andthenhefilledupthehole,andraisedoveritasmallmoundwiththeearthwhichhadbeenremoved.Heretheceremonyended,unaccompaniedbyanyinvocationtoasuperiorbeing,oranyattendantcircumstancewhenceaninferenceoftheirreligiousopinionscouldbededuced.
[*NosolutionofthisdifficultyhadbeengivenwhenIleftthecountry,inDecember,1791.Ican,therefore,onlyproposequeriesfortheingenuityofotherstoexerciseitselfupon:isitadiseaseindigenoustothecountry?
DidtheFrenchshipsunderMonsieurdePeyrouseintroduceit?Letitberememberedthattheyhadnowbeendepartedmorethanayear;andwehadneverheardofitsexistenceonboardofthem.Hadittravelledacrossthecontinentfromitswesternshore,whereDampierandotherEuropeanvoyagershadformerlylanded?WasitintroducedbyMr.Cook?Didwegiveitbirthhere?NopersonamongushadbeenafflictedwiththedisordersincewehadquittedtheCapeofGoodHope,seventeenmonthsbefore.
Itistrue,thatoursurgeonshadbroughtoutvariolousmatterinbottles;
buttoinferthatitwasproducedfromthiscausewereasuppositionsowildastobeunworthyofconsideration.]
Anuninhabitedhouse,nearthehospital,wasallottedfortheirreception,andacradlepreparedforeachofthem.BytheencouragementofArabanoo,whoassuredthemofprotection,andthesoothingbehaviourofourmedicalgentlemen,theybecameatoncereconciledtous,andlookedhappyandgratefulatthechangeoftheirsituation.Sicknessandhungerhad,however,somuchexhaustedtheoldman,thatlittlehopewasentertainedofhisrecovery.Ashepointedfrequentlytohisthroat,attheinstanceofArabanoo,hetriedtowashitwithagarglewhichwasgiventohim;
buttheobstructed,tenderstateofthepartrendereditimpracticable.
\'Bado,bado\'water,washiscry:whenbroughttohim,hedranklargelyatintervalsofit.Hewasequallyimportunateforfire,beingseizedwithshiveringfits;andonewaskindled.Fishwereproduced,totempthimtoeat;butheturnedawayhishead,withsignsofloathing.
Nanbareetheboy,onthecontrary,nosoonersawthemthanheleapedfromhiscradle,andeagerlyseizingthem,begantocookthem.Awarmbathbeingprepared,theywereimmersedinit;andafterbeingthoroughlycleansed,theyhadcleanshirtsputonthem,andwereagainlaidinbed.
Theoldmanlivedbutafewhours.Heborethepangsofdissolutionwithpatientcomposure;andthoughhewassensibletothelastmoment,expiredalmostwithoutagroan.Nanbareeappearedquiteunmovedattheevent;
andsurveyedthecorpseofhisfatherwithoutemotion,simplyexclaiming,\'boee\'dead.Thissurprisedus;asthetendernessandanxietyoftheoldmanabouttheboyhadbeenverymoving.Althoughbarelyabletoraisehishead,whilesomuchstrengthwaslefttohim,hekeptlookingintohischild\'scradle;hepattedhimgentlyonthebosom;and,withdyingeyes,seemedtorecommendhimtoourhumanityandprotection.NanbareewasadoptedbyMr.White,surgeon-generalofthesettlement,andbecamehenceforthoneofhisfamily.
Arabanoohadnosoonerheardofthedeathofhiscountryman,thanhehastenedtointerhim.Iwaspresentattheceremony,incompanywiththegovernor,captainBall,andtwoorthreeotherpersons.Itdiffered,bytheaccountsofthosewhowerepresentatthefuneralofthegirl,innorespectfromwhathadpassedthereinthemorning,exceptthatthegravewasdugbyaconvict.ButIwasinformed,thatwhenintelligenceofthedeathreachedArabanoo,heexpressedhimselfwithdoubtwhetherheshouldbury,orburnthebody;andseemedsolicitoustoascertainwhichceremonywouldbemostgratifyingtothegovernor.
