第5章

Ofpublicbuildings,besidestheoldwoodenbarrackandstore,thereisahouseoflathandplaster,forty-fourfeetlongbysixteenwide,forthegovernor,onagroundflooronly,withexcellentout-housesandappurtenancesattachedtoit.Anewbrickstorehouse,coveredwithtiles,100feetlongbytwenty-fourwide,isnearlycompleted,andahouseforthestore-keeper.Thefirststoneofabarrack,100feetlongbytwenty-fourwide,towhichareintendedtobeaddedwingsfortheofficers,waslaidto-day.Thesituationofthebarrackisjudicious,beingclosetothestore-house,andwithinahundredandfiftyyardsofthewharf,whereallboatsfromSydneyunload.TowhatIhavealreadyenumerated,mustbeaddedanexcellentbarn,agranary,aninclosedyardtorearstockin,acommodiousblacksmith"sshop,andamostwretchedhospital,totallydestituteofeveryconveniency.Luckilyforthegentlemanwhosuperintendsthishospital,andstillmoreluckilyforthosewhoaredoomedincaseofsicknesstoenterit,theairofRoseHillhashithertobeengenerallyhealthy.Atendencytoproduceslightinflammatorydisorders,fromtherapidchanges*ofthetemperatureoftheair,ismosttobedreaded.

[*Inthecloseoftheyear1788,whenthissettlementwasestablished,thethermometerhasbeenknowntostandat50degreesalittlebeforesunrise,andbetweenoneandtwoo"clockintheafternoonatabove100degrees.]

"ThehoursoflabourfortheconvictsarethesamehereasatSydney.

OnSaturdaysafterteno"clockinthemorningtheyareallowedtoworkintheirowngardens.Thesegardensareatpresent,fromthelongdroughtandothercauses,inamostdeplorablestate.Potatoes,Ithink,thrivebetterthananyothervegetableinthem.Forthepublicconveniencyabakerisestablishedhereinagoodbakehouse,whoexchangeswitheverypersonbreadforflour,onstipulatedterms;butnocompulsionexistsforanyonetotakehisbread;itisleftentirelytoeverybody"sownoptiontoconsumehisflourashepleases.Divineserviceisperformedhere,morningandafternoon,oneSundayineverymonth,whenalltheconvictsareobligedtoattendchurch,underpenaltyofhavingapartoftheirallowanceofprovisionsstopped,whichisdonebythechaplain,whoisajusticeofthepeace.

"Forthepunishmentofoffenders,whereacriminalcourtisnotjudgednecessary,twoormorejustices,occasionallyassemble,andordertheinflictionofslightcorporalpunishment,orshortconfinementinastrongroombuiltforthispurpose.Themilitarypresenthereconsistsoftwosubalterns,twosergeants,threecorporals,adrummer,andtwenty-oneprivates.Thesehavebeenoccasionallyaugmentedandreduced,ascircumstanceshavebeenthoughttorenderitnecessary.

Brick-kilnsarenowerectedhere,andbricksmanufacturedbyaconvictofthenameofBecket,whocameoutinthelastfleet,andhasfifty-twopeopletoworkunderhim.Hemakes25,000bricksweekly.Hesaysthattheyareverygood,andwouldsellatBirmingham,whereheworkedabouteighteenmonthsago,atmorethan30shillingsperthousand.

Nothingfartherofpublicnatureremainingtoexamine,Inextvisitedahumbleadventurer,whoistryinghisfortunehere.JamesRuse,convict,wascastforsevenyearsatBodminassizes,inAugust1782.Helayfiveyearsinprisonandonboardthe"Dunkirk"hulkatPlymouth,andthenwassenttothiscountry.Whenhistermofpunishmentexpired,inAugust1789,heclaimedhisfreedom,andwaspermittedbythegovernor,onpromisingtosettleinthecountry,totakeinDecemberfollowing,anuncleanedpieceofground,withanassurancethatifhewouldcultivateit,itshouldnotbetakenfromhim.Someassistancewasgivenhim,tofellthetimber,andheaccordinglybegan.Hispresentaccounttomewasasfollows.

Iwasbredahusbandman,nearLauncesterinCornwall.

IclearedmylandaswellasIcould,withthehelpaffordedme.TheexactlimitofwhatgroundIamtohave,Idonotyetknow;butacertaindirectionhasbeenpointedouttome,inwhichImayproceedasfastasI

cancultivate.Ihavenowanacreandahalfinbeardedwheat,halfanacreinmaize,andasmallkitchengarden.

OnmywheatlandIsowedthreebushelsofseed,theproduceofthiscountry,broadcast.Iexpecttoreapabouttwelveorthirteenbushels.Iknownothingofthecultivationofmaize,andcannotthereforeguesssowellatwhatIamlikelytogather.IsowedpartofmywheatinMay,andpartinJune.ThatsowninMayhasthrivedbest.MymaizeIplantedinthelatterendofAugust,andthebeginningofSeptember.MylandI

preparedthus:havingburntthefallentimberofftheground,Idugintheashes,andthenhoeditup,neverdoingmorethaneight,orperhapsnine,rodsinaday,bywhichmeans,itwasnotlikethegovernmentfarm,justscratchedover,butproperlydone.ThenI

clod-mouldedit,andduginthegrassandweeds.ThisIthinkalmostequaltoploughing.IthenletitlieaslongasIcould,exposedtoairandsun;andjustbeforeIsowedmyseed,turneditallupafresh.WhenIshallhavereapedmycrop,Ipurposetohoeitagain,andharrowitfine,andthensowitwithturnip-seed,whichwillmellowandprepareitfornextyear.Mystraw,Imeantoburyinpits,andthrowinwithiteverythingwhichIthinkwillrotandturntomanure.

Ihavenopersontohelpme,atpresent,butmywife,whomImarriedinthiscountry;sheisindustrious.

Thegovernor,forsometime,gavemethehelpofaconvictman,butheistakenaway.Bothmywifeandmyselfreceiveourprovisionsregularlyatthestore,likeallotherpeople.Myopinionofthesoilofmyfarm,is,thatitismiddling,neithergoodorbad.

Iwillbeboundtomakeitdowiththeaidofmanure,butwithoutcattleitwillfail.Thegreatestcheckuponmeis,thedishonestyoftheconvictswho,inspiteofallmyvigilance,robmealmosteverynight.

TheannexedreturnwillshowthenumberofpersonsofalldescriptionsatRoseHill,atthisperiod.Onthemorningofthe17th,IwentdowntoSydney.

Hereterminatesthetranscriptionofmydiary.Itwerevaintosuppose,thatitcanproveeitheragreeableorinterestingtoamajorityofreadersbutasthisworkisintendednotonlyforamusement,butinformation,Iconsidereditrighttopresentthisdetailunaltered,eitherinitsstyleorarrangement.

AreturnofthenumberofpersonsemployedatRoseHill,November16th,1790-

HowEmployed|Troops|Civildept|Troops|Convicts|

|||Wives|Children|Men|Women|Children|-

Storekeeper1

Surgeon1

Carpenters24

Blacksmiths5

MasterBricklayer1

Bricklayers28

MasterBrickmaker1

Brickmakers52

Labourers326*

Assistantstotheprovisionstore4

Assistantstothehospital3

Officers"servants6

MakingClothing50

Superintendants4-

Totalnumberofpersons552|29|6|1|3|450|50|13|-

[*Oftheselabourers,16aresawyers.Therestarevariouslyemployedinclearingfreshland;indraggingbrickandtimbercarts;

andagreatnumberinmakingaroadofamilelong,throughthemainstreet,tothegovernor"shouse.]

CHAPTERXI.

FartherTransactionsoftheColonyinNovember,1790.

Duringtheintervalsofduty,ourgreatestsourceofentertainmentnowlayincultivatingtheacquaintanceofournewfriends,thenatives.Everliberalofcommunication,nodifficultybutofunderstandingeachothersubsistedbetweenus.Inexplicablecontradictionsarosetobewilderourresearcheswhichnoingenuitycouldunravelandnocredulityreconcile.

Baneelon,frombeingaccustomedtoourmanners,andunderstandingalittleEnglish,wasthepersonthroughwhomwewishedtoprosecuteinquiry,buthehadlatelybecomeamanofsomuchdignityandconsequence,thatitwasnotalwayseasytoobtainhiscompany.Clotheshadbeengiventohimatvarioustimes,buthedidnotalwayscondescendtowearthem.Onedayhewouldappearinthem,andthenextdayhewastobeseencarryingtheminanetslungaroundhisneck.Farthertopleasehim,abrickhouseoftwelvefeetsquarewasbuiltforhisuse,andforthatofsuchofhiscountrymenasmightchoosetoresideinit,onapointoflandfixeduponbyhimself.Ashield,doublecasedwithtin,towardoffthespearsofhisenemies,wasalsopresentedtohim,bythegovernor.

Elatedbythesemarksoffavour,andsensiblethathisimportancewithhiscountrymenaroseinproportiontoourpatronageofhim,hewarmlyattachedhimselftooursociety.Butthegratitudeofasavageiseveraprecarioustenure.ThatofBaneelonwasfatedtosuffersuspension,andhadwellnighbeenobliteratedbythefollowingsingularcircumstance.

Onedaythenativeswereobservedtoassembleinmorethananordinarynumberattheirhouseonthepoint,andtobefullofbustleandagitation,repeatedlycallingonthenameofBaneelon,andthatof"deein"(awoman).

Betweentwelveandoneo"clockBaneelon,unattended,cametothegovernorathishouse,andtoldhimthathewasgoingtoputtodeathawomanimmediately,whomhehadbroughtfromBotanyBay.Havingcommunicatedhisintention,hewaspreparingtogoaway,seemingnottowishthatthegovernorshouldbepresentattheperformanceoftheceremony.

ButHisExcellencywassostruckwiththefiercegestures,andwilddemeanouroftheother,whoheldinhishandoneofourhatchetsandfrequentlytriedthesharpnessofit,thathedeterminedtoaccompanyhim,takingwithhimMr.Collinsandhisorderlysergeant.Ontheroad,Baneeloncontinuedtotalkwildlyandincoherentlyofwhathewoulddo,andmanifestedsuchextravagantmarksoffuryandrevenge,thathishatchetwastakenawayfromhim,andawalking-sticksubstitutedforit.

Whentheyreachedthehouse,theyfoundseveralnatives,ofbothsexeslyingpromiscuouslybeforethefire,andamongthemayoungwoman,notmorethansixteenyearsold,whoatsightofBaneelon,started,andraisedherselfhalfup.Henosoonersawherthan,snatchingaswordofthecountry,heranather,andgavehertwoseverewoundsontheheadandoneontheshoulder,beforeinterferenceinbehalfofthepoorwretchcouldbemade.

Ourpeoplenowrushedinandseizedhim;buttheotherIndianscontinuedquietspectatorsofwhatwaspassing,eitherawedbyBaneelon"ssuperiorityordeemingitacommoncase,unworthyofnoticeandinterposition.

Invaindidthegovernorbyturnssootheandthreatenhim.Invaindidthesergeantpointhismusquetathim.Heseemeddeadtoeverypassionbutrevenge;forgothisaffectiontohisoldfriendsand,insteadofcomplyingwiththerequesttheymade,furiouslybrandishedhisswordatthegovernor,andcalledaloudforhishatchettodispatchtheunhappyvictimofhisbarbarity.Mattersnowworeaseriousaspect.TheotherIndiansappearedunderthecontrolofBaneelonandhadbeguntoarmandpreparetheirspears,asifdeterminedtosupporthiminhisviolence.

Fartherdelaymighthavebeenattendedwithdanger.The"Supply"wasthereforeimmediatelyhailed,andanarmedboatorderedtobesentonshore.

Luckily,thoseonboardtheshiphadalreadyobservedthecommotionandaboatwasready,intowhichcaptainBall,withseveralofhispeoplestepped,armedwithmusquets,andputoff.Itwasreasonabletobelievethatsopowerfulareinforcementwouldrestoretranquillity,butBaneelonstoodunintimidatedatdisparityofnumbersandboldlydemandedhisprisoner,whoselife,hetoldthegovernor,hewasdeterminedtosacrifice,andafterwardstocutoffherhead.Everyonewaseagertoknowwhatcouldbethecauseofsuchinveterateinhumanity.Undaunted,herepliedthatherfatherwashisenemy,fromwhomhehadreceivedthewoundinhisforeheadbeforementioned;andthatwhenhewasdowninbattle,andunderthelanceofhisantagonist,thiswomanhadcontributedtoassailhim."Sheisnow,"

addedhe,"myproperty:Ihaveravishedherbyforcefromhertribe:

andIwillpartwithhertonopersonwhatever,untilmyvengeanceshallbeglutted."

Fartherremonstrancewouldhavebeenwasted.HisExcellencythereforeorderedthewomantobetakentothehospitalinorderthatherwoundsmightbedressed.Whilethiswasdoing,oneofthenatives,ayoungmannamedBoladeree,cameupandsupplicatedtobetakenintotheboatalso,sayingthathewasherhusband,whichsheconfirmedandbeggedthathemightbeadmitted.

Hewasafinewellgrownlad,ofnineteenortwentyyearsold,andwasoneofthepersonswhohadbeeninthehouseinthescenejustdescribed,whichhehadinnowiseendeavouredtoprevent,ortoaffordassistancetothepoorcreaturewhohadarighttohisprotection.

Allourpeoplenowquittedtheplace,leavingtheexasperatedBaneelonandhisassociatestomeditatefartherschemesofvengeance.Beforetheypartedhegavethem,however,tounderstandthathewouldfollowtheobjectofhisresentmenttothehospital,andkillherthere,athreatwhichthegovernorassuredhimifheofferedtocarryintoexecutionheshouldbeimmediatelyshot.Eventhismenacehetreatedwithdisdain.

Toplacetherefugeesinsecurity,asentinelwasorderedtotakepostatthedoorofthehouse,inwhichtheywerelodged.Neverthelesstheyattemptedtogetawayinthenight,eitherfromfearthatwewerenotabletoprotectthem,orsomeappprehensionofbeingrestrainedfromfutureliberty.Whenquestionedwheretheyproposedtofindshelter,theysaidtheywouldgototheCameragaltribe,withwhomtheyshouldbesafe.

Onthefollowingmorning,Imeerawanyee*joinedthem,andexpressedstrongfearsofBaneelon"sresentment.Soonafterapartyofnatives,knowntoconsistofBaneelon"schosenfriends,withamanofthenameofBigon,attheirhead,boldlyenteredthehospitalgarden,andtriedtocarryoffallthreebyforce.

Theyweredrivenbackandthreatened,towhichtheirleaderonlyrepliedbycontemptuousinsolence.

[*Thisgood-temperedlivelylad,wasbecomeagreatfavouritewithus,andalmostconstantlylivedatthegovernor"shouse.Hehadclothesmadeupforhim,andtoamusehismind,hewastaughttowaitattable.

Onedayalady,Mrs.McArthur,wifeofanofficerofthegarrison,dinedthere,asdidNanbaree.Thislatter,anxiousthathiscountrymanshouldappeartoadvantageinhisnewoffice,gavehimmanyinstructions,strictlycharginghim,amongotherthings,totakeawaythelady"splate,wheneversheshouldcrossherknifeandfork,andtogiveheracleanone.ThisImeerawanyeeexecuted,notonlytoMrs.McArthur,buttoseveraloftheotherguests.

AtlastNanbareecrossedhisknifeandforkwithgreatgravity,castingaglanceattheother,wholookedforamomentwithcoolindifferenceatwhathehaddone,andthenturnedhisheadanotherway.Stungatthissupercilioustreatment,hecalledinrage,toknowwhyhewasnotattendedto,aswellastherestofthecompany.ButImeerawanyeeonlylaughed;norcouldalltheangerandreproachesoftheotherprevailuponhimtodothatforoneofhiscountrymen,whichhecheerfullycontinuedtoperformtoeveryotherperson.]

Baneelonfindinghecouldnotsucceed,withdrewhimselffortwodays.

Atlengthhemadehisappearance,attendedonlybyhiswife.Unmindfulofwhathadsorecentlyhappened,hemarchedsinglyuptothegovernor"shouse,andonbeingrefusedadmittance,thoughunarmed,attemptedtoforcethesentinel.Thesoldiersparedhim,buttheguardwasinstantlysentfor,anddrawnupinfrontofthehouse;notthattheirco-operationwasnecessary,butthattheirappearancemightterrify.Hisardournowcooled,andheseemedwilling,bysubmission,toatoneforhismisconduct.Hisintrepiddisregardofpersonalrisk,nayoflife,couldnothowever,butgainadmiration;

thoughitledustopredict,thatthisBaneelon,whomimaginationhadfondlypictured,likeasecondOmai,thegazeofacourtandthescrutinyofthecurious,wouldperishuntimely,thevictimofhisowntemerity.

Toencouragehispresentdispositionofmind,andtotryiffeelingsofcompassiontowardsanenemy,couldbeexertedbyanIndianwarrior,thegovernororderedhimtobetakentothehospital,thathemightseethevictimofhisferocity.Hecompliedinsullensilence.Whenabouttoentertheroominwhichshelay,heappearedtohaveamomentarystrugglewithhimself,whichendedhisresentment.Hespoketoherwithkindness,andprofessedsorrowforwhathehaddone,andpromisedherfutureprotection.

Barangaroo,whohadaccompaniedhim,nowtookthealarm:andasinshunningoneextremeweareeverlikelytorushintoanother,shethoughthimperhapstoocourteousandtender.Accordinglyshebegantorevilethembothwithgreatbitterness,threwstonesatthegirlandattemptedtobeatherwithaclub.

Hereterminatedthiscurioushistory,whichIleavetothereader"sspeculation.Whetherhumansacrificesofprisonersbecommonamongthemisapointwhichallourfutureinquirynevercompletelydetermined.

Itiscertainthatnosecondinstanceofthissortwaseverwitnessedbyus.

CHAPTERXII.

TransactionsoftheColonyinPartofDecember,1790.

Onthe9thofthemonth,asergeantofmarines,withthreeconvicts,amongwhomwasMcEntire,thegovernor"sgamekeeper(thepersonofwhomBaneelonhad,onformeroccasions,shownsomuchdreadandhatred)wentoutonashootingparty.HavingpassedthenortharmofBotanyBay,theyproceededtoahutformedofboughs,whichhadbeenlatelyerectedonthispeninsula,fortheaccommodationofsportsmenwhowishedtocontinuebynightinthewoods;for,asthekangaroosintheday-time,chieflykeepinthecover,itiscustomaryonthesepartiestosleepuntilnearsunset,andwatchforthegameduringthenight,andintheearlypartofthemorning.

Accordingly,havinglightedafire,theylaydown,withoutdistrustorsuspicion.

Aboutoneo"clock,thesergeantwasawakenedbyarustlingnoiseinthebushesnearhim,andsupposingittoproceedfromakangaroo,calledtohiscomrades,whoinstantlyjumpedup.Onlookingaboutmorenarrowly,theysawtwonativeswithspearsintheirhands,creepingtowardsthem,andthreeothersalittlefartherbehind.Asthisnaturallycreatedalarm,McEntiresaid,"don"tbeafraid,Iknowthem,"andimmediatelylayingdownhisgun,steppedforward,andspoketothemintheirownlanguage.TheIndians,findingtheywerediscovered,keptslowlyretreating,andMcEntireaccompaniedthemaboutahundredyards,talkingfamiliarlyallthewhile.

Oneofthemnowjumpedonafallentreeand,withoutgivingtheleastwarningofhisintention,launchedhisspearatMcEntireandlodgeditinhisleftside.ThepersonwhocommittedthiswantonactwasdescribedasayoungmanwithaspeckorblemishonhislefteyeThathehadbeenlatelyamonguswasevidentfromhisbeingnewlyshaved.

Thewoundedmanimmediatelydrewbackand,joininghisparty,cried,"Iamadeadman".Whileonebrokeofftheendofthespear,theothertwosetoutwiththeirgunsinpursuitofthenatives;buttheirswiftnessoffootsoonconvincedourpeopleoftheimpossibilityofreachingthem.ItwasnowdeterminedtoattempttocarryMcEntirehome,ashisdeathwasapprehendedtobenear,andheexpressedalongingdesirenottobelefttoexpireinthewoods.Beinganuncommonlyrobustmuscularman,notwithstandingagreateffusionofblood,hewasable,withtheassistanceofhiscomrades,tocreepslowlyalong,andreachedSydneyabouttwoo"clockthenextmorning.

Onthewoundbeingexaminedbythesurgeons,itwaspronouncedmortal.

Thepoorwretchnowbegantoutterthemostdreadfulexclamations,andtoaccusehimselfofthecommissionofcrimesofthedeepestdye,accompaniedwithsuchexpressionsofhisdespairofGod"smercy,asaretooterribletorepeat.

Inthecourseoftheday,Colbee,andseveralmorenativescamein,andweretakentothebedwherethewoundedmanlay.Theirbehaviourindicatedthattheyhadalreadyheardoftheaccident,astheyrepeatedtwiceorthricethenameofthemurdererPimelwi,sayingthathelivedatBotanyBay.

Togainknowledgeoftheirtreatmentofsimilarwounds,oneofthesurgeonsmadesignsofextractingthespear,butthistheyviolentlyopposed,andsaid,ifitweredone,deathwouldinstantlyfollow.

Onthe12th,theextractionofthespearwas,however,judgedpracticable,andwasaccordinglyperformed.Thatpartofitwhichhadpenetratedthebodymeasuredseveninchesandahalflong,havingonitawoodenbarb,andseveralsmalleronesofstone,fastenedonwithyellowgum,mostofwhich,owingtotheforcenecessaryinextraction,weretornoffandlodgedinthepatient.Thespearhadpassedbetweentworibs,andhadwoundedtheleftlobeofthelungs.Helingered*untilthe20thofJanuary,andthenexpired.Onopeningthecorpse,itwasfoundthattheleftlunghadperishedfromsuppuration,itsremainsadheringtotheribs.Somepiecesofstone,whichhaddroppedfromthespearwereseen,butnobarbofwood.

[*Fromtheaversionuniformlyshownbyallthenativestothisunhappyman,hehadlongbeensuspectedbyusofhavinginhisexcursions,shotandinjuredthem.Togaininformationonthisheadfromhim,themomentofcontritionwasseized.Onbeingquestionedwithgreatseriousness,he,however,declaredthathehadneverfiredbutonceonanative,andthenhadnotkilled,butseverelywoundedhimandthisinhisowndefence.Notwithstandingthisdeath-bedconfession,mostpeopledoubtedthetruthoftherelation,fromhisgeneralcharacterandothercircumstances.]

ThegovernorwasatRose-hillwhenthisaccidenthappened.OnthedayafterhereturnedtoSydney,thefollowingorderwasissued:

Severaltribesofthenativesstillcontinuingtothrowspearsatanymantheymeetunarmed,bywhichseveralhavebeenkilled,ordangerouslywounded,thegovernor,inordertodeterthenativesfromsuchpracticesinfuture,hasorderedoutapartytosearchforthemanwhowoundedtheconvictMcEntire,insodangerousamanneronFridaylast,thoughnooffencewasofferedonhispart,inordertomakeasignalexampleofthattribe.Atthesametime,thegovernorstrictlyforbids,underpenaltyoftheseverestpunishment,anysoldierorotherperson,notexpresslyorderedoutforthatpurpose,evertofireonanynativeexceptinhisowndefence;ortomolesthiminanyshape,ortobringawayanyspears,orotherarticleswhichtheymayfindbelongingtothosepeople.Thenativeswillbemadesevereexamplesofwheneveranymaniswoundedbythem;

butthiswillbedoneinamannerwhichmaysatisfythemthatitisapunishmentinflictedonthemfortheirownbadconduct,andofwhichtheycannotbemadesensibleiftheyarenottreatedwithkindnesswhiletheycontinuepeaceableandquiet.

Aparty,consistingoftwocaptains,twosubalterns,andfortyprivates,withapropernumberofnon-commissionedofficersfromthegarrison,withthreedaysprovisions,etc.aretobereadytomarchto-morrowmorningatday-light,inordertobringinsixofthosenativeswhoresideneartheheadofBotanyBay;or,ifthatshouldbefoundimpracticable,toputthatnumbertodeath.

Justprevioustothisorderbeingissued,theauthorofthispublicationreceivedadirectiontoattendthegovernoratheadquartersimmediately.

Iwent,andhisexcellencyinformedmethathehadpitcheduponmetoexecutetheforegoingcommand.Headdedthatthetwosubalternswhoweretobedrawnfromthemarinecorps,shouldbechosenbymyself;thatthesergeantandthetwoconvictswhowerewithMcEntire,shouldattendasguides;

thatweweretoproceedtothepeninsulaattheheadofBotanyBay;andthence,orfromanypartofthenortharmofthebay,wewere,ifpracticable,tobringawaytwonativesasprisoners;andtoputtodeathten;thatweweretodestroyallweaponsofwarbutnothingelse;thatnohutwastobeburned;

thatallwomenandchildrenweretoremainuninjured,notbeingcomprehendedwithinthescopeoftheorder;thatouroperationsweretobedirectedeitherbysurpriseoropenforce;thatafterwehadmadeanyprisoners,allcommunication,evenwiththosenativeswithwhomwewereinhabitsofintercourse,wastobeavoided,andnoneofthemsufferedtoapproachus.

Thatweweretocutoffandbringintheheadsoftheslain;forwhichpurposehatchetsandbagswouldbefurnished.Andfinally,thatnosignalofamityorinvitationshouldbeusedinordertoallurethemtous;orifmadeontheirpart,tobeansweredbyus:forthatsuchconductwouldbenotonlypresenttreachery,butgivethemreasontodistrusteveryfuturemarkofpeaceandfriendshiponourpart.

Hisexcellencywasnowpleasedtoenterintothereasonswhichhadinducedhimtoadoptmeasuresofsuchseverity.Hesaidthatsinceourarrivalinthecountry,nolessthanseventeenofourpeoplehadeitherbeenkilledorwoundedbythenatives;thathelookeduponthetribeknownbythenameofBideegal,livingonthebeforementionedpeninsula,andchieflyonthenortharmofBotanyBay,tobetheprincipalaggressors;thatagainstthistribehewasdeterminedtostrikeadecisiveblow,inorder,atoncetoconvincethemofoursuperiorityandtoinfuseanuniversalterror,whichmightoperatetopreventfarthermischief.Thathisobservationsonthenativeshadledhimtoconcludethatalthoughtheydidnotfeardeathindividually,yetthattherelativeweightandimportanceofthedifferenttribesappearedtobethehighestobjectoftheirestimation,aseachtribedeemeditsstrengthandsecuritytoconsistwhollyinitspowers,aggregatelyconsidered.

Thathismotiveforhavingsolongdelayedtouseviolentmeasureshadarisenfrombelieving,thatineveryformerinstanceofhostility,theyhadactedeitherfromhavingreceivedinjury,orfrommisapprehension.

"Tothelatterofthesecauses,"addedhe,"Iattributemyownwound,butinthisbusinessofMcEntire,Iamfullypersuadedthattheywereunprovoked,andthebarbarityoftheirconductadmitsofnoextenuation;

forIhaveseparatelyexaminedthesergeant,ofwhoseveracityIhavethehighestopinion,andthetwoconvicts;andtheirstoryisshort,simple,andalike.IhaveinvaintriedtostimulateBaneelon,Colbee,andtheothernativeswholiveamongus,tobringintheaggressor.

Yesterday,indeed,theypromisedmetodoit,andactuallywentawayasifbentonsuchadesign;butBaneelon,insteadofdirectinghisstepstoBotanyBay,crossedtheharbourinhiscanoe,inordertodrawtheforeteethofsomeoftheyoungmen;andColbee,intheroomoffulfillinghisengagement,isloiteringaboutthelookouthouse.Nay,sofarfromwishingeventodescribefaithfullythepersonofthemanwhohasthrownthespear,theypretendedthathehasadistortedfoot,whichisapalpablefalsehood.

Sothatwehaveoureffortsonlytodependupon;andIamresolvedtoexecutetheprisonerswhomaybebroughtin,inthemostpublicandexemplarymanner,inthepresenceofasmanyoftheircountrymenascanbecollected,afterhavingexplainedthecauseofsuchapunishment;andmyfixeddeterminationtorepeatit,wheneveranyfuturebreachofgoodconductontheirsideshallrenderitnecessary."

Herethegovernorstopped,andaddressinghimselftome,saidifIcouldproposeanyalterationoftheordersunderwhichIwastoact,hewouldpatientlylistentome.Encouragedbythiscondescension,Ibeggedleavetoofferforconsiderationwhether,insteadofdestroyingtenpersons,thecaptureofsixwouldnotbetteranswerallthepurposesforwhichtheexpeditionwastobeundertaken;asoutofthisnumber,apartmightbesetasideforretaliation;andtherest,atapropertime,liberated,afterhavingseenthefateoftheircomradesandbeingmadesensibleofthecauseoftheirowndetention.

Thisscheme,hisExcellencywaspleasedinstantlytoadopt,adding,"ifsixcannotbetaken,letthisnumberbeshot.Shouldyou,however,finditpracticabletotakesomany,IwillhangtwoandsendtheresttoNorfolkIslandforacertainperiod,whichwillcausetheircountrymentobelievethatwehavedispatchedthemsecretly."Theorderwasaccordinglyalteredtoitspresentform;andItookmyleavetoprepare,afterbeingagaincautionednottodeceivebyholdingsignalsofamity.

Atfouro"clockonthemorningofthe14thwemarchedThedetachmentconsisted,besidesmyself,ofCaptainHilloftheNewSouthWalesCorps,LieutenantsPoulderandDawes,ofthemarines,Mr.WorganandMr.Lowes,surgeons,threesergeants,threecorporals,andfortyprivatesoldiers,providedwiththreedaysprovisions,ropestobindourprisonerswith,andhatchetsandbagstocutoffandcontaintheheadsoftheslain.

Bynineo"clockthisterrificprocessionreachedthepeninsulaattheheadofBotanyBay,butafterhavingwalkedinvariousdirectionsuntilfouro"clockintheafternoon,withoutseeinganative,wehaltedforthenight.

Atdaylightonthefollowingmorningoursearchrecommenced.Wemarchedinaneasterlydirection,intendingtofallinwiththesouth-westarmofthebay,aboutthreemilesaboveitsmouth,whichwedeterminedtoscour,andthencepassingalongtheheadofthepeninsula,toproceedtothenortharm,andcompleteourSearch.However,byamistakeofourguides,athalfpastseveno"clockinsteadoffindingourselvesonthesouth-westarm,wecamesuddenlyupontheseashore,attheheadofthepeninsula,aboutmidwaybetweenthetwoarms.HerewesawfiveIndiansonthebeach,whomweattemptedtosurround;buttheypenetratedourdesign,andbeforewecouldgetnearenoughtoeffectourpurpose,ranoff.Wepursued;

butacontestbetweenheavy-armedEuropeans,fetteredbyligatures,andnakedunencumberedIndians,wastoounequaltolastlong.Theydartedintothewoodanddisappeared.

Thealarmbeinggiven,weweresensiblethatnohopeofsuccessremained,butbyarapidmovementtoalittlevillage(iffivehutsdeservethename)

whichweknewstoodonthenearestpointofthenortharm,wherepossiblysomeoneunapprisedofourapproach,mightyetbefound.Thitherwehastened;

butbeforewecouldreachitthreecanoes,filledwithIndians,wereseenpaddlingoverintheutmosthurryandtrepidation,totheoppositeshore,whereuniversalalarmprevailed.Allwecouldnowdowastosearchthehutsforweaponsofwar:butwefoundnothingexceptfishgigs,whichweleftuntouched.

Onourreturntoourbaggage(whichwehadleftbehindunderasmallguardneartheplacewherethepursuithadbegun)weobservedanativefishinginshallowwaternothigherthanhiswaist,atthedistanceof300yardsfromtheland.Insuchasituationitwouldnothavebeeneasilypracticableeithertoshoot,orseizehim.Ithereforedeterminedtopasswithoutnoticinghim,asheseemedeitherfromconsciousnessofhisownsecurity,orfromsomeothercause,quiteunintimidatedatourappearance.Atlengthhecalledtoseveralofusbyname,andinspiteofourformidablearray,drewnearerwithunboundedconfidence.SurprisedathisbehaviourIorderedahalt,thathemightovertakeus,fullyresolved,whoeverhemightbe,thatheshouldbesufferedtocometousandleaveusuninjured.PresentlywefoundittobeourfriendColbee;andhejoinedusatoncewithhiswontedfamiliarityandunconcern.WeaskedhimwherePimelwiwas,andfoundthatheperfectlycomprehendedthenatureofourerrand,forhedescribedhimtohavefledtothesouthward;andtobeatsuchadistance,ashadweknowntheaccounttobetrue,wouldhavepreventedourgoinginsearchofhim,withoutafreshsupplyofprovisions.

Whenwearrivedatourbaggage,Colbeesatdown,ate,drank,andsleptwithus,fromteno"clockuntilpastnoon.WeaskedhimseveralquestionsaboutSydney,whichhehadleftontheprecedingday*;andhetoldushehadbeenpresentatanoperationperformedatthehospital,whereMr.Whitehadcutoffawoman"sleg.Theagonyandcriesofthepoorsuffererhedepictedinamostlivelymanner.

[*Hehaditseemsvisitedthegovernoraboutnoon,afterhavinggainedinformationfromNanbareeofourmarch,andforwhatpurposeitwasundertaken.

Thishedidnotscrupletotelltothegovernor;proclaimingatthesametime,aresolutionofgoingtoBotanyBay,whichhisexcellencyendeavouredtodissuadehimfrombyeveryargumenthecoulddevise:ablanket,ahatchet,ajacket,oraughtelsehewouldaskfor,wasofferedtohiminvain,ifhewouldnotgo.Atlastitwasdeterminedtotrytoeathimdown,bysettingbeforehimhisfavouritefood,ofwhichitwashopedhewouldfeedsovoraciously,astorenderhimincapableofexecutinghisintention.

Alargedishoffishwasaccordinglysetbeforehim.Butafterdevouringalighthorseman,andatleastfivepoundsofbeefandbread,evenuntilthesightoffoodbecamedisgustingtohim,hesetoutonhisjourneywithsuchlightnessandgaiety,asplainlyshewedhimtobeastrangertothehorrorsofindigestion.]

Atoneo"clockwerenewedourmarch,andatthreehaltednearafreshwaterswamp,whereweresolvedtoremainuntilmorning:thatis,afteradayofseverefatigue,topassanightofrestlessinquietude,whenwearinessisdeniedreposebyswarmsofmosquitoesandsandflies,whichinthesummermonthsbiteandstingthetraveller,withoutmeasureorintermission.

Nextmorningwebentourstepshomeward;and,afterwadingbreast-highthroughtwoarmsofthesea,asbroadastheThamesatWestminster,weregladtofindourselvesatSydney,betweenoneandtwoo"clockintheafternoon.

ThefewremarkswhichIwasabletomakeonthecountrythroughwhichwehadpassed,weresuchaswillnottemptadventurerstovisititonthescoreofpleasureoradvantage.Thesoilofeverypartofthepeninsula,whichwehadtraversed,isshallowandsandy,anditsproductionsmeagreandwretched.Whenforcedtoquitthesand,wewerecondemnedtodragthroughmorasses,ortoclamberoverrocks,unrefreshedbystreams,andunmarkedbydiversity.OfthesoilIbroughtawayseveralspecimens.

Ourfirstexpeditionhavingsototallyfailed,thegovernorresolvedtotrythefateofasecond;andthe"painfulpre-eminence"againdevolvedonme.

TheordersunderwhichIwascommandedtoactdifferinginnorespectfromthelast,Iresolvedtotryoncemoretosurprisethevillagebeforementioned.Andinordertodeceivethenatives,andpreventthemfromagainfrustratingourdesignbypromulgatingit,wefeignedthatourpreparationsweredirectedagainstBrokenBay;andthatthemanwhohadwoundedthegovernorwastheobjectofpunishment.Itwasnowalsodetermined,beingfullmoon,thatouroperationsshouldbecarriedoninthenight,bothforthesakeofsecrecy,andforavoidingtheextremeheatoftheday.

Alittlebeforesun-setontheeveningofthe22nd,wemarched.