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,'
　　andwipedourarmshalfofwhichwererenderedunserviceablebythemud
　　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,whentheysaidthatamanofthenameofBangaiwhowasknowntobeoneofthepilfererswaswoundedanddead.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.
　　CertainitisasIshallinsistuponmorehereafter,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,permonthratingheratthreehundredtons
　　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.
　　[*LookatthemapforthesituationofthisplaceUnfortunately,thereisnomapaccompanyingthisetext.Ed.]
　　Ourpartywasstrongandnumerous.Itconsistedoftwenty-onepersons,viz.thegovernor,Mr.Collinsandhisservant,Mr.White,Mr.Dawes,theauthor,threegamekeepers,twosergeants,eightprivates,andourfriendsColbeeandBoladeree.Thesetwolastwerevolunteersontheoccasion,onbeingassuredthatweshouldnotstayoutmanydaysandthatweshouldcarryplentyofprovisions.Baneelonwishedtogo,buthiswifewouldnotpermitit.Colbeeontheotherhand,wouldlistentonoobjections.
　　Heonlystipulatedwithgreatcareandconsiderationthat,duringhisabsence,hiswifeandchildshouldremainatSydneyunderourprotection,andbesuppliedwithprovisions.
　　Butbeforewesetout,letmedescribeourequipment,andtrytoconveytothosewhohaverolledalongonturnpikeroadsonly,anaccountofthosepreparationswhicharerequiredintraversingthewilderness.Everymanthegovernorexceptedcarriedhisownknapsack,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;butassoonasitwaskindledhavingfirstwellstuffedthemselves,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
　　andimmediatelyaftermentionthenameofanyotherplacetowhichtheyareattachedRoseHillorSydneyforinstance,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.