Indeed,Arabanoo\'sbehaviour,duringthewholeofthetransactionsofthisday,wassostronglymarkedbyaffectiontohiscountryman,andbyconfidenceinus,thatthegovernorresolvedtofreehimfromallfartherrestraint,andatoncetotrusttohisgenerosity,andtheimpressionwhichourtreatmentofhimmighthavemade,forhisfutureresidenceamongus:thefetterwasaccordinglytakenoffhisleg.
Intheevening,captainBallandIcrossedtheharbour,andburiedthecorpseofthewomanbeforementioned.
Distresscontinuedtodrivetheminuponus.Twomorenatives,oneofthemayoungman,andtheotherhissister,agirloffourteenyearsold,werebroughtinbythegovernor\'sboat,inamostdeplorablestateofwretchednessfromthesmallpox.ThesympathyandaffectionofArabanoo,whichhadappearedlanguidintheinstanceofNanbareeandhisfather,heremanifestedthemselvesimmediately.Weconjecturedthatadifferenceofthetribestowhichtheybelongedmightcausethepreference;butnothingafterwardshappenedtostrengthenorconfirmsuchasupposition.
Theyoungmandiedattheendofthreedays:thegirlrecovered,andwasreceivedasaninmate,withgreatkindness,inthefamilyofMrsJohnson,theclergyman\'swife.HernamewasBooron;butfromourmistakeofpronunciationsheacquiredthatofAbaroo,bywhichshewasgenerallyknown,andbywhichshewillalwaysbecalledinthiswork.
Sheshewed,atthedeathofherbrothermorefeelingthanNanbareehadwitnessedforthelossofhisfather.Whenshefoundhimdying,shecrepttohisside,andlaybyhimuntilforcedbythecoldtoretire.
Noexclamation,orothersignofgrief,however,escapedherforwhathadhappened.
May1789.Atsunset,ontheeveningofthe2dinstant,thearrivalthe\'Sirius\',CaptainHunter,fromtheCapeofGoodHope,wasproclaimed,anddiffuseduniversaljoyandcongratulation.Thedayoffaminewasatleastprocrastinatedbythesupplyofflourandsaltprovisionsshebroughtus.
The\'Sirius\'hadmadeherpassagetotheCapeofGoodHope,bytherouteofCapeHorn,inexactlythirteenweeks.Herhighestlatitudewas57degrees10minutessouth,wheretheweatherprovedintolerablycold.Ice,ingreatquantity,wasseenformanydays;andinthemiddleofDecemberwhichiscorrespondenttothemiddleofJune,inourhemisphere,waterfrozeinopencasksupondeck,inthemoderatelatitudeof44degrees.
TheywereverykindlytreatedbytheDutchgovernor,andamplysuppliedbythemerchantsattheCape,wheretheyremainedsevenweeks.TheirpassagebackwaseffectedbyVanDiemen\'sLand,nearwhich,andcloseunderTasman\'sHead,theywereintheutmostperilofbeingwrecked.
Inthislongrun,whichhadextendedroundthecircle,theyhadalwaysdeterminedtheirlongitude,tothegreatestnicety,bydistancestakenbetweenthesunandmoon,orbetweenthemoonandastar.ButitfallstothelotofveryfewshipstopossesssuchindefatigableandaccurateobserversasCaptainHunter,andMr.nowCaptainBradley,thefirstlieutenantofthe\'Sirius\'.
Ifeelassured,thatIhavenoreaderwhowillnotjoininregrettingtheprematurelossofArabanoo,whodiedofthesmallpoxonthe18thinstant,afterlanguishinginitsixdays.Fromsomeimperfectmarksandindentsonhisface,wewereinclinedtobelievethathehadpassedthisdreadeddisorder.Evenwhenthefirstsymptomsofsicknessseizedhim,wecontinuedwillingtohopethattheyproceededfromadifferentcause.
Butatlengththediseaseburstforthwithirresistiblefury.
