首页 >出版文学> A Complete Account of the Settlement>第5章
  Ofpublicbuildings,besidestheoldwoodenbarrackandstore,thereisahouseoflathandplaster,forty-fourfeetlongbysixteenwide,forthegovernor,onagroundflooronly,withexcellentout-housesandappurtenancesattachedtoit.Anewbrickstorehouse,coveredwithtiles,100feetlongbytwenty-fourwide,isnearlycompleted,andahouseforthestore-keeper.Thefirststoneofabarrack,100feetlongbytwenty-fourwide,towhichareintendedtobeaddedwingsfortheofficers,waslaidto-day.Thesituationofthebarrackisjudicious,beingclosetothestore-house,andwithinahundredandfiftyyardsofthewharf,whereallboatsfromSydneyunload.TowhatIhavealreadyenumerated,mustbeaddedanexcellentbarn,agranary,aninclosedyardtorearstockin,acommodiousblacksmith'sshop,andamostwretchedhospital,totallydestituteofeveryconveniency.Luckilyforthegentlemanwhosuperintendsthishospital,andstillmoreluckilyforthosewhoaredoomedincaseofsicknesstoenterit,theairofRoseHillhashithertobeengenerallyhealthy.Atendencytoproduceslightinflammatorydisorders,fromtherapidchanges*ofthetemperatureoftheair,ismosttobedreaded.
  [*Inthecloseoftheyear1788,whenthissettlementwasestablished,thethermometerhasbeenknowntostandat50degreesalittlebeforesunrise,andbetweenoneandtwoo'clockintheafternoonatabove100degrees.]
  'ThehoursoflabourfortheconvictsarethesamehereasatSydney.
  OnSaturdaysafterteno'clockinthemorningtheyareallowedtoworkintheirowngardens.Thesegardensareatpresent,fromthelongdroughtandothercauses,inamostdeplorablestate.Potatoes,Ithink,thrivebetterthananyothervegetableinthem.Forthepublicconveniencyabakerisestablishedhereinagoodbakehouse,whoexchangeswitheverypersonbreadforflour,onstipulatedterms;butnocompulsionexistsforanyonetotakehisbread;itisleftentirelytoeverybody'sownoptiontoconsumehisflourashepleases.Divineserviceisperformedhere,morningandafternoon,oneSundayineverymonth,whenalltheconvictsareobligedtoattendchurch,underpenaltyofhavingapartoftheirallowanceofprovisionsstopped,whichisdonebythechaplain,whoisajusticeofthepeace.
  'Forthepunishmentofoffenders,whereacriminalcourtisnotjudgednecessary,twoormorejustices,occasionallyassemble,andordertheinflictionofslightcorporalpunishment,orshortconfinementinastrongroombuiltforthispurpose.Themilitarypresenthereconsistsoftwosubalterns,twosergeants,threecorporals,adrummer,andtwenty-oneprivates.Thesehavebeenoccasionallyaugmentedandreduced,ascircumstanceshavebeenthoughttorenderitnecessary.
  Brick-kilnsarenowerectedhere,andbricksmanufacturedbyaconvictofthenameofBecket,whocameoutinthelastfleet,andhasfifty-twopeopletoworkunderhim.Hemakes25,000bricksweekly.Hesaysthattheyareverygood,andwouldsellatBirmingham,whereheworkedabouteighteenmonthsago,atmorethan30shillingsperthousand.
  Nothingfartherofpublicnatureremainingtoexamine,Inextvisitedahumbleadventurer,whoistryinghisfortunehere.JamesRuse,convict,wascastforsevenyearsatBodminassizes,inAugust1782.Helayfiveyearsinprisonandonboardthe'Dunkirk'hulkatPlymouth,andthenwassenttothiscountry.Whenhistermofpunishmentexpired,inAugust1789,heclaimedhisfreedom,andwaspermittedbythegovernor,onpromisingtosettleinthecountry,totakeinDecemberfollowing,anuncleanedpieceofground,withanassurancethatifhewouldcultivateit,itshouldnotbetakenfromhim.Someassistancewasgivenhim,tofellthetimber,andheaccordinglybegan.Hispresentaccounttomewasasfollows.
  Iwasbredahusbandman,nearLauncesterinCornwall.
  IclearedmylandaswellasIcould,withthehelpaffordedme.TheexactlimitofwhatgroundIamtohave,Idonotyetknow;butacertaindirectionhasbeenpointedouttome,inwhichImayproceedasfastasI
  cancultivate.Ihavenowanacreandahalfinbeardedwheat,halfanacreinmaize,andasmallkitchengarden.
  OnmywheatlandIsowedthreebushelsofseed,theproduceofthiscountry,broadcast.Iexpecttoreapabouttwelveorthirteenbushels.Iknownothingofthecultivationofmaize,andcannotthereforeguesssowellatwhatIamlikelytogather.IsowedpartofmywheatinMay,andpartinJune.ThatsowninMayhasthrivedbest.MymaizeIplantedinthelatterendofAugust,andthebeginningofSeptember.MylandI
  preparedthus:havingburntthefallentimberofftheground,Idugintheashes,andthenhoeditup,neverdoingmorethaneight,orperhapsnine,rodsinaday,bywhichmeans,itwasnotlikethegovernmentfarm,justscratchedover,butproperlydone.ThenI
  clod-mouldedit,andduginthegrassandweeds.ThisIthinkalmostequaltoploughing.IthenletitlieaslongasIcould,exposedtoairandsun;andjustbeforeIsowedmyseed,turneditallupafresh.WhenIshallhavereapedmycrop,Ipurposetohoeitagain,andharrowitfine,andthensowitwithturnip-seed,whichwillmellowandprepareitfornextyear.Mystraw,Imeantoburyinpits,andthrowinwithiteverythingwhichIthinkwillrotandturntomanure.
  Ihavenopersontohelpme,atpresent,butmywife,whomImarriedinthiscountry;sheisindustrious.
  Thegovernor,forsometime,gavemethehelpofaconvictman,butheistakenaway.Bothmywifeandmyselfreceiveourprovisionsregularlyatthestore,likeallotherpeople.Myopinionofthesoilofmyfarm,is,thatitismiddling,neithergoodorbad.
  Iwillbeboundtomakeitdowiththeaidofmanure,butwithoutcattleitwillfail.Thegreatestcheckuponmeis,thedishonestyoftheconvictswho,inspiteofallmyvigilance,robmealmosteverynight.
  TheannexedreturnwillshowthenumberofpersonsofalldescriptionsatRoseHill,atthisperiod.Onthemorningofthe17th,IwentdowntoSydney.
  Hereterminatesthetranscriptionofmydiary.Itwerevaintosuppose,thatitcanproveeitheragreeableorinterestingtoamajorityofreadersbutasthisworkisintendednotonlyforamusement,butinformation,Iconsidereditrighttopresentthisdetailunaltered,eitherinitsstyleorarrangement.
  AreturnofthenumberofpersonsemployedatRoseHill,November16th,1790-
  HowEmployedTroopsCivildeptTroopsConvicts
  WivesChildrenMenWomenChildren-
  Storekeeper1
  Surgeon1
  Carpenters24
  Blacksmiths5
  MasterBricklayer1
  Bricklayers28
  MasterBrickmaker1
  Brickmakers52
  Labourers326*
  Assistantstotheprovisionstore4
  Assistantstothehospital3
  Officers'servants6
  MakingClothing50
  Superintendants4-
  Totalnumberofpersons552296134505013-
  [*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'sgamekeeperthepersonofwhomBaneelonhad,onformeroccasions,shownsomuchdreadandhatredwentoutonashootingparty.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,butbyarapidmovementtoalittlevillageiffivehutsdeservethename
  whichweknewstoodonthenearestpointofthenortharm,wherepossiblysomeoneunapprisedofourapproach,mightyetbefound.Thitherwehastened;
  butbeforewecouldreachitthreecanoes,filledwithIndians,wereseenpaddlingoverintheutmosthurryandtrepidation,totheoppositeshore,whereuniversalalarmprevailed.Allwecouldnowdowastosearchthehutsforweaponsofwar:butwefoundnothingexceptfishgigs,whichweleftuntouched.
  Onourreturntoourbaggagewhichwehadleftbehindunderasmallguardneartheplacewherethepursuithadbegunweobservedanativefishinginshallowwaternothigherthanhiswaist,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.