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.