Itweresuperfluoustosay,thatnothingwhichmedicalskillandunremittingattentioncouldperform,wereleftunexertedtomitigatehissufferings,andprolongalife,whichhumanityandaffectionateconcerntowardshissickcompatriots,unfortunatelyshortened.
Duringhissicknesshereposedentireconfidenceinus.Althoughastrangertomedicine,andnauseatingthetasteofit,heswallowedwithpatientsubmissioninnumerabledrugs,*whichthehopeofreliefinducedustoadministertohim.Thegovernor,whoparticularlyregardedhim,causedhimtobeburiedinhisowngarden,andattendedthefuneralinperson.
[*Verydifferenthadbeenhisconductonaformeroccasionofasimilarkind.
Soonafterhewasbroughtamongushewasseizedwithadiarrhoea,forwhichhecouldbynopersuasionbeinducedtoswallowanyofourprescriptions.Aftermanyineffectualtrialstodeceive,orovercomehim,itwasatlengthdeterminedtolethimpursuehisowncourse,andtowatchifheshouldapplyforrelieftoanyoftheproductionsofthecountry.Hewasinconsequenceobservedtodigfern-root,andtochewit.Whetherthedisorderhadpasseditscrisis,orwhetherthefern-rooteffectedacure,Iknownot;butitiscertainthathebecamespeedilywell.
**Theregardwasreciprocal.Hisexcellencyhadbeenillbutashorttimebefore,whenArabanoohadtestifiedtheutmostsolicitudeforhiscaseandrecovery.Itisprobablethatheacquired,onthisoccasion,justnotionsofthebenefittobederivedfrommedicalassistance.
Adoctoris,amongthem,apersonofconsequence.Itiscertainthathelatterlyestimatedourprofessionalgentlemenveryhighly.]
ThecharacterofArabanoo,asfaraswehaddevelopedit,wasdistinguishedbyaportionofgravityandsteadiness,whichoursubsequentacquaintancewithhiscountrymenbynomeansledustoconcludeanationalcharacteristic.
Inthatdaring,enterprisingframeofmind,which,whencombinedwithgenius,constitutestheleaderofahordeofsavages,ortherulerofapeople,boastingthepowerofdiscriminationandtheresistanceofambition,hewascertainlysurpassedbysomeofhissuccessors,whoafterwardslivedamongus.Hiscountenancewasthoughtful,butnotanimated:
hisfidelityandgratitude,particularlytohisfriendthegovernor,wereconstantandundeviating,anddeservetoberecorded.
Althoughofagentleandplacabletemper,weearlydiscoveredthathewasimpatientofindignity,andallowedofnosuperiorityonourpart.
Heknewthathewasinourpower;buttheindependenceofhismindneverforsookhim.Iftheslightestinsultwereofferedtohim,hewouldreturnitwithinterest.Atretaliationofmerrimenthewasoftenhappy;andfrequentlyturnedthelaughagainsthisantagonist.
Hedidnotwantdocility;buteitherfromthedifficultyofacquiringourlanguage,fromtheunskillfulnessofhisteachers,orfromsomenaturaldefect,hisprogressinlearningitwasnotequaltowhatwehadexpected.Forthelastthreeorfourweeksofhislife,hardlyanyrestraintwaslaiduponhisinclinations:sothathadhemeditatedescape,hemighteasilyhaveeffectedit.Hewas,perhaps,theonlynativewhowaseverattachedtousfromchoice;andwhodidnotpreferaprecarioussubsistenceamongwildsandprecipices,tothecomfortsofacivilizedsystem.
Byhisdeath,theschemewhichhadinvitedhiscapturewasutterlydefeated.
Offivenativeswhohadbeenbroughtamongus,threehadperishedfromacausewhich,thoughunavoidable,itwasimpossibletoexplaintoapeople,whowouldcondescendtoenterintonointercoursewithus.Thesamesuspiciousdreadofourapproach,andthesamescenesofvengeanceactedonunfortunatestragglers,continuedtoprevail.
CHAPTERV.
