntoEngland;orbedischargedabroad,upontherelieftakingplace,andpermittedtosettleinthecountry——

HisMajestyhasbeengraciouslypleasedtodirectthefollowingencouragementtobehelduptosuchnon-commissionedofficersandprivates,asmaybedisposedtobecomesettlersinthiscountry,orinanyoftheislandscomprisedwithinthegovernmentofthecontinentofNewSouthWales,onthearrivalofthecorpsraisedandintendedfortheserviceofthiscolony,andfortheirrelief,viz:

Toeverynon-commissionedofficer,anallotmentofonehundredandthirtyacresofland,ifsingle,andofonehundredandfiftyacres,ifmarried.Toeveryprivatesoldier,anallotmentofeightyacres,ifsingle,andofonehundredacresifmarried;andalsoanallotmentoftenacresforeverychild,whetherofanon-commissionedofficer,orofaprivatesoldier.

Theseallotmentswillbefreeofallfines,taxes,quit-rents,andotheracknowledgments,forthespaceoftenyears;butaftertheexpirationofthatperiod,willbesubjecttoanannualquit-rentofoneshillingforeveryfiftyacres.

HisMajestyhaslikewisebeenfartherpleasedtosignifyhisroyalwillandpleasure,thatabountyofthreepoundsbeofferedtoeachnon-commissionedofficerandsoldier,whomaybedisposedtocontinueinthiscountry,andenlistinthecorpsappointedfortheserviceofNewSouthWales;withafartherassurance,thatincaseofaproperdemeanourontheirpart,theyshall,afterafartherserviceoffiveyears,beentitledtodoubletheformerportionofland,providedtheythenchoosetobecomesettlersinthecountry,freeofalltaxes,fines,andquit-rents,forthespaceoffifteenyears;

butafterthattime,tobesubjecttothebeforementionedannualquit-rentofoneshillingforeveryfiftyacres.

Andasafartherencouragementtothosemenwhomaybedesiroustobecomesettlers,andcontinueinthecountry,hisMajestyhasbeenlikewisepleasedtodirect,thateverymanshall,onbeingdischarged,receiveoutofthepublicstore,aportionofclothingandprovisions,sufficientforhissupportforoneyear;togetherwithasuitablequantityofseeds,grain,etc.forthetillageoftheland;andaportionoftoolsandimplementsofagriculture,properfortheiruse.Andwheneveranyman,whomaybecomeasettler,canmaintain,feed,andclothe,suchnumberofconvictsasmaybejudgednecessarybythegovernor,forthetimebeing,toassisthiminclearingandcultivatingtheland,theserviceofsuchconvictsshallbeassignedtohim.

Wewerejoyfullysurprisedonthe20thofthemonthtoseeanothersailentertheharbour.SheprovedtobetheJustiniantransport,commandedbyCaptainMaitland,andourrapturewasdoubledonfindingthatshewasladenentirelywithprovisionsforouruse.Fullallowance,andgeneralcongratulation,immediatelytookplace.ThisshiphadleftFalmouthonthepreceding20thofJanuary,andcompletedherpassageexactlyinfivemonths*.ShehadstaidatMadeiraoneday,andfouratSaoTiago,fromwhichlastplaceshehadsteereddirectlyforNewSouthWales,neglectingRiodeJaneiroonherright,andtheCapeofGoodHopeonherleft;

andnotwithstandingtheimmensetractofoceanshehadpassed,broughthercrewwithoutsicknessintoharbour.Whenthenoveltyandboldnessofsuchanattemptshallberecollected,toomuchpraise,onthespiritandactivityofMr.Maitland,cannotbebestowed.

[*Accidentonlypreventedherfrommakingitineighteendaysless,forshewastheninsightoftheharbour"smouth,whenanunpropitiousgaleofwindblewheroff.Otherwiseshewouldhavereachedusonedaysoonerthanthe"LadyJuliana".Itisacuriouscircumstance,thatthesetwoshipshadsailedtogetherfromtheriverThames,oneboundtoPortJackson,andtheotherboundtoJamaica.TheJustiniancarriedhercargotothelastmentionedplace,landedit;andloadedafreshwithsugars,whichshereturnedwith,anddeliveredinLondon.Shewasthenhiredasatransport,reladen,andsailedforNewSouthWales.Letitberemembered,thatnomaterialaccidenthadhappenedtoeithervessel.Butwhatwillnotzealanddiligenceaccomplish!]

Goodfortunecontinuedtobefriendus.Beforetheendofthemonth,threemoretransports,havingonboardtwocompaniesoftheNewSouthWalescorps,arrivedtoaddtooursociety.Theseshipsalsobroughtoutalargebodyofconvicts,whosestateandsufferingswillbebestestimatedbythefollowingreturn.

NamesofNo.ofpeopleNo.ofpersonswhodiedNo.landedsickShipsembarkedonthepassageatPortJackson——

Neptune530163269

Surprise25242121

Scarborough2566896——

1038273486——

N.B.Ofthoselandedsick,onehundredandtwenty-fourdiedinthehospitalatSydney.

OnourpassagefromEngland,whichhadlastedmorethaneightmonthsandwithnearlyanequalnumberofpersons,onlytwenty-fourhaddied,andnotthirtywerelandedsick.Thedifferencecanbeaccountedfor,onlybycomparingthemannerinwhicheachfleetwasfittedoutandconducted.

Withustheprovisions,servedonboard,werelaidinbyacontractor,whosentadeputytoservethemout;anditbecameapartofdutyfortheofficersofthetroopstoinspecttheirquality,andtoorderthateveryonereceivedhisjustproportion.Whereas,inthefleetnowarrived,thedistributionofprovisionsrestedentirelywiththemastersofthemerchantmen,andtheofficerswereexpresslyforbiddentointerfereinanyshapefartherabouttheconvictsthantopreventtheirescape.

Seventeenpounds,infullofallexpense,wasthesumpaidbythepublicforthepassageofeachperson.Andthissumwascertainlycompetenttoaffordfairprofittothemerchantwhocontracted.Butthereisreasontobelieve,thatsomeofthosewhowereemployedtoactforhim,violatedeveryprincipleofjustice,andriotedonthespoilsofmisery,forwantofacontrollingpowertochecktheirenormities.Nodoubtcanbeentertained,thatahumaneandliberalgovernmentwillinterposeitsauthority,topreventtherepetitionofsuchflagitiousconduct.

Althoughtheconvictshadlandedfromtheseshipswitheverymarkofmeagremisery,yetitwassoonseen,thatawantofroom,inwhichmoreconveniencesmighthavebeenstowedfortheiruse,hadnotcausedit.Severalofthemastersofthetransportsimmediatelyopenedstores,andexposedlargequantitiesofgoodstosale,which,thoughatmostextortionateprices,wereeagerlyboughtup.

Suchwastheweaklystateofthenewcorners,thatforseveralweekslittlerealbenefittothecolonywasderivedfromsogreatanominaladditiontoournumber.However,asfastastheyrecovered,employmentwasimmediatelyassignedtothem.Theoldhoursoflabour,whichhadbeenreducedinourdistress,werere-established,andthemostvigorousmeasuresadoptedtogiveprosperitytothesettlement.Newbuildingswereimmediatelyplanned,andlargetractsofground,atRose-hill,orderedtobecleared,andpreparedforcultivation.Somesuperintendentswhohadarrivedinthefleet,andwerehiredbygovernmentforthepurposeofoverlookinganddirectingtheconvicts,werefoundextremelyserviceableinacceleratingtheprogressofimprovement.

July,1790.Thismonthwasmarkedbynothingworthcommunication,exceptamelancholyaccidentwhichbefellayounggentlemanofamiablecharacter(oneofthemidshipmenlatelybelongingtothe"Sirius")

andtwomarines.Hewasinasmallboat,withthreemarines,intheharbour,whenawhalewasseennearthem.Sensibleoftheirdanger,theyusedeveryefforttoavoidthecauseofit,byrowinginacontrarydirectionfromthatwhichthefishseemedtotake,butthemonstersuddenlyaroseclosetothem,andnearlyfilledtheboatwithwater.Byexertingthemselves,theybaledherout,andagainsteeredfromit.Forsometimeitwasnotseen,andtheyconceivedthemselvessafe,when,risingimmediatelyundertheboat,itliftedhertotheheightofmanyyardsonitsback,whenceslippingoff,shedroppedasfromaprecipice,andimmediatelyfilledandsunk.

Themidshipmanandoneofthemarinesweresuckedintothevortexwhichthewhalehadmade,anddisappearedatonce.Thetwoothermarinesswamforthenearestshore,butoneonlyreachedit,torecountthefateofhiscompanions.

August,1790.Inthebeginningofthismonth,incompanywithMr.DawesandMr.Worgan,latesurgeonofthe"Sirius",IundertookanexpeditiontothesouthwardandwestwardofRoseHill,wherethecountryhadneverbeenexplored.Weremainedoutsevendays,andpenetratedtoaconsiderabledistanceinaS.S.W.direction,boundingourcourseataremarkablehill,towhich,fromitsconicalshape,wegavethenameofPyramid-hill.

Exceptthediscoveryofariver(whichisunquestionablytheNepeannearitssource)towhichwegavethenameoftheWorgan,inhonourofoneofourparty,nothingveryinterestingwasremarked.

Towardstheendofthemonth,wemadeasecondexcursiontothenorth-westofRoseHill,whenweagainfellinwiththeNepean,andtracedittothespotwhereithadbeenfirstdiscoveredbythepartyofwhichIwasamember,fourteenmonthsbefore,examiningthecountryaswewentalong.

LittledoubtnowsubsistedthattheHawkesburyandNepeanwereoneriver.

WeundertookathirdexpeditionsoonaftertoBrokenBay,whichplacewefoundhadnotbeenexaggeratedindescription,whetheritscapaciousharbour,oritsdesolateincultivableshores,beconsidered.Onalltheseexcursionswebroughtaway,insmallbags,asmanyspecimensofthesoilofthecountrywehadpassedthrough,ascouldbeconvenientlycarried,inorderthatbyanalysisitsqualitiesmightbeascertained.

CHAPTERVIII.

TransactionsoftheColonyintheBeginningofSeptember,1790.

Thetremendousmonsterwhohadoccasionedtheunhappycatastrophejustrecordedwasfatedtobethecauseoffarthermischieftous.

Onthe7thinstant,CaptainNepean,oftheNewSouthWalesCorps,andMr.White,accompaniedbylittleNanbaree,andapartyofmen,wentinaboattoManlyCove,intendingtolandthere,andwalkontoBrokenBay.Ondrawingneartheshore,adeadwhale,inthemostdisgustingstateofputrefaction,wasseenlyingonthebeach,andatleasttwohundredIndianssurroundingit,broilingthefleshondifferentfires,andfeastingonitwiththemostextravagantmarksofgreedinessandrapture.

Astheboatcontinuedtoapproach,theywereobservedtofallintoconfusionandtopickuptheirspears,onwhichourpeoplelayupontheiroarsandNanbareesteppingforward,haranguedthemforsometime,assuringthemthatwewerefriends.Mr.WhitenowcalledforBaneelonwho,onhearinghisname,cameforth,andenteredintoconversation.Hewasgreatlyemaciated,andsofardisfiguredbyalongbeard,thatourpeoplenotwithoutdifficultyrecognizedtheiroldacquaintance.HisansweringinbrokenEnglish,andinquiringforthegovernor,however,sooncorrectedtheirdoubts.

Heseemedquitefriendly.AndsoonafterColbeecameup,pointingtohisleg,toshowthathehadfreedhimselffromthefetterwhichwasuponhim,whenhehadescapedfromus.

WhenBaneelonwastoldthatthegovernorwasnotfaroff,heexpressedgreatjoy,anddeclaredthathewouldimmediatelygoinsearchofhim,andifhefoundhimnot,wouldfollowhimtoSydney."Haveyoubroughtanyhatchetswithyou?"criedhe.Unluckilytheyhadnotanywhichtheychosetospare;buttwoorthreeshirts,somehandkerchiefs,knives,andothertrifles,weregiventothem,andseemedtosatisfy.Baneelon,willingtoinstructhiscountrymen,triedtoputonashirt,butmanageditsoawkwardly,thatamanofthenameofM"Entire,thegovernor"sgamekeeper,wasdirectedbyMr.Whitetoassisthim.Thisman,whowaswellknowntohim,hepositivelyforbadetoapproach,eyeinghimferociously,andwitheverymarkofhorrorandresentment.Hewasinconsequencelefttohimself,andtheconversationproceededasbefore.Thelengthofhisbeardseemedtoannoyhimmuch,andheexpressedeagerwishestobeshaved,askingrepeatedlyforarazor.Apairofscissorswasgiventohim,andheshewedhehadnotforgottenhowtousesuchaninstrument,forheforthwithbegantocliphishairwithit.

Duringthistime,thewomenandchildren,tothenumberofmorethanfifty,stoodatadistance,andrefusedallinvitations,whichcouldbeconveyedbysignsandgestures,toapproachnearer."Whichofthemisyouroldfavourite,Barangaroo,ofwhomyouusedtospeaksooften?"

"Oh,"saidhe,"sheisbecomethewifeofColbee!ButIhavegot"bullamureedeein"(twolargewomen)tocompensateforherloss."

Itwasobservedthathehadreceivedtwowounds,inadditiontohisformernumerousones,sincehehadleftus;oneofthemfromaspear,whichhadpassedthroughthefleshypartofhisarm;andtheotherdisplayeditselfinalargescarabovehislefteye.Theywerebothhealed,andprobablywereacquiredintheconflictwhereinhehadassertedhispretensionstothetwoladies.

Nanbaree,allthiswhile,thoughhecontinuedtointerrogatehiscountrymen,andtointerpretonbothsides,shewedlittledesiretoreturntotheirsociety,andstuckveryclosetohisnewfriends.Onbeingaskedthecauseoftheirpresentmeeting,Baneelonpointedtothewhale,whichstunkimmoderately,andColbeemadesignals,thatitwascommonamongthemtocatuntilthestomachwassooverladenastooccasionsickness.

Theirdemandofhatchetsbeingre-iterated,notwithstandingourrefusal,theywereaskedwhytheyhadnotbroughtwiththemsomeoftheirown?

Theyexcusedthemselvesbysaying,thatonanoccasionofthepresentsort,theyalwaysleftthemathome,andcutupthewhalewiththeshellwhichisaffixedtotheendofthethrowing-stick.

Ourpartynowthoughtittimetoproceedontheiroriginalexpedition,andhavingtakenleaveoftheirsablefriends,rowedtosomedistance,wheretheylanded,andsetoutforBrokenBay,orderingthecoxswainoftheboat,inwhichtheyhadcomedown,togoimmediatelyandacquaintthegovernorofallthathadpassed.Whenthenativessawthattheboatwasabouttodepart,theycrowdedaroundher,andbroughtdown,bywayofpresent,threeorfourgreatjunksofthewhale,andputthemonboardofher,thelargestofwhich,Baneelonexpresslyrequestedmightbeoffered,inhisname,tothegovernor.

Ithappenedthathisexcellencyhadthisdaygonetoalandmark,whichwasbuildingontheSouth-head,neartheflag-staff,toserveasadirectiontoshipsatsea,andtheboatmethimonhisreturntoSydney.

Immediatelyonreceivingtheintelligence,hehastenedbacktotheSouth-head,andhavingprocuredallthefire-armswhichcouldbemusteredthere,consistingoffourmusketsandapistol,setout,attendedbyMr.CollinsandLieutenantWaterhouseofthenavy.

WhentheboatreachedManlyCove,thenativeswerefoundstillbusilyemployedaroundthewhale.Astheyexpressednotanyconsternationonseeingusrowtothebeach,governorPhillipsteppedoutunarmed,andattendedbyoneseamanonly,andcalledforBaneelon,whoappeared,but,notwithstandinghisformereagerness,wouldnotsuffertheothertoapproachhimforseveralminutes.

Gradually,however,hewarmedintofriendshipandfrankness,andpresentlyafterColbeecameup.Theydiscoursedforsometime,Baneelonexpressingpleasuretoseehisoldacquaintance,andinquiringbynameforeverypersonwhomhecouldrecollectatSydney;andamongothersforaFrenchcook,oneofthegovernor"sservants,whomhehadconstantlymadethebuttofhisridicule,bymimickinghisvoice,gait,andotherpeculiarities,allofwhichheagainwentthroughwithhiswontedexactnessanddrollery.

Heaskedalsoparticularlyforaladyfromwhomhehadonceventuredtosnatchakiss;andonbeingtoldthatshewaswell,bywayofprovingthatthetokenwasfreshinhisremembrance,hekissedLieutenantWaterhouse,andlaughedaloud.Onhiswoundsbeingnoticed,hecoldlysaid,thathehadreceivedthematBotanyBay,butwentnofartherintotheirhistory.