Hatchetsstillcontinuedtobecalledforwithredoubledeagerness,whichrathersurprisedus,asformerlytheyhadalwaysbeenacceptedwithindifference.ButBaneelonhadprobablydemonstratedtothemtheirsuperiorityoverthoseoftheirownmanufacturing.Toappeasetheirimportunity,thegovernorgavethemaknife,somebread,pork,andotherarticles,andpromisedthatintwodayshewouldreturnhither,andbringwithhimhatchetstobedistributedamongthem,whichappearedtodiffusegeneralsatisfaction.
Baneelon\'sloveofwinehasbeenmentioned;andthegovernor,totrywhetheritstillsubsisted,uncorkedabottle,andpouredoutaglassofit,whichtheotherdrankoffwithhisformermarksofrelishandgoodhumour,givingforatoast,ashehadbeentaught,\"TheKing.\"
Ourpartynowadvancedfromthebeachbut,perceivingmanyoftheIndiansfilingofftotherightandleft,soasinsomemeasuretosurroundthem,theyretreatedgentlytotheiroldsituation,whichproducedneitheralarmoroffence.Theothersbydegreesalsoresumedtheirformerposition.
Averyfinebarbedspearofuncommonsizebeingseenbythegovernor,heaskedforit.ButBaneelon,insteadofcomplyingwiththerequest,tookitaway,andlaiditatsomedistance,andbroughtbackathrowing-stick,whichhepresentedtohisexcellency.
Mattershadproceededinthisfriendlytrainformorethanhalfanhour,whenanative,withaspearinhishand,cameforward,andstoppedatthedistanceofbetweentwentyandthirtyyardsfromtheplacewherethegovernor,Mr.Collins,LieutenantWaterhouse,andaseamanstood.
Hisexcellencyheldouthishand,andcalledtohim,advancingtowardshimatthesametime,Mr.Collinsfollowingclosebehind.Heappearedtobeamanofmiddleage,shortofstature,sturdy,andwellset,seeminglyastranger,andbutlittleacquaintedwithBaneelonandColbee.Thenearerthegovernorapproached,thegreaterbecametheterrorandagitationoftheIndian.Toremovehisfear,governorPhillipthrewdownadirk,whichheworeathisside.Theother,alarmedattherattleofthedirk,andprobablymisconstruingtheaction,instantlyfixedhislanceinhisthrowing-stick*.
[*Suchpreparationisequaltowhatcockingagun,anddirectingitatitsobject,wouldbewithus.Tolaunchthespear,ortotouchthetrigger,onlyremains.]
Toretreat,hisexcellencynowthoughtwouldbemoredangerousthantoadvance.
Hethereforecriedouttotheman,Weeeree,Weeree,(bad;youaredoingwrong)
displayingatthesametime,everytokenofamityandconfidence.
Thewordshad,however,hardlygoneforth,whentheIndian,steppingbackwithonefoot,aimedhislancewithsuchforceanddexterity,thatstriking*
thegovernor\'srightshoulder,justabovethecollar-bone,thepointglancingdownward,cameoutathisback,havingmadeawoundofmanyincheslong.Themanwasobservedtokeephiseyesteadilyfixedonthelanceuntilitstruckitsobject,whenhedirectlydashedintothewoodsandwasseennomore.
[*Hisexcellencydescribedtheshocktomeassimilartoaviolentblow,withsuchenergywastheweaponthrown.]
Instantconfusiononbothsidestookplace.BaneelonandColbeedisappearedandseveralspearswerethrownfromdifferentquarters,thoughwithouteffect.
Ourpartyretreatedasfastastheycould,callingtothosewhowereleftintheboat,tohastenupwithfirearms.Asituationmoredistressingthanthatofthegovernor,duringthetimethatthislasted,cannotreadilybeconceived:thepoleofthespear,notlessthantenfeetinlength,stickingoutbeforehim,andimpedinghisflight,thebuttfrequentlystrikingtheground,andlaceratingthewound.InvaindidMr.Waterhousetrytobreakit;andthebarb,whichappearedontheotherside,forbadeextraction,untilthatcouldbeperformed.Atlengthitwasbroken,andhisexcellencyreachedtheboat,bywhichtimetheseamenwiththemusketshadgotup,andwereendeavouringtofirethem,butoneonlywouldgooff,andthereisnoroomtobelievethatitwasattendedwithanyexecution.
Whenthegovernorgothome,thewoundwasexamined.Ithadbledagooddealintheboat,anditwasdoubtfulwhetherthesubclavianarterymightnotbedivided.Onmovingthespear,itwasfound,however,thatitmightbesafelyextracted,whichwasaccordinglyperformed.
ApprehensionforthesafetyofthepartywhohadgonetoBrokenBay,nowtookplace.LieutenantLong,withadetachmentofmarines,wasimmediatelysenttoescortthemback,lestanyambushmightbelaidbythenativestocutthemoff.WhenMr.LongreachedManlyCove,thesunhadset;however,hepursuedhiswayinthedark,scramblingoverrocksandthickets,aswellashecould,untiltwoo\'clockonthefollowingmorning,whenheovertookthemataplacewheretheyhadhaltedtosleep,abouthalf-waybetweenthetwoharbours.
Atday-breaktheyallreturned,andweresurprisedtofindtracksinthesandofthefeetoftheIndians,almostthewholewayfromtheplacewheretheyhadslepttotheCove.Bythisitshouldseemasiftheselasthadsecretlyfollowedthem,probablywithhostileintentionsbut,ondiscoveringtheirstrength,andthattheywereontheirguard,hadabandonedtheirdesign.
OnreachingManlyCove,threeIndianswereobservedstandingonarock,withwhomtheyenteredintoconversation.TheIndiansinformedthem,thatthemanwhohadwoundedthegovernorbelongedtoatriberesidingatBrokenBay,andtheyseemedhighlytocondemnwhathehaddone.
Ourgentlemenaskedthemforaspear,whichtheyimmediatelygave.
Theboat\'screwsaidthatBaneelonandColbeehadjustdeparted,afterafriendlyintercourse.Liketheothers,theyhadpretendedhighlytodisapprovetheconductofthemanwhohadthrownthespear,vowingtoexecutevengeanceuponhim.
Fromthistime,untilthe14th,nocommunicationpassedbetweenthenativesandus.Onthatday,thechaplainandlieutenantDawes,havingAbaroowiththeminaboat,learnedfromtwoIndiansthatWileemarinwasthenameofthepersonwhohadwoundedthegovernor.Thesetwopeopleinquiredkindlyhowhisexcellencydid,andseemedpleasedtohearthathewaslikelytorecover.TheysaidthattheywereinhabitantsofRoseHill,andexpressedgreatdissatisfactionatthenumberofwhitemenwhohadsettledintheirformerterritories.Inconsequenceofwhichdeclaration,thedetachmentatthatpostwasreinforcedonthefollowingday.
Ahazardousenterprise(butwhenlibertyisthestake,whatenterpriseistoohazardousforitsattainment!)wasundertakeninthismonthbyfiveconvictsatRoseHill,who,inthenight,seizedasmallpuntthere,andproceededinhertotheSouthHead,whencetheyseizedandcarriedoffaboat,appropriatedtotheuseofthelookouthouse,andputtoseainher,doubtlesswithaviewofreachinganyporttheycouldarriveat,andassertingtheirfreedom.Theyhadallcomeoutinthelastfleet;andforsometimeprevioustotheirelopement,hadbeencollectingfishingtackle,andhoardingupprovisions,toenablethemtoputtheirschemeintoexecution*.
[*Theyhaveneversincebeenheardof.Beforetheywentaway,theytriedinvaintoprocurefirearms.Iftheywerenotswallowedbythesea,probablytheywerecutoffbythenatives,onsomepartofthecoastwheretheirnecessitiesobligedthemtoland.]
CHAPTERIX.
TransactionsoftheColonyinpartofSeptemberandOctober,1790.
FromsounfavourableanomenasIhavejustrelated,whocouldprognosticatethatanintercoursewiththenativeswasabouttocommence!Thatthefoundationofwhatneitherentreaty,munificence,orhumanity,couldinduce,shouldbelaidbyadeed,whichthreatenedtoaccumulatescenesofbloodshedandhorrorwasaconsequencewhichneitherspeculationcouldpredict,orhopeexpecttoseeaccomplished.
Onthe15thafirebeingseenonthenorthshoreoftheharbour,apartyofourpeoplewentthither,accompaniedbyNanbareeandAbaroo.TheyfoundthereBaneelon,andseveralothernatives,andmuchcivilitypassed,whichwascementedbyamutualpromisetomeetintheafternoonatthesameplace.Bothsideswerepunctualtotheirengagement,andnoobjectionbeingmadetoourlanding,apartyofuswentashoretothemunarmed.
Severallittlepresents,whichhadbeenpurposelybrought,weredistributedamongthem;andtoBaneelonweregivenahatchetandafish.Atadistancestoodsomechildren,who,thoughatfirsttimorousandunwillingtoapproach,weresoonpersuadedtoadvance,andjointhemen.
Abottleofwinewasproduced,andBaneelonimmediatelypreparedforthecharge.Breadandbeefhecalledloudlyfor,whichweregiventohim,andhebegantoeat,offeringapartofhisfaretohiscountrymen,twoofwhomtastedthebeef,butnoneofthemwouldtouchthebread.
Havingfinishedhisrepast,hemadeamotiontobeshaved,andabarberbeingpresent,hisrequestwascompliedwith,tothegreatadmirationofhiscountrymen,wholaughedandexclaimedattheoperation.Theywouldnot,however,consenttoundergoit,butsufferedtheirbeardstobeclippedwithapairofscissors.
Onbeingaskedwheretheirwomenwere,theypointedtothespot,butseemednotdesirousthatweshouldapproachit.However,inafewminutes,afemaleappearednotfaroff,andAbaroowasdispatchedtoher.
BaneelonnowjoinedwithAbarootopersuadehertocometous,tellingusshewasBarangaroo,andhiswife,notwithstandinghehadsolatelypretendedthatshehadlefthimforColbee.Atlengthsheyielded,andAbaroo,havingfirstputapetticoatonher,broughthertous.Butthiswasthepruderyofthewilderness,whichherhusbandjoinedustoridicule,andwesoonlaughedheroutofit.Thepetticoatwasdroppedwithhesitation,andBarangaroostood\"armedcap-a-peeinnakedness.\"AttherequestofBaneelon,wecombedandcutherhair,andsheseemedpleasedwiththeoperation.Wineshewouldnottaste,butturnedfromitwithdisgust,thoughheartilyinvitedtodrinkbytheexampleandpersuasionofBaneelon.
Inshort,shebehavedsowell,andassumedthecharacterofgentlenessandtimiditytosuchadvantage,thathadouracquaintanceendedhere,averymoderateshareofthespiritoftravellingwouldhavesufficedtorecord,thatamidstahordeofroamingsavages,inthedesertwastesofNewSouthWales,mightbefoundasmuchfeminineinnocence,softness,andmodesty(allowingforinevitabledifferenceofeducation),asthemostfinishedsystemcouldbestow,orthemostpolishedcircleproduce.
Solittlefittedarewetojudgeofhumannatureatonce!Andyetonsuchgroundshavecountriesbeendescribed,andnationscharacterized.
Hencehavearisenthosespeculativeandlaboriouscompositionsontheadvantagesandsuperiorityofastateofnature.Buttoresumemysubject.
Supposing,thatbyaprivateconversation,shemightbeinducedtovisitSydney,whichwouldbethemeansofdrawingherhusbandandothersthither,Abaroowasinstructedtotakeheraside,andtryifshecouldpersuadehertocomplywithourwish.Theywanderedawaytogetheraccordingly,butitwassoonseen,thatBarangaroo\'sargumentstoinduceAbarootorejointheirsociety,weremorepowerfulthanthoseofthelatter,toprevailuponhertocomeamongus;foritwasnotwithoutmanifestreluctance,andoftenrepeatedinjunctions,thatAbaroowouldquithercountrywomen;andwhenshehaddoneso,shesatintheboat,insullensilence,evidentlyoccupiedbyreflectiononthesceneshehadleftbehind,andreturninginclinationtoherformerhabitsoflife.
Norwasacircumstancewhichhadhappenedinthemorninginterview,perhaps,whollyunrememberedbythegirl.WehadhintedtoBaneelontoprovideahusbandforher,whoshouldbeatlibertytopassandrepasstoandfromSydney,ashemightchoose.Therewasatthetime,aslenderfinelookingyouthincompany,calledImeerawanyee,aboutsixteenyearsold.
Thelad,onbeinginvited,cameimmediatelyuptoher,andofferedmanyblandishments,whichprovedthathehadassumedthe\'togavirilis\'.
ButAbaroodisclaimedhisadvances,repeatingthenameofanotherperson,whoweknewwasherfavourite.Theyoungloverwasnot,however,easilyrepulsed,butrenewedhissuit,onourreturnintheafternoon,withsuchwarmthofsolicitation,astocauseanevidentalterationinthesentimentsofthelady.
Toheightenthegoodhumourwhichpervadedbothparties,webegantoplayandrompwiththem.Featsofbodilystrengthweretried,andtheirinferioritywasglaring.Oneofourpartyliftedwitheasetwoofthemfromtheground,inspiteoftheireffortstopreventhim,whereasinreturn,nooneofthemcouldmovehim.Theycalledhim\'murreemulla\'
(alargestrongman).ComparedwithourEnglishlabourers,theirmuscularpowerwouldappearveryfeebleandinadequate.
Beforeweparted,Baneeloninformedusthathiscountrymenhadlatelybeenplunderedoffish-gigs,spears,asword,andmanyotherarticles,bysomeofourpeople,andexpressedawishthattheyshouldberestored,promising,thatiftheywere,thegovernor\'sdirkshouldbeproducedandreturnedtousto-morrow,ifwewouldmeethimhere.
Accordinglyonthefollowingdaywerowedtothespot,carryingwithusthestolenproperty.Wefoundhereseveralnatives,butnotBaneelon.
Weaskedforhim,andweretoldthathewasgonedowntheharbourwithBarangarootofish.Althoughdisappointedathisbreachofpromise,wewentonshore,andmingledwithoutdistrustamongthosewefound,acquaintingthemthatwehadbroughtwithusthearticlesofwhichtheyhadbeenplundered.Onhearingthisaccount,theyexpressedgreatjoy,andImeerawanyeedartingforward,claimedthesword.Itwasgiventohim,andhehadnosoonergraspedit,thanhehastenedtoconvincehismistress,thathisprowessinwar,wasnotinferiortohisskillincourtship.
Singlingoutayellowgum-treeforthefoe,heattackeditwithgreatfierceness,callingtoustolookon,andaccompanyinghisonsetwithallthegesturesandvociferationwhichtheyuseinbattle.Havingconqueredhisenemy,helaidasidehisfightingface,andjoineduswithacountenancewhichcarriediniteverymarkofyouthandgoodnature.
WhetherAbaroo\'scoyness,andpreferenceofanother,haddispleasedhim,oritwasowingtonaturalfickleness,hepaidhernofartherattention,butseemedmoredelightedwithus.Hehadnobeard,butwashighlygratifiedinbeingcombedandhavinghishairclipped.
Allthestolenpropertybeingbroughtonshore,anoldmancameup,andclaimedoneofthefish-gigs,singlingitfromthebundle,andtakingonlyhisown;andthishonesty,withinthecircleoftheirsociety,seemedtocharacterizethemall.
Duringthistime,itwasobserved,thatoneoftheIndians,insteadofmixingwiththerest,stoodaloof,inamusingposture,contemplatingwhatpassed.
Whenweofferedtoapproachhim,heshunnedusnot,andwillinglyshookhandswithallwhochosetodoso.Heseemedtobebetween30and40yearsold,wasjolly,andhadathoughtfulcountenance,muchmarkedbythesmallpox.
Heworeastringofbitsofdriedreedroundhisneck,whichIaskedhimtoexchangeforablackstock.Hesmiledattheproposal,butmadenoofferofwhatIwanted;whichouryoungfriend,Imeerawanyee,observing,flewtohim,andtakingoffthenecklace,directlyfixeditaboutmyneck.Ifearedhewouldbeenraged,butheboreitwithserenity,andsufferedagentlemanpresenttofastenhisblackstockuponhim,withwhichheappearedtobepleased.Toincreasehissatisfaction,someothertriflewasgiventohim.
HavingremainedhereanhourwewentinquestofBaneelon,agreeablytothedirectionswhichhiscompanionspointedout.WefoundhimandBarangarooshiveringoverafewlightedsticks,bywhichtheyweredressingsmallfish,andtheircanoehauleduponthebeachnearthem.
Onfirstseeingtheboat,theyranintothewoods;butonbeingcalledbyname,theycameback,andconsentedtoourlanding.Wecarriedonshorewithustheremainingpartofthefish-gigsandspearswhichhadbeenstolen,andrestoredthemtoBaneelon.Amongotherthings,wasanetfulloffishinglinesandothertackle,whichBarangaroosaidwasherpropertyand,immediatelyonreceivingit,sheslungitaroundherneck.
Baneeloninquired,withsolicitude,aboutthestateofthegovernor\'swound,buthemadenoofferofrestoringthedirk;andwhenhewasaskedforit,hepretendedtoknownothingofit,changingtheconversationwithgreatart,andaskingforwine,whichwasgiventohim.
Atparting,wepressedhimtoappointadayonwhichheshouldcometoSydney,assuringhim,thathewouldbewellreceived,andkindlytreated.Doubtful,however,ofbeingpermittedtoreturn,heevadedourrequest,anddeclaredthatthegovernormustfirstcomeandseehim,whichwepromisedshouldbedone.
Thegovernordidnothesitatetoexecutetheengagementwhichwehadcontractedforhim.ButBaneelonstillresistedcomingamongus,andmatterscontinuedinthisfluctuatingstateuntilthe8thofOctober,whenafire,whichtheyhadagreedtolightasasignalforustovisitthem,wasobserved.
Theeagerdesirebywhichwewerestimulatedtocarryourpointofeffectinganintercoursehadappeared.Variouspartiesaccordinglysetouttomeetthem,providedwithdifferentarticles,whichwethoughtwouldproveacceptabletothem.Wefoundassembled,Baneelon,Barangaroo,andanotheryoungwoman,andsixmen,allofwhomreceiveduswithwelcome,exceptthegravelookinggentlemanbeforementioned,whostoodaloofinhisformermusingposture.
Whentheysawthatwehadbroughthatchets,andotherarticleswithus,theyproducedspears,fish-gigs,andlines,forthepurposeofbarter,*
whichimmediatelycommenced,tothesatisfactionofbothparties.
Ihadbroughtwithmeanoldbluntedspear,whichwantedrepair.AnIndianimmediatelyundertooktoperformthetask,andcarryingittoafire,torewithhisteethapieceofbonefromafish-gig,whichhefastenedonthespearwithyellowgum,renderedflexiblebyheat.
[*Ithadlongbeenourwishtoestablishacommerceofthissort.Itisapainfulconsideration,thateverypreviousadditiontothecabinetofthevirtuosi,fromthiscountry,hadwrungatearfromtheplunderedIndian.]
October,1790.Manyofthemnowconsentedtobeshavedbyabarberwhomwehadpurposelybroughtover.AsIthoughthewhocouldperformanoperationofsuchimportancemustbedeemedbythemaneminentpersonage,Ibadehimaskoneofthemforafinebarbedspearwhichheheldinhishand;
butallthebarber\'seloquencewaswastedontheIndian,whoplainlygavehimtounderstandthathemeantnottopartwithhisspear,withoutreceivinganequivalent.Unfortunately,hispricewasahatchet,andtheonlyonewhichIhadbroughtwithmewasalreadydisposedoftothemanwhohadpointedmyspear.InvaindidItempthimwithaknife,ahandkerchief,andahat;nothingbutahatchetseemedtoberegarded.
\'Bullamogoparrabugo\'(twohatchetsto-morrow)Irepeatedlycried;buthavingprobablyexperiencedourinsincerity,herejectedtheproposalwithdisdain.
Findinghiminflexible,andlongingtopossessthespear,ItoldhimatlengththatIwouldgotoSydneyandfetchwhatherequired.Thisseemedtosatisfy,andheaccompaniedmetomyboat,inwhichIwentaway,andasquicklyaspossibleprocuredwhatwasnecessarytoconcludethebargain.
Onmyreturn,Iwassurprisedtoseeallourboatsrowingtowardshome,andwiththemacanoe,inwhichsattwoIndianspaddling.Ipulledtothem,andfoundthatBaneelon,andanotherIndian,wereinoneoftheboats,andthatthewholeformedapartygoingovertovisitthegovernor.
Inowlearned,thatduringmyabsence,thegovernorhadpassedinaboat,onhisreturnfromRoseHill,neartheplacewheretheywerestanding;
andthatfindinghewouldnotcometothem,althoughtheyhadcalledtohimtodoso,theyhadatoncedeterminedtoventurethemselvesunreservedlyamongus.OneofthemeninthecanoewasthepersontowhomIwastogivethehatchetIhadbeentofetch;anddirectlyashesawme,hehelduphisspear,andtheexchangetookplace,withwhich,andperhapstorewardmeforthetroubleIhadtaken,hewassodelightedthathepresentedmewithathrowing-stick\'gratis\'.
NotseeingBarangaroooftheparty,Iaskedforher,andwasinformedthatshehadviolentlyopposedBaneelon\'sdeparture.Whenshefoundpersuasionvain,shehadrecoursetotears,scolding,andthreats,stampingtheground,andtearingherhair.ButBaneeloncontinuingdetermined,shesnatchedupinherrageoneofhisfish-gigs,anddasheditwithsuchfuryontherocks,thatitbroke.Toquietherapprehensionsonthescoreofherhusband\'ssafety,Mr.Johnson,attendedbyAbaroo,agreedtoremainasahostageuntilBaneelonshouldreturn.
Welandedourfourfriendsoppositethehospital,andsetoutforthegovernor\'shouse.Onhearingoftheirarrival,suchnumbersflockedtoviewthemthatwewereapprehensivethecrowdofpersonswouldalarmthem,buttheyhadlefttheirfearsbehind,andmarchedonwithboldnessandunconcern.Whenwereachedthegovernor\'shouse,Baneelonexpressedhonestjoytoseehisoldfriend,andappearedpleasedtofindthathehadrecoveredofhiswound.ThegovernoraskedforWileemarin,andtheysaidhewasatBrokenBay.Somebreadandbeefweredistributedamongthembutunluckilynofishwastobeprocured,whichweweresorryfor,asapromiseofithadbeenoneoftheleadingtemptationsbywhichtheyhadbeenalluredover.Ahatchetapiecewas,however,giventothem,andacoupleofpetticoatsandsomefishingtacklesentforBarangaroo,andtheotherwoman.
Theceremonyofintroductionbeingfinished,Baneelonseemedtoconsiderhimselfquiteathome,runningfromroomtoroomwithhiscompanions,andintroducingthemtohisoldfriends,thedomestics,inthemostfamiliarmanner.Amongtheselast,heparticularlydistinguishedthegovernor\'sorderlysergeant,whomhekissedwithgreataffection,andawomanwhoattendedinthekitchen;butthegamekeeper,M\'Entire*,hecontinuedtoholdinabhorrence,andwouldnotsufferhisapproach.
[*Lookattheaccountofthegovernorbeingwounded,whenhisdetestationofthismanburstforth.]
Norwashisimportancetohiscountrymenlessconspicuousinotherrespects.
Heundertooktoexplaintheuseandnatureofthosethingswhichwerenewtothem.Someofhisexplanationswerewhimsicalenough.Seeing,forinstance,apairofsnuffers,hetoldthemthattheywere\"Nuffer*forcandle,\"——whichtheothersnotcomprehending,heopenedthesnuffers,andholdingupthefore-fingerofhislefthand,torepresentacandle,madethemotionofsnuffingit.Finding,thateventhissagaciousinterpretationfailed,hethrewdownthesnuffersinarage,andreproachingtheirstupidity,walkedaway.
[*TheSisaletterwhichtheycannotpronounce,havingnosoundintheirlanguagesimilartoit.Whenbiddentopronouncesun,theyalwayssaytun;salt,talt,andsoofallwordswhereinitoccurs.]
Itwasobserved,thatasoftgentletoneofvoice,whichwehadtaughthimtouse,wasforgotten,andhisnativevociferationreturnedinfullforce.
Butthetendernesswhich(likeArabanoo)hehadalwaysmanifestedtochildren,hestillretained;asappearedbyhisbehaviourtothosewhowerepresentedtohim.
Thefirstwishtheyexpressedtoreturn,wascompliedwith,inordertobanishallappearanceofconstraint,thepartywhohadconductedthemtoSydneyreturningwiththem.Whenwereachedtheoppositeshore,wefoundAbarooandtheotherwomanfishinginacanoe,andMr.JohnsonandBarangaroosittingatthefire,thelatteremployedinmanufacturingfish-hooks.Atalittledistance,onanadjoiningeminence,satanIndian,withhisspearinhishand,asifsentineloverthehostages,forthesecurityofhiscountrymen\'sreturn.
Duringourabsence,Barangaroohadneverceasedwhining,andreproachingherhusband.Nowthathewasreturned,shemethimwithunconcern,andseemedintentonherworkonly,butthisstateofreposedidnotlongcontinue.Baneelon,eyeingthebrokenfish-gig,castatheralookofsavagefuryandbegantointerrogateher,anditseemedmorethanprobablethattheremainingpartwouldbedemolishedaboutherheadhadwenotinterposedtopacifyhim.Norwouldwequittheplaceuntilhisforgivenesswascomplete,andhisgoodhumourrestored.Nosooner,however,didshefindherhusband\'sragesubsided,thanherhouroftriumphcommenced.
Thealarmandtrepidationshehadmanifesteddisappeared.Elatedathiscondescension,andemboldenedbyourpresenceandthefineryinwhichwehaddeckedher,sheinturnassumedahaughtydemeanour,refusedtoanswerhiscaresses,andviewedhimwithareproachingeye.Althoughlongabsencefromfemalesocietyhadsomewhatbluntedourrecollection,theconductofBarangaroodidnotappearquitenoveltous,norwasoursurpriseveryviolentatfindingthatitsucceededinsubduingBaneelonwho,whenweparted,seemedanxiousonlytopleaseher.
Thusendedaday,theeventsofwhichservedtocompletewhatanunhappyaccidenthadbegun.Fromthistimeourintercoursewiththenatives,thoughpartiallyinterrupted,wasneverbrokenoff.Wegraduallycontinued,henceforth,togainknowledgeoftheircustomsandpolicy,theonlyknowledgewhichcanleadtoajustestimateofnationalcharacter.
CHAPTERX.
Thearrivalofthe\'Supply\'fromBatavia;
theStateoftheColonyinNovember,1790.
Joysparkledineverycountenancetoseeouroldfriendthe\'Supply\'
(Ihopenoreaderwillbesocaptiousastoquarrelwiththephrase)
entertheharbourfromBataviaonthe19thofOctober.Wehadwitnessedherdeparturewithtears;wehailedherreturnwithtransport.
CaptainBallwasrathermorethansixmonthsinmakingthisvoyage,andisthefirstpersonwhoevercircumnavigatedthecontinentofNewHolland.
OnhispassagetoBatavia,hehaddiscoveredseveralislands,whichhegavenamestoand,afterfightinghiswayagainstadverseelementsandthroughunexploreddangers,safelyreachedhisdestinedport.Hehadwellstoredhislittlebarkwitheverynecessaryandconveniencywhichhejudgedweshouldfirstwant,leavingacargoofriceandsaltprovisionstobebroughtonbyaDutchsnow,whichhehadhiredandfreightedfortheuseofthesettlement.WhileatBatavia,the\'Supply\'hadlostmanyofherpeoplebysickness,andleftseveralothersinthegeneralhospitalatthatplace.
Asthearrivalofthe\'Supply\'naturallyleadstheattentionfromothersubjectstothestateofthecolony,Ishallheretakeareviewofitbytranscribingastatementdrawnfromactualobservationsoonafter,exactlyasIfinditwritteninmyjournal.
Cultivation,onapublicscale,hasforsometimepastbeengivenuphere,(Sydney)thecropoflastyearbeingsomiserable,astodeterfromfartherexperiment,inconsequenceofwhichthegovernment-farmisabandoned,andthepeoplewhowerefixedonithavebeenremoved.Necessarypublicbuildingsadvancefast;anexcellentstorehouseoflargedimensions,builtofbricksandcoveredwithtiles,isjustcompleted;andanotherplannedwhichwillshortlybebegun.Otherbuildings,amongwhichIheardthegovernormentionanhospitalandpermanentbarracksforthetroops,mayalsobeexpectedtoarisesoon.Worksofthisnaturearemoreexpeditiouslyperformedthanheretofore,owing,Iapprehend,tothesuperintendantslatelyarrived,whoareplacedovertheconvictsandcompelthemtolabour.
Thefirstdifficultiesofanewcountrybeingsubduedmayalsocontributetothiscomparativefacility.
Vegetablesarescarce,althoughthesummerissofaradvanced,owingtowantofrain.Idonotthinkthatalltheshowersofthelastfourmonthsputtogether,wouldmaketwenty-fourhoursrain.Ourfarms,whatwiththisandapoorsoil,areinwretchedcondition.Mywintercropofpotatoes,whichIplantedindaysofdespair(MarchandAprillast),turnedoutverybadlywhenIdugthemabouttwomonthsback.Wheatreturnedsopoorlylastharvest,thatverylittle,besidesIndiancorn,hasbeensownthisyear.
Thegovernor\'swoundisquitehealed,andhefeelsnoinconveniencywhateverfromit.Withthenativeswearehandandglove.Theythrongthecampeveryday,andsometimesbytheirclamourandimportunityforbreadandmeat(ofwhichtheynowalleatgreedily)arebecomeverytroublesome.Godknows,wehavelittleenoughforourselves!Fullallowance(ifeightpoundsofflourandeithersevenpoundsofbeef,orfourpoundsofpork,servedalternately,perweek,withouteitherpease,oatmeal,spirits,butter,orcheese,canbecalledso)isyetkeptup;butiftheDutchsnowdoesnotarrivesoonitmustbeshortened,asthecasksinthestorehouse,Iobservedyesterday,arewoefullydecreased.
Theconvictscontinuetobehaveprettywell;threeonlyhavebeenhangedsincethearrivalofthelastfleet,inthelatterendofJune,allofwhomwerenewcomers.Thenumberofconvictsherediminisheseveryday;
ourprincipaleffortsbeingwiselymadeatRoseHill,wherethelandisunquestionablybetterthanaboutthisplace.Exceptbuilding,sawingandbrickmaking,nothingofconsequenceisnowcarriedonhere.TheaccountwhichIreceivedafewdaysagofromthebrickmakersoftheirlabours,wasasfollows.Wheeler(oneofthemasterbrick-makers)withtwotilestoolsandonebrickstool,wastaskedtomakeandburnreadyforuse30000tilesandbrickspermonth.Hehadtwenty-onehandstoassisthim,whoperformedeverything;cutwood,dugclay,etc.Thiscontinued(duringthedaysofdistressexcepted,whentheydidwhattheycould)untilJunelast.
FromJune,withonebrickandtwotilestoolshehasbeentaskedtomake40000bricksandtilesmonthly(asmanyofeachsortasmaybe),havingtwenty-twomenandtwoboystoassisthim,onthesametermsofprocuringmaterialsasbefore.Theyfetchtheclayofwhichtilesaremade,twohundredyards;thatforbricksiscloseathand.HesaysthatthebricksaresuchaswouldbecalledinEngland,moderatelygood,andhejudgestheywouldhavefetchedabout24shillingsperthousandatKingston-upon-Thames(whereheresided)intheyear1784.Theirgreatestfaultisbeingtoobrittle.ThetileshethinksnotsogoodasthosemadeaboutLondon.
Thestuffhasarottenquality,andbesideswantstheadvantageofbeingground,inlieuofwhichtheytreadit.
King(anothermasterbricklayer)lastyear,withtheassistanceofsixteenmenandtwoboys,made11,000bricksweekly,withtwostools.Duringshortallowancedidwhathecould.Resumedhisoldtaskwhenputagainonfullallowanceandhadhisnumberofassistantsaugmentedtotwentymenandtwoboys,onaccountoftheincreaseddistanceofcarryingwoodforthekilns.HeworkedatHammersmith,forMr.Scot,ofthatplace.
HethinksthebricksmadehereasgoodasthosemadenearLondon,andsaysthatintheyear1784,theywouldhavesoldforaguineaperthousandandtohavepickedthekilnatthirtyshillings.\'
SuchismySydneydetaildatedthe12thofNovember,1790.FourdaysafterIwenttoRoseHill,andwrotetherethesubjoinedremarks.
November16th.GottoRoseHillintheevening.Nextmorningwalkedroundthewholeoftheclearedandcultivatedland,withtheRev.Mr.Johnson,whoisthebestfarmerinthecountry.EdwardDod,oneofthegovernor\'shousehold,whoconductseverythinghereintheagriculturalline,accompanieduspartoftheway,andaffordedalltheinformationhecould.
Heestimatesthequantityofclearedandcultivatedlandat200acres.
Ofthesefifty-fiveareinwheat,barley,andalittleoats,thirtyinmaize,andtheremainderiseitherjustclearedofwood,orisoccupiedbybuildings,gardens,etc.Fourenclosuresoftwentyacreseach,areplannedforthereceptionofcattle,whichmayarriveinthecolony,andtwoofthesearealreadyfencedin.Inthecentreofthemistobeerectedahouse,forapersonwhowillbefixedupontotakecareofthecattle.Alltheseenclosuresaresuppliedwithwater;andonlyapartofthetreeswhichgrewinthembeingcutdown,givestothemaverypark-likeandbeautifulappearance.
Oursurveycommencedonthenorthsideoftheriver.Dodsaysheexpectsthisyear\'scropofwheatandbarleyfromthefifty-fiveacrestoyieldfull400bushels.Appearanceshithertohardlyindicatesomuch.HesayshefindsthebeginningofMaythebesttimetosowbarley,*butthatitmaycontinuetobesownuntilAugust.ThatsowninMayisreapedinDecember;
thatofAugustinJanuary.Hesowedhiswheat,partinJuneandpartinJuly.
HethinksJunethebesttime,andsaysthatheinvariablyfindsthatwhichisdeepestsown,growsstrongestandbest,evenasdeepasthreeincheshehasputitin,andfoundittoanswer.ThewheatsowninJuneisnowturningyellow;thatofJulyismorebackward.Hehasusedonlythebroad-casthusbandry,andsowedtwobushelsperacre.Theploughhasneveryetbeentriedhere;allthegroundishoed,and(asDodconfesses)veryincompetentlyturnedup.Eachconvictlabourerwasobligedtohoesixteenrodsaday,sothatinsomeplacestheearthwasbutjustscratchedover.Thegroundwasleftopenforsomemonths,toreceivebenefitfromthesunandair;
andonthatnewlyclearedthetreeswereburnt,andtheashesdugin.
Idonotfindthatasuccessionofcropshasyetbeenattempted;
surelyitwouldhelptomeliorateandimprovethesoil.Dodrecommendsstronglythecultureofpotatoes,onalargescale,andsaysthatweretheyplantedevenaslateasJanuarytheywouldanswer,butthisIdoubt.
Heismorethaneverofopinionthatwithoutalargesupplyofcattlenothingcanbedone.Theyhavenotatthistimeeitherhorse,cow,orsheephere.
Iaskedhimhowthestocktheyhadwascomingon.Thefowlshesaidmultipliedexceedingly,butthehogsneitherthrivedorincreasedinnumber,forwantoffood.Hepointedouttoushisbestwheat,whichlookstolerable,andmayperhapsyield13or14bushelsperacre**.Nextcametheoatswhichareinear,thoughnotmorethansixincheshigh:theywillnotreturnasmuchseedaswassown.Thebarley,exceptonepatchinacornerofafield,littlebetterthantheoats.Crossedtheriverandinspectedthesouthside.
Foundthelittlepatchofwheatatthebottomofthecrescentverybad.
Proceededandexaminedthelargefieldontheascenttothewestward:
hereareabouttwenty-fiveacresofwheat,whichfromitsappearanceweguessedwouldproduceperhapssevenbushelsanacre.Thenextpatchtothisisinmaize,whichlooksnotunpromising;someofthestemsarestout,andbeginningtothrowoutlargebroadleaves,thesurestsignofvigour.
Theviewfromthetopofthewheatfieldtakesin,exceptanarrowslip,thewholeoftheclearedlandatRoseHill.Fromnothavingbeforeseenanopeningofsuchextentforthelastthreeyears,thisstruckusasgrandandcapacious.Thebeautifuldiversityoftheground(gentlehillanddale)
wouldcertainlybereckonedprettyinanycountry.Continuedourwalk,andcrossedtheoldfield,whichisintendedtoformpartofthemainstreetoftheprojectedtown.Thewheatinthisfieldisratherbetter,butnotmuch,thaninthelargefieldbeforementioned.Thenextfieldismaize,inferiortowhatwehaveseen,butnotdespicable.Anacreofmaize,atthebottomofthemarinegarden,isequalinluxuriancyofpromisetoanyIeversawinanycountry.
[*ThebestcropofbarleyeverproducedinNewSouthWales,wassownbyaprivateindividual,inFebruary1790,andreapedinthefollowingOctober.]
[**Asallthetreesonourclearedgroundwerecutdown,andnotgrubbedup,therootsandstumpsremain,onwhichaccountatenthpartofsurfaceineveryacremustbededucted.Thisisslovenlyhusbandry;butinacountrywhereimmediatesubsistenceiswanted,itisperhapsnecessary.Noneofthesestumps,whenIleftPortJackson,showedanysymptomsofdecay,thoughsomeofthetreeshadbeencutdownfouryears.TothedifferentqualitiesofthewoodofNorfolkIslandandNewSouthWales,perhapsthedifferenceofsoilmayinsomemeasurebetraced.ThatofNorfolkIslandislightandporous:itrotsandturnsintomouldintwoyears.BesidesitshardnessthatofPortJacksonaboundswithredcorrosivegum,whichcontributesitsshareofmischief.]
Themainstreetofthenewtownisalreadybegun.Itistobeamilelong,andofsuchbreadthaswillmakePallMallandPortlandPlace\"hidetheirdiminishedheads.\"Itcontainsatpresentthirty-twohousescompleted,oftwenty-fourfeetbytwelveeach,onagroundflooronly,builtofwattlesplasteredwithclay,andthatched.Eachhouseisdividedintotworooms,inoneofwhichisafireplaceandabrickchimney.Thesehousesaredesignedformenonly;andtenisthenumberofinhabitantsallottedtoeach;
butsomeofthemnowcontaintwelveorfourteen,forwantofbetteraccommodation.Morearebuilding.Inacrossstreetstandninehousesforunmarriedwomen;andexclusiveofalltheseareseveralsmallhutswhereconvictfamiliesofgoodcharacterareallowedtoreside.