TransactionsoftheColonyuntiltheCloseoftheYear1789.
Theanniversaryofhismajesty\'sbirth-daywascelebrated,asheretofore,atthegovernment-house,withloyalfestivity.Intheevening,theplayof\'TheRecruitingOfficer\'wasperformedbyapartyofconvicts,andhonouredbythepresenceofhisexcellency,andtheofficersofthegarrison.Thateveryopportunityofescapefromthedrearinessanddejectionofoursituationshouldbeeagerlyembraced,willnotbewonderedat.Theexhilaratingeffectofasplendidtheatreiswellknown:
andIamnotashamedtoconfess,thattheproperdistributionofthreeorfouryardsofstainedpaper,andadozenfarthingcandlesstuckaroundthemudwallsofaconvict-hut,failednottodiffusegeneralcomplacencyonthecountenancesofsixtypersons,ofvariousdescriptions,whowereassembledtoapplaudtherepresentation.Someoftheactorsacquittedthemselveswithgreatspirit,andreceivedthepraisesoftheaudience:aprologueandanepilogue,writtenbyoneoftheperformers,werealsospokenontheoccasion;which,althoughnotworthinsertinghere,containedsometolerableallusionstothesituationoftheparties,andthenoveltyofastage-representationinNewSouthWales.
BrokenBay,whichwassupposedtobecompletelyexplored,becameagainanobjectofresearch.Onthesixthinstant,thegovernor,accompaniedbyalargepartyintwoboats,proceededthither.Heretheyagainwanderedoverpilesofmis-shapendesolation,contemplatingscenesofwildsolitude,whoseunvaryingappearancerendersthemincapableofaffordingeithernoveltyorgratification.Butwhentheyhadgivenoverthehopeoffartherdiscovery,bypursuingthewindingsofaninlet,which,fromitsappearance,wassupposedtobeashortcreek,theysuddenlyfoundthemselvesattheentranceofafreshwaterriver,upwhichtheyproceededtwentymiles,inawesterlydirection;andwouldhavefartherprosecutedtheirresearch,hadnotafailureofprovisionsobligedthemtoreturn.Thisrivertheydescribedtobeofconsiderablebreadth,andofgreatdepth;butitsbankshadhithertopresentednothingbetterthanacounterpartoftherocksandprecipiceswhichsurroundBrokenBay.
June,1789.Asecondexpedition,toascertainitscourse,wasundertakenbyhisexcellency,whonowpenetratedmeasuringbythebedoftheriver
between60and70miles,whenthefartherprogressoftheboatswasstoppedbyafall.Thewaterineverypartwasfoundtobefreshandgood.
Oftheadjoiningcountry,theopinionsofthosewhohadinspecteditofwhichnumberIwasnotweresovarious,thatIshalldeclinetorecordthem.Somesawarichandbeautifulcountry;andothersweresounfortunateastodiscoverlittleelsethanlargetractsoflowland,coveredwithreeds,andrankwiththeinundationsofthestream,bywhichtheyhadbeenrecentlycovered.Allparties,however,agreed,thattherocky,impenetrablecountry,seenonthefirstexcursion,hadendednearlyabouttheplacewhencetheboatshadthenturnedback.Closetothefallstandsaverybeautifulhill,whichouradventurersmounted,andenjoyedfromitanextensiveprospect.Potatoes,maize,andgardenseedsofvariouskindswereputintotheearth,bythegovernor\'sorder,ondifferentpartsofRichmond-hill,whichwasannouncedtobeitsname.
ThelatitudeofRichmond-hill,asobservedbycaptainHunter,wassettledat33degrees36minutessouth.
HerealsotheriverreceivedthenameofHawkesbury,inhonourofthenoblelordwhobearsthattitle.
Nativeswerefoundonthebanksinseveralparts,manyofwhomwerelabouringunderthesmallpox.Theydidnotattempttocommithostilitiesagainsttheboats;butonthecontraryshewedeverysignofwelcomeandfriendshiptothestrangers.
Atthisperiