第6章

LieutenantAbbot,andensignPrentice,oftheNewSouthWalescorps,werethetwoofficersundermycommand,andwiththreesergeants,threecorporals,andthirtyprivates,completedthedetachment.

WeproceededdirectlytothefordsofthenortharmofBotanyBay,whichwehadcrossedinourlastexpedition,onthebanksofwhichwewerecompelledtowaituntilaquarterpasttwointhemorning,fortheebbofthetide.Asthesepassing-placesconsistonlyofnarrowslipsofground,oneachsideofwhicharedangerousholes;andasfordingriversinthenightisatalltimesanunpleasanttask,Ideterminedbeforeweenteredthewater,todisburthenthemenasmuchaspossible;thatincaseofsteppingwrongeveryonemightbeasready,ascircumstanceswouldadmit,torecoverhimself.

Thefirelockandcartouche-boxwereallthatwecarried,thelattertiedfastonthetopofthehead,topreventitfrombeingwetted.Theknapsacks,etc.Ileftinchargeofasergeantandsixmen,whofromtheirlowstatureandothercauses,weremostlikelytoimpedeourmarch,thesuccessofwhichIknewhingedonourability,byarapidmovement,tosurprisethevillagebeforedaybreak.

Thetworiverswerecrossedwithoutanymaterialaccident:andinpursuitofmyresolution,Iorderedtheguidestoconductusbythenearestroute,withoutheedingdifficulty,orimpedimentofroad.Havingcontinuedtopushalongtheriver-bankverybrisklyforthreequartersofanhour,weweresuddenlystoppedbyacreek,aboutsixtyyardswide,whichextendedtoourright,andappeareddryfromthetidebeingout:Iaskedifitcouldbepassed,orwhetheritwouldbebettertowheelroundtheheadofit.

Ourguidesansweredthatitwasbadtocross,butmightbegotover,whichwouldsaveusmorethanaquarterofamile.Knowingthevalueoftime,Idirectlybadethemtopushthrough,andeveryonebegantofollowaswellashecould.Theywhowereforemosthadnot,however,gotabovehalfoverwhenthedifficultyofprogresswassensiblyexperienced.Wewereimmersed,nearlytothewaistinmud,sothickandtenacious,thatitwasnotwithoutthemostvigorousexertionofeverymuscleofthebody,thatthelegscouldbedisengaged.Whenwehadreachedthemiddle,ourdistressbecamenotonlymorepressing,butserious,andeachsucceedingstep,buriedusdeeper.Atlengthasergeantofgrenadiersstuckfast,anddeclaredhimselfincapableofmovingeitherforwardorbackward;andjustafter,EnsignPrenticeandIfeltourselvesinasimilarpredicament,closetogether.

"Ifinditimpossibletomove;Iamsinking;"resoundedoneveryside.

WhattodoIknewnot:everymomentbroughtincreaseofperplexity,andaugmenteddanger,asthosewhocouldnotproceedkeptgraduallysubsiding.

Fromourmisfortunes,however,thoseintherearprofited.Warnedbywhattheysawandheard,theyinclinedtotherighttowardstheheadofthecreek,andtherebycontrivedtopassover.

Ourdistresswouldhaveterminatedfatally,hadnotasoldiercriedouttothoseonshoretocutboughsoftrees*,andthrowthemtous——aluckythought,whichcertainlysavedmanyofusfromperishingmiserably;andevenwiththisassistance,hadwebeenburdenedbyourknapsacks,wecouldnothaveemerged;foritemployedusnearhalfanhourtodisentanglesomeofournumber.Thesergeantofgrenadiersinparticular,wassunktohisbreast-bone,andsofirmlyfixedinthattheeffortsofmanymenwererequiredtoextricatehim,whichwaseffectedinthemomentafterIhadorderedoneoftheropes,destinedtobindthecaptiveIndians,tobefastenedunderhisarms.

[*Ihadoftenreadofthiscontrivancetofacilitatethepassageofamorass.

ButIconfess,thatinmyconfusionIhadentirelyforgottenit,andprobablyshouldhavecontinuedtodosountiltoolatetobeofuse.]

Havingcongratulatedeachotheronourescapefromthis"SerbonianBog,"

andwipedourarms(halfofwhichwererenderedunserviceablebythemud)

weoncemorepushedforwardtoourobject,withinafewhundredyardsofwhichwefoundourselvesabouthalfanhourbeforesunrise.HereIformedthedetachmentintothreedivisions,andhavingenjoinedthemostperfectsilence,inorder,ifpossible,todeceiveIndianvigilance,eachdivisionwasdirectedtotakeadifferentroute,soastomeetatthevillageatthesamemoment.

Werushedrapidlyon,andnothingcouldsucceedmoreexactlythanthearrivaloftheseveraldetachments.Toourastonishment,however,wefoundnotasinglenativeatthehuts;norwasacanoetobeseenonanypartofthebay.Iwasatfirstinclinedtoattributethistoourarrivinghalfanhourtoolate,fromthenumberlessimpedimentswehadencountered.

Butoncloserexamination,thereappearedroomtobelieve,thatmanydayshadelapsedsinceanIndianhadbeenonthespot,asnomarkoffreshfires,orfishbones,wastobefound.

Disappointedandfatigued,wewouldwillinglyhaveprofitedbytheadvantageofbeingnearwater,andhavehaltedtorefresh.Butonconsultation,itwasfound,thatunlesswereachedinanhourtheriverswehadsolatelypassed,itwouldbeimpossible,onaccountofthetide,tocrosstoourbaggage,inwhichcaseweshouldbewithoutfooduntilevening.Wethereforepushedback,andbydintofalternatelyrunningandwalking,arrivedatthefords,timeenoughtopasswitheaseandsafety.Soexcessive,however,hadbeenourefforts,andsolaboriousourprogress,thatseveralofthesoldiers,inthecourseofthelasttwomiles,gaveup,andconfessedthemselvesunabletoproceedfarther.AllthatIcoulddoforthesepoorfellows,wastoordertheircomradestocarrytheirmuskets,andtoleavewiththemasmallpartyofthosemenwhowereleastexhausted,toassistthemandhurrythemon.Inthreequartersofanhourafterwehadcrossedthewater,theyarrivedatit,justtimeenoughtoeffectapassage.

Thenecessityofrepose,joinedtothesucceedingheatoftheday,inducedustoprolongourhaltuntilfouro"clockintheafternoon,whenwerecommencedouroperationsontheoppositesideofthenortharmtothatwehadacteduponinthemorning.Ourmarchendedatsunset,withoutourseeingasinglenative.WehadpassedthroughthecountrywhichthediscoverersofBotanyBayextolas"someofthefinestmeadowsintheworld*."Thesemeadows,insteadofgrass,arecoveredwithhighcoarserushes,growinginarottenspongybog,intowhichwewereplungedknee-deepateverystep.

[*ThewordswhicharequotedmaybefoundinMr.Cook"sfirstvoyage,andformpartofhisdescriptionofBotanyBay.Ithasoftenfallentomylottotraversethesefabledplains;andmanyabitterexecrationhaveIheardpouredonthosetravellers,whocouldsofaithlesslyrelatewhattheysaw.]

Ourfinaleffortwasmadeathalfpastoneo"clocknextmorning;andafterfourhourstoil,endedasthoseprecedingithaddone,indisappointmentandvexation.Atnineo"clockwereturnedtoSydney,toreportourfruitlessperegrination.

ButifwecouldnotretaliateonthemurdererofM"Entire,wefoundnodifficultyinpunishingoffencescommittedwithinourownobservation.

Twonatives,aboutthistime,weredetectedinrobbingapotatogarden.

Whenseen,theyranaway,andasergeantandapartyofsoldiersweredispatchedinpursuitofthem.Unluckilyitwasdarkwhentheyovertookthem,withsomewomenatafire;andtheardourofthesoldierstransportedthemsofarthat,insteadofcapturingtheoffenders,theyfiredinamongthem.

Thewomenweretaken,butthetwomenescaped.

Onthefollowingday,bloodwastracedfromthefireplacetothesea-side,whereitseemedprobablethatthosewhohadlostit,hadembarked.

Thenativeswereobservedtobecomeimmediatelyshy;butanexactknowledgeofthemischiefwhichhadbeencommitted,wasnotgaineduntiltheendoftwodays,whentheysaidthatamanofthenameofBangai(whowasknowntobeoneofthepilferers)waswoundedanddead.Imeerawanyee,however,whisperedthatthoughhewaswounded,hewasnotdead.Ahopenowexistedthathislifemightbesaved;andMr.White,takingImeerawanyee,Nanbaree,andawomanwithhim,setoutforthespotwherehewasreportedtobe.

Butontheirreachingit,theyweretoldbysomepeoplewhoweretherethatthemanwasdead,andthatthecorpsewasdepositedinabayaboutamileoff.Thithertheyaccordinglyrepaired,andfounditasdescribed,covered——exceptoneleg,whichseemedtobedesignedlyleftbare——withgreenboughsandafireburningnearit.Thosewhohadperformedthefuneralobsequiesseemedtohavebeenparticularlysolicitousfortheprotectionoftheface,whichwascoveredwithathickbranch,interwovenwithgrassandfernsoastoformacompletescreen.Aroundtheneckwasastripofthebarkofwhichtheymakefishinglines,andayoungstraitstickgrowingnearwasstrippedofitsbarkandbentdownsoastoformanarchoverthebody,inwhichpositionitwasconfinedbyaforkedbranchstuckintotheearth.

Onexaminingthecorpse,itwasfoundtobewarm.Throughtheshoulderhadpassedamusquetball,whichhaddividedthesubclavianarteryandcauseddeathbylossofblood.Nomarkofanyremedyhavingbeenappliedcouldbediscovered.Possiblythenatureofthewound,whichevenamonguswouldbafflecurewithoutamputationofthearmattheshoulder,wasdeemedsofatal,thattheydespairedofsuccess,andthereforeleftittoitself.

HadMr.Whitefoundthemanalive,thereislittleroomtothinkthathecouldhavebeenofanyusetohim;forthatanIndianwouldsubmittosoformidableandalarminganoperationseemshardlyprobable.

Noneofthenativeswhohadcomeintheboatwouldtouchthebody,orevengonearit,saying,themawnwouldcome;thatisliterally,"thespiritofthedeceasedwouldseizethem".Ofthepeoplewhodiedamongus,theyhadexpressednosuchapprehension.Buthowfarthedifferenceofanaturaldeath,andoneeffectedbyviolence,mayoperateontheirfearstoinducesuperstition;andwhythosewhohadperformedtheritesofsepultureshouldnotexperiencesimilarfearsandreluctance,Ileavetobedetermined.

Certainitis(asIshallinsistuponmorehereafter),thattheybelievethespiritofthedeadnottobeextinctwiththebody.

Baneelontookanoddmethodofrevengingthedeathofhiscountryman.

Attheheadofseveralofhistribe,herobbedoneoftheprivateboatsoffish,threateningthepeople,whowereunarmed,thatincasetheyresistedhewouldspearthem.Onbeingtaxedbythegovernorwiththisoutrage,heatfirststoutlydeniedit;butonbeingconfrontedwiththepeoplewhowereintheboat,hechangedhislanguage,and,withoutdeigningeventopalliatehisoffence,burstintofuryanddemandedwhohadkilledBangai.

CHAPTERXIII.

TheTransactionsoftheColonycontinuedtotheEndofMay,1791.

December,1790.TheDutchsnowfromBataviaarrivedonthe17thofthemonth,afterapassageoftwelveweeks,inwhichshehadlostsixteenofherpeople.

Butdeath,toamanwhohasresidedatBatavia,istoofamiliaranobjecttoexciteeitherterrororregret.Allthepeopleofthe"Supply"whowerelefttheresick,exceptonemidshipman,hadalsoperishedinthatfatalclimate.

Thecargoofthesnowconsistedchieflyofrice,withasmallquantityofbeef,pork,andflour.

Aletterwasreceivedbythisvessel,writtenbytheShebanderatBatavia,togovernorPhillip,acquaintinghimthatwarhadcommencedbetweenEnglandandSpain.AsthisletterwaswrittenintheDutchlanguagewedidnotfinditeasyoftranslation.Itfilledus,however,withanxiousperturbation,andwithwishesasimpotent,astheywereeager,inthecauseofourcountry.

Thoughfarbeyondthedinofarms,welongedtocontributetoherglory,andtoshareinhertriumphs.

Placedoutofthereachofattack,bothbyremotenessandinsignificancy,ouronlydreadlaylestthosesuppliesintendedforourconsumptionshouldbecaptured.Not,however,tobefoundtotallyunprovidedincaseanenemyshouldappear,abatterywasplannedneartheentranceofSydneyCove,andotherformidablepreparationssetonfoot.

Thecommencementoftheyear1791,thoughmarkedbynocircumstancesparticularlyfavourable,beamedfarlessinauspiciousthanthatof1790

haddone.

January,1791.Nocircumstance,howeverapparentlytrivial,whichcantendtothrowlightonanewcountry,eitherinrespectofitspresentsituation,oritsfuturepromise,shouldpassunregarded.Onthe24thofJanuary,twobunchesofgrapeswerecutinthegovernor"sgarden,fromcuttingsofvinesbroughtthreeyearsbeforefromtheCapeofGoodHope.Thebuncheswerehandsome,thefruitofamoderatesize,butwellfilledoutandtheflavourhighanddelicious.

ThefirststepafterunloadingtheDutchsnowwastodispatchthe"Supply"

toNorfolkIslandforcaptainHunter,andthecrewofthe"Sirius"whohadremainedthereeversincethelossofthatship.Ithadalwaysbeenthegovernor"swishtohiretheDutchman,forthepurposeoftransportingthemtoEngland.Butthefranticextravagantbehaviourofthemasterofher,foralongtimefrustratedtheconclusionofacontract.Hewassototallylosttoasenseofreasonandpropriety,astoaskelevenpoundsperton,monthly,forheruse,untilsheshouldarrivefromEngland,atBatavia.

Thiswastreatedwithpropercontempt;andhewasatlastinducedtoaccepttwentyshillingsaton,permonth(ratingheratthreehundredtons)

untilsheshouldarriveinEngland——beingaboutthetwenty-fifthpartofhisoriginaldemand.Andevenatthispriceshewas,perhaps,thedearestvesseleverhiredonasimilarservice,beingtotallydestituteofeveryaccommodationandeverygoodqualitywhichcouldpromisetorendersolongavoyageeithercomfortableorexpeditious.

February,1791.Onthe26th,CaptainHunter,hisofficersandship"scompanyjoinedus;andonthe28thofMarchthesnowsailedwiththemforEngland,intendingtomakeanorthernpassagebyTimorandBatavia,theseasonbeingtoofaradvancedtorenderthesouthernroutebyCapeHornpracticable*.

[*TheydidnotarriveinEnglanduntilApril,1792.]

SixdaysprevioustothedepartureofcaptainHunter,theindefatigable"Supply"

againsailedforNorfolkIsland,carryingthithercaptainHillandadetachmentoftheNewSouthWalescorps.AlittlenativeboynamedBondel,whohadlongparticularlyattachedhimselftocaptainHill,accompaniedhim,athisownearnestrequest.Hisfatherhadbeenkilledinbattleandhismotherbittenintwobyashark:sothathewasanorphan,dependantonthehumanityofhistribeforprotection*.Hisdisappearanceseemedtomakenoimpressionontherestofhiscountrymen,whowereapprizedofhisresolutiontogo.

Onthereturnofthe"Supply"theyinquiredeagerlyforhim,andonbeingtoldthattheplacehewasgonetoaffordedplentyofbirdsandothergoodfare,innumerablevolunteerspresentedthemselvestofollowhim,sogreatwastheirconfidenceinusandsolittleholdofthemhadtheamorpatriae.

[*Iamofopinionthatsuchprotectionisalwaysextendedtochildrenwhomaybeleftdestitute.]

March,1791.Thesnowhadbutjustsailed,whenaverydaringmanoeuvrewascarriedintoexecution,withcompletesuccess,byasetofconvicts,eleveninnumber,includingawoman,wifeofoneoftheparty,andtwolittlechildren.Theyseizedthegovernor"scutterandputtingintoheraseine,fishing-lines,andhooks,firearms,aquadrant,compass,andsomeprovisions,boldlypushedouttosea,determinedtobraveeverydangerandcombateveryhardship,ratherthanremainlongerinacaptivestate.Mostofthesepeoplehadbeenbroughtoutinthefirstfleet,andthetermsoftransportationofsomeofthemwereexpired.Amongthemwereafisherman,acarpenter,andsomecompetentnavigators,sothatlittledoubtwasentertainedthataschemesoadmirablyplannedwouldbeadequatelyexecuted*.Whentheirelopementwasdiscovered,apursuitwasorderedbythegovernor.Butthefugitiveshadmadetoogoodanuseoftheintermediatetimetobeevenseenbytheirpursuers.AftertheescapeofCaptainBligh,whichwaswellknowntous,nolengthofpassageorhazardofnavigationseemedabovehumanaccomplishment.Howevertopreventfutureattemptsofalikenature,thegovernordirectedthatboatsonlyofstateddimensionsshouldbebuilt.Indeedanorderofthissorthadbeenissuedontheescapeofthefirstparty,anditwasnowrepeatedwithadditionalrestrictions.

[*Itwasmyfatetofallinagainwithpartofthislittlebandofadventurers.

InMarch1792,whenIarrivedintheGorgon,attheCapeofGoodHope,sixofthesepeople,includingthewomanandonechild,wereputonboardofustobecarriedtoEngland.fourhaddied,andonehadjumpedoverboardatBatavia.Theparticularsoftheirvoyagewerebrieflyasfollows.

TheycoastedtheshoreofNewHolland,puttingoccasionallyintodifferentharbourswhichtheyfoundingoingalong.Oneoftheseharbours,inthelatitudeof30degreessouth,theydescribedtobeofsuperiorexcellenceandcapacity.Heretheyhauledtheirbarkashore,paidherseamswithtallow,andrepairedher.ButitwaswithdifficultytheycouldkeepofftheattacksoftheIndians.Thesepeoplecontinuedtoharrasthemsomuchthattheyquittedthemainlandandretreatedtoasmallislandintheharbour,wheretheycompletedtheirdesign.Betweenthelatitudeof26degreesand27degrees,theyweredrivenbyacurrent30leaguesfromtheshore,amongsomeislands,wheretheyfoundplentyoflargeturtles.Soonaftertheyclosedagainwiththecontinent,whentheboatgotentangledinthesurfandwasdrivenonshore,andtheyhadallwellnighperished.TheypassedroughthestraitsofEndeavourand,beyondthegulfofCarpentaria,foundalargefreshwaterriver,whichtheyentered,andfilledfromittheiremptycasks.

UntiltheyreachedthegulfofCarpentaria,theysawnonativesorcanoesdifferingfromthoseaboutPortJackson.Butnowtheywerechasedbylargecanoes,jittedwithsailsandfightingstages,andcapableofholdingthirtymeneach.Theyescapedbydintofrowingtowindward.Onthe5thofJune1791theyreachedTimor,andpretendedthattheyhadbelongedtoashipwhich,onherpassagefromPortJacksontoIndia,hadfoundered;

andthattheyonlyhadescaped.TheDutchreceivedthemwithkindnessandtreatedthemwithhospitality.Buttheirbehaviourgivingrisetosuspicion,theywerewatched;andoneofthematlast,inamomentofintoxication,betrayedthesecret.Theywereimmediatelysecuredandcommittedtoprison.SoonafterCaptainEdwardsofthePandora,whohadbeenwreckednearEndeavourstraits,arrivedatTimor,andtheyweredelivereduptohim,bywhichmeanstheybecamepassengersintheGorgon.

IconfessthatIneverlookedatthesepeoplewithoutpityandastonishment.

Theyhadmiscarriedinaheroicstruggleforlibertyafterhavingcombatedeveryhardshipandconqueredeverydifficulty.

Thewoman,andoneofthemen,hadgoneouttoPortJacksonintheshipwhichhadtransportedmethither.Theyhadbothofthembeenalwaysdistinguishedforgoodbehaviour.AndIcouldnotbutreflectwithadmirationatthestrangecombinationofcircumstanceswhichhadagainbroughtustogether,tobafflehumanforesightandconfoundhumanspeculation.]

April,1791.NotwithstandingthesupplieswhichhadrecentlyarrivedfromBatavia,shortallowancewasagainproclaimedonthe2ndofApril,onwhichdaywewerereducedtothefollowingration:

Threepoundsofrice,threepoundsofflourandthreepoundsofporkperweek.

Itwassingularlyunfortunatethattheseretrenchmentsshouldalwayshappenwhenthegardensweremostdestituteofvegetables.Alongdroughthadnearlyexhaustedthem.Thehardshipswhichweinconsequencesufferedweregreat,butnotcomparabletowhathadbeenformerlyexperienced.Besides,nowwemadesureofshipsarrivingsoontodispelourdistress.Whereas,heretofore,fromhavingneverheardfromEngland,theheartsofmensunkandmanyhadbeguntodoubtwhetherithadnotbeenresolvedtotryhowlongmiserymightbeenduredwithresignation.

Notwithstandingtheincompetencyofsodiminishedapittance,thedailytaskofthesoldierandconvictcontinuedunaltered.Inevercontemplatedthelaboursofthesemenwithoutfindingabundantcauseofreflectiononthemiserieswhichournaturecanovercome.Letmeforamomentquitthecoldtrackofnarrative.Letmenotfritterawaybyservileadaptationthosereflectionsandthefeelingstheygavebirthto.Letmetranscribethemfreshastheyarose,ardentandgenerous,thoughhopelessandromantic.

Ieverydayseewretchespalewithdiseaseandwastedwithfamine,struggleagainstthehorror"softheirsituation.Howstrikingistheeffectofsubordination;howdreadfulisthefearofpunishment!Theallottedtaskisstillperformed,evenonthepresentreducedsubsistence.Theblacksmithsweatsatthesultryforge,thesawyerlabourspent-upinhispitandthehusbandmanturnsupthesterileglebe.ShallIagainhearargumentsmultipliedtoviolatetruth,andinsulthumanity!ShallIagainbetoldthatthesufferingsofthewretchedAfricansareindispensableforthecultureofoursugarcolonies;thatwhitemenareincapableofsustainingtheheatoftheclimate!IhavebeenintheWestIndies.Ihavelivedthere.

Iknowthatitisarareinstanceforthemercuryinthethermometertomountthereabove90degrees;andhereIscarcelypassaweekinsummerwithoutseeingitriseto100degrees;sometimesto105;nay,beyondeventhatburningaltitude.

Buttoilcannotbelongsupportedwithoutadequaterefreshment.Thefirststepineverycommunitywhichwishestopreservehonestyshouldbetosetthepeopleabovewant.Thethroesofhungerwilleverprovetoopowerfulforintegritytowithstand.Hencearosearepetitionofpettydelinquencies,whichnovigilancecoulddetect,andnojusticereach.Gardenswereplundered,provisionspilfered,andtheIndiancornstolenfromthefieldswhereitgrewforpublicuse.Variouswerethemeasuresadoptedtocheckthisdepredatoryspirit.Criminalcourts,eitherfromthetediousnessoftheirprocess,orfromthefrequentescapeofculpritsfromtheirdecision,wereseldomerconvenedthanformerly.Thegovernororderedconvictoffenderseithertobechainedtogetherortowearsinglyalargeironcollarwithtwospikesprojectingfromit,whicheffectuallyhinderedthepartyfromconcealingitunderhisshirt;andthusshackled,theywerecompelledtoperformtheirquotaofwork.

May,1791.Hadtheirmaraudingcareerterminatedhere,humanitywouldhavebeenanxioustopleadintheirdefence;butthenativescontinuedtocomplainofbeingrobbedofspearsandfishingtackle.Aconvictwasatlengthtakeninthefactofstealingfishing-tacklefromDaringa,thewifeofColbee.

Thegovernororderedthatheshouldbeseverelyfloggedinthepresenceofasmanynativesascouldbeassembled,towhomthecauseofpunishmentshouldbeexplained.Manyofthem,ofbothsexes,accordinglyattended.

Arabanoo"saversiontoasimilarsighthasbeennoticed;andifthebehaviourofthosenowcollectedbefoundtocorrespondwithit,itis,Ithink,fairtoconcludethatthesepeoplearenotofasanguinaryandimplacabletemper.Quickindeedofresentment,butnotunforgivingofinjury.

Therewasnotoneofthemthatdidnottestifystrongabhorrenceofthepunishmentandequalsympathywiththesufferer.Thewomenwereparticularlyaffected;Daringashedtears,andBarangaroo,kindlingintoanger,snatchedastickandmenacedtheexecutioner.Theconductofthesewomen,onthisoccasion,wasexactlydescriptiveoftheircharacters.

Theformerwasevermeekandfeminine,thelatterfierceandunsubmissive.

OnthefirstofMay,manyallotmentsofgroundwereparcelledoutbythegovernortoconvictswhoseperiodsoftransportationwereexpired,andwhovoluntarilyofferedtobecomesettlersinthecountry.Thetermsonwhichtheysettled,andtheirprogressinagriculture,willbehereaftersetforth.

CHAPTERXIV.

TravellingDiariesinNewSouthWales.

Fromamongmynumeroustravellingjournalsintotheinteriorpartsofthecountry,Iselectthefollowingtopresenttothereader,asequallyimportantintheirobject,andmoreamusingintheirdetail,thananyother.

InApril1791anexpeditionwasundertaken,inordertoascertainwhetherornottheHawkesburyandtheNepean,werethesameriver.

Withthisview,weproposedtofallinalittleaboveRichmondHill*,andtracedowntoit;andiftheweathershouldprovefinetocrossattheford,andgoashortdistancewestward,thentorepasstheriverandtraceitupwarduntilweshouldeitherarriveatsomespotwhichweknewtobetheNepean,orshoulddeterminebyitscoursethattheHawkesburywasadifferentstream.

[*Lookatthemapforthesituationofthisplace(Unfortunately,thereisnomapaccompanyingthisetext.Ed.)]

Ourpartywasstrongandnumerous.Itconsistedoftwenty-onepersons,viz.thegovernor,Mr.Collinsandhisservant,Mr.White,Mr.Dawes,theauthor,threegamekeepers,twosergeants,eightprivates,andourfriendsColbeeandBoladeree.Thesetwolastwerevolunteersontheoccasion,onbeingassuredthatweshouldnotstayoutmanydaysandthatweshouldcarryplentyofprovisions.Baneelonwishedtogo,buthiswifewouldnotpermitit.Colbeeontheotherhand,wouldlistentonoobjections.

Heonlystipulated(withgreatcareandconsideration)that,duringhisabsence,hiswifeandchildshouldremainatSydneyunderourprotection,andbesuppliedwithprovisions.

Butbeforewesetout,letmedescribeourequipment,andtrytoconveytothosewhohaverolledalongonturnpikeroadsonly,anaccountofthosepreparationswhicharerequiredintraversingthewilderness.Everyman(thegovernorexcepted)carriedhisownknapsack,whichcontainedprovisionsfortendays.Iftothisbeaddedagun,ablanket,andacanteen,theweightwillfallnothingshortoffortypounds.Slungtotheknapsackarethecookingkettleandthehatchet,withwhichthewoodtokindlethenightlyfireandbuildthenightlyhutistobecutdown.Garbedtodragthroughmorasses,tearthroughthickets,fordriversandscalerocks,ourautumnalheroes,whoannuallyseekthehillsinpursuitofgrouseandblackgame,affordbutanimperfectrepresentationofthepicture.

Thusencumbered,themarchbeginsatsunrise,andwithoccasionalhaltscontinuesuntilaboutanhourandahalfbeforesunset.Itisnecessarytostopthusearlytoprepareforpassingthenight,fortoilhereendsnotwiththemarch.Insteadofthecheeringblaze,thewelcominglandlord,andthelongbilloffare,thetravellerhasnowtocollecthisfuel,toerecthiswigwam,tofetchwater,andtobroilhismorselofsaltpork.

Lethimthenliedown,andifitbesummer,trywhethertheeffectoffatigueissufficientlypowerfultoovercomethebitesandstingsofthemyriadsofsandfliesandmosquitoeswhichbuzzaroundhim.

Monday,April11,1791.Attwentyminutesbeforeseveno"clock,westartedfromthegovernor"shouseatRoseHillandsteered*forashorttimenearlyinanorth-eastdirection,afterwhichweturnedtonorth34degreeswest,andsteadilypursuedthatcourseuntilaquarterbeforefouro"clock,whenwehaltedforthenight.Thecountryforthefirsttwomiles,whilewewalkedtothenortheast,wasgood,fullofgrassandwithoutrockorunderwood.

Afterwardsitgrewverybad,beingfullofsteep,barrenrocks,overwhichwewerecompelledtoclamberforsevenmiles,whenitchangedtoaplaincountryapparentlyverysterile,andwithverylittlegrassinit,whichrenderedwalkingeasy.Ourfatigueinthemorninghad,however,beensooppressivethatoneofthepartyknockedup.Andhadnotasoldier,asstrongasapack-horse,undertakentocarryhisknapsackinadditiontohisown,wemusteitherhavesenthimback,orhavestoppedataplaceforthenightwhichdidnotaffordwater.Ourtwonativescarriedeachhispack,butitsweightwasinconsiderable,mostoftheirprovisionsbeingintheknapsacksofthesoldiersandgamekeepers.Weexpectedtohavederivedfromthemmuchinformationrelatingtothecountry,asnoonedoubtedthattheywereacquaintedwitheverypartofitbetweentheseacoastandtheriverHawkesbury.Wehopedalsotohavewitnessedtheirmanneroflivinginthewoods,andtheresourcestheyrelyuponintheirjourneys.

Nothing,however,ofthissorthadyetoccurred,excepttheirexaminingsometreestoseeiftheycoulddiscoveronthebarkanymarksoftheclawsofsquirrelsandopossums,whichtheysaidwouldshowwhetheranyofthoseanimalswerehiddenamongtheleavesandbranches.Theywalkedstoutly,appearedbutlittlefatigued,andmaintainedtheirspiritsadmirably,laughingtoexcesswhenanyofuseithertrippedorstumbled,misfortuneswhichmuchseldomerfelltotheirlotthantoours.

[*Ourmethod,ontheseexpeditions,wastosteerbycompass,notingthedifferentcoursesasweproceeded;andcountingthenumberofpaces,ofwhichtwothousandtwohundred,ongoodground,wereallowedtobeamile.

Atnightwhenwehalted,allthesecourseswereseparatelycastup,andworkedbyatraversetable,inthemanneraship"sreckoningiskept,sothatbyobservingthisprecaution,wealwaysknewexactlywherewewere,andhowfarfromhome;anunspeakableadvantageinanewcountry,whereonehill,andonetree,issolikeanotherthatfatalwanderingswouldensuewithoutit.ThisarduoustaskwasalwaysallottedtoMr.Daweswho,fromhabitandsuperiorskill,performeditalmostwithoutastop,oraninterruptionofconversation:toanyotherman,onsuchterms,itwouldhavebeenimpracticable.]

AtaveryshortdistancefromRoseHill,wefoundthattheywereinacountryunknowntothem,sothatthefarthertheywentthemoredependentonustheybecame,beingabsolutestrangersinland.Toconveytotheirunderstandingstheintentionofourjourneywasimpossible.For,perhaps,nowordscouldunfoldtoanIndianthemotivesofcuriositywhichinducementoencounterlabour,fatigueandpain,whentheymightremaininreposeathome,withasufficiencyoffood.WeaskedColbeethenameofthepeoplewholiveinland,andhecalledthemBoorooberongal;andsaidtheywerebad,whenceweconjecturedthattheysometimeswarwiththoseontheseacoast,bywhomtheywereundoubtedlydrivenupthecountryfromthefishingground,thatitmightnotbeoverstocked;theweakerhere,asineveryothercountry,givingwaytothestronger.

Weaskedhowtheylived.Hesaid,onbirdsandanimals,havingnofish.

Theirlazinessappearedstronglywhenwehalted,fortheyrefusedtodrawwaterortocleavewoodtomakeafire;butassoonasitwaskindled(havingfirstwellstuffedthemselves),theylaydownbeforeitandfellasleep.Aboutanhouraftersunset,aswewerechattingbythefiresideandpreparingtogotorest,weheardvoicesatalittledistanceinthewood.

Ournativescaughtthesoundinstantaneouslyand,biddingusbesilent,listenedattentivelytothequarterwhenceithadproceeded.Inafewminutesweheardthevoicesplainly;and,wishingexceedinglytoopenacommunicationwiththistribe,webeggedournativestocalltothem,andbidthemtocometous,toassurethemofgoodtreatment,andthattheyshouldhavesomethinggiventhemtoeat.Colbeenolongerhesitated,butgavethemthesignalofinvitation,inaloudhollowcry.Aftersomewhoopingandshoutingonbothsides,amanwithalightedstickinhishandadvancednearenoughtoconversewithus.Thefirstwordswhichwecoulddistinctlyunderstandwere,"IamColbee,ofthetribeofCadigal."Thestrangerreplied,"IamBereewan,ofthetribeofBoorooberongal."Boladereeinformedhimalsoofhisnameandthatwewerewhitemenandfriends,whowouldgivehimsomethingtoeat.Stillheseemedirresolute.Colbeethereforeadvancedtohim,tookhimbythehandandledhimtous.Bythelightofthemoon,wewereintroducedtothisgentleman,allournamesbeingrepeatedinformbyourtwomastersoftheceremonies,whosaidthatwewereEnglishmenand"budyeeree"(good),thatwecamefromtheseacoast,andthatweweretravellinginland.

Bereewanseemedtobeamanaboutthirtyyearsold,differinginnorespectfromhiscountrymenwithwhomwewereacquainted.Hecametousunarmed,havinglefthisspearsatalittledistance.Afteralongconversationwithhiscountrymen,andhavingreceivedsomeprovisions,hedepartedhighlysatisfied.

Tuesday,April12th,1791.Startedthismorningathalfpastsixo"clock,andintwohoursreachedtheriver.Thewholeofthecountrywepassedwaspoor,andthesoilwithinamileoftheriverchangedtoacoarsedeepsand,whichIhaveinvariablyfoundtocomposeitsbanksineverypartwithoutexceptionthatIeversaw.Thestreamatthisplaceisabout350feetwide;thewaterpureandexcellenttothetaste.Thebanksareabouttwentyfeethighandcoveredwithtrees,manyofwhichhadbeenevidentlybentbytheforceofthecurrentinthedirectionwhichitruns,andsomeofthemcontainedrubbishanddriftwoodintheirbranchesatleastforty-fivefeetabovethelevelofthestream.Wesawmanyducks,andkilledone,whichColbeeswamfor.Nonewproductionamongtheshrubsgrowingherewasfound.wewereacquaintedwiththemall.Ournativeshadevidentlyneverseenthisriverbefore.Theystaredatitwithsurprise,andtalkedtoeachother.Theirtotalignoranceofthecountry,andofthedirectioninwhichtheyhadwalked,appearedwhentheywereaskedwhichwayRoseHilllay;fortheypointedalmostoppositelytoit.

Ofourcompasstheyhadtakenearlynotice,andhadtalkedmuchtoeachotheraboutit.Theycomprehendeditsuse,andcalledit"naamoro,"literally,"toseetheway";amoresignificantorexpressivetermcannotbefound.

SupposingourselvestobehigheronthestreamthanRichmondHill,weagreedtotracedownward,ortotherighthand.Intracing,wekeptasclosetothebankoftheriverastheinnumerableimpedimentstowalkingwhichgrowuponitwouldallow.Wefoundthecountrylowandswampy;cametoanativefireplace,atwhichweresomesmallfish-bones;soonafterwesawanative,butheranawayimmediately.Havingwalkednearlythreemileswewerestoppedbyacreekwhichwecouldneitherford,orfallatreeacross.Wewerethereforeobligedtocoastit,inhopetofindapassingplaceortoreachitshead.Atfouro"clockwehaltedforthenightonthebankofthecreek.

Ournativescontinuedtoholdoutstoutly.Thehindrancestowalkingbytheriversidewhichplaguedandentangledussomuch,seemednottobeheededbythem,andtheywoundthroughthemwithcase;buttoustheywereintolerablytiresome.Ourperplexitiesaffordedthemaninexhaustiblefundofmerrimentandderision:Didthesufferer,stungatoncewithnettlesandridicule,andshakennightodeathbyhisfall,useanyangryexpressiontothem,theyretortedinamoment,bycallinghimbyeveryopprobriousname*

whichtheirlanguageaffords.

Boladereedestroyedanativehuttodayverywantonlybeforewecouldpreventhim.Onbeingaskedwhyhedidso,heansweredthattheinhabitantsinlandwerebad;thoughnolongersincethanlastnight,whenBereewanhaddeparted,theywereloudintheirpraise.Butnowtheyhadrevertedtotheirfirstopinion;sofickleandtransientaretheirmotivesofloveandhatred.

[*Theirgeneralfavouritetermofreproachis"goninpatta",whichsignifies"aneaterofhumanexcrement".Ourlanguagewouldadmitaveryconciseandfamiliartranslation.Theyhave,besidesthis,innumerableotherswhichtheyoftensalutetheirenemieswith.]

Wednesday,April13th,1791.Wedidnotsetoutthismorninguntilpastseveno"clock,whenwecontinuedtotracethecreek.Thecountrywhichwepassedthroughyesterdaywasgoodanddesirabletowhatwasnowpresentedtous.Itwasingeneralhighanduniversallyrocky."Toilingouruncouthway",wemountedahill,andsurveyedthecontiguouscountry.

Tothenorthwardandeastward,thegroundwasstillhigherthanthatwewereupon;butinasouth-westdirectionwesawaboutfourmiles.

Theviewconsistedofnothingbuttreesgrowingonprecipices;notanacreofitcouldbecultivated.Sawatreeonfirehere,andseveralothervestigesofthenatives.TocomprehendthereasonswhichinduceanIndiantoperformmanyoftheofficesoflifeisdifficult;topronouncethatwhichcouldleadhimtowanderamidstthesedrearywildsbafflespenetration.

Abouttwoo"clockwereachedtheheadofthecreek,passeditandscrambledwithinfinitetoilanddifficultytothetopofaneighbouringmountain,whencewesawtheadjacentcountryinalmosteverydirection,formanymiles.

Irecordwithregretthatthisextendedviewpresentednotasinglegleamofchangewhichcouldencouragehopeorstimulateindustry,toattemptitsculture.Wehad,however,thesatisfactiontodiscoverplainlytheobjectofourpursuit,RichmondHill,distantabouteightmiles,inacontrarydirectionfromwhatwehadbeenproceedingupon.ItwasreadilyknowntothosewhohadbeenuptheHawkesburyintheboats,byaremarkablecleftornotchwhichdistinguishesit.Itwasnowdeterminedthatweshouldgobacktotheheadofthecreekandpassthenightthere;andinthemorningcutacrossthecountrytothatpartoftheriverwhichwehadfirsthituponyesterday,andthencetotraceupward,ortotheleft.ButbeforeIdescend,Imustnotforgettorelatethattothispileofdesolationonwhich,likethefallenangelonthetopofNiphates,westoodcontemplatingournetherEden,HisExcellencywaspleasedtogivethenameofTench"sProspectMount.

Ourfatigueto-dayhadbeenexcessive;butourtwosablecompanionsseemedratherenlivenedthanexhaustedbyit.Wehadnosoonerhaltedandgiventhemsomethingtoeatthantheybegantoplaytenthousandtricksandgambols.

Theyimitatedtheleapingofthekangaroo;sang,danced,poisedthespearandmetinmockencounter.Buttheirprincipalsourceofmerrimentwasagainderivedfromourmisfortunes,intumblingamidstnettles,andslidingdownprecipices,whichtheymimickedwithinimitabledrollery.Theyhadbecome,however,veryurgentintheirinquiriesaboutthetimeofourreturn,ndwepacifiedthemaswellaswecouldbysayingitwouldbesoon,butavoidednaminghowmanydays.

Theirmethodoftestifyingdisliketoanyplaceissingular:theypointtothespottheyareupon,andallaroundit,crying"weeree,weeree"(bad)

andimmediatelyaftermentionthenameofanyotherplacetowhichtheyareattached(RoseHillorSydneyforinstance),addingtoit"budyeree,budyeree"(good).Norwastheirpreferenceinthepresentcasetheresultofcaprice,fortheyassignedverysubstantialreasonsforsuchpredilection:"AtRoseHill,"saidthey,"arepotatoes,cabbages,pumpkins,turnips,fishandwine;herearenothingbutrocksandwater."

Thesecomparisonsconstantlyendedwiththequestionof"Where"sRoseHill?

Where?"onwhichtheywouldthrowuptheirhandsandutterasoundtodenotedistance,whichitisimpossibletoconveyanideaofuponpaper.

Thursday,April14th,1791.Westartedearlyandreachedtheriverinabouttwohoursandahalf.Theintermediatecountry,exceptforthelasthalfmile,wasacontinuedbedofstones,whichwereinsomeplacessothickandclosetogetherthattheylookedlikeapavementformedbyart.Whenwegotoffthestones,wecameuponthecoarseriversandbeforementioned.

Herewebegantotraceupward.Wehadnotproceededfarwhenwesawseveralcanoesontheriver.Ournativesmadeusimmediatelyliedownamongthereeds,whiletheygavetheircountrymenthesignalofapproach.

Aftermuchcalling,findingthattheydidnotcome,wecontinuedourprogressuntilitwasagaininterruptedbyacreek,overwhichwethrewatreeandpasseduponit.Whilethiswasdoing,anative,fromhiscanoe,enteredintoconversationwithus,andimmediatelyafterpaddledtouswithafranknessandconfidencewhichsurprisedeveryone.Hewasamanofmiddleage,withanopencheerfulcountenance,markedwiththesmallpox,anddistinguishedbyanoseofuncommonmagnitudeanddignity.Heseemedtobeneitherastonishedorterrifiedatourappearanceandnumber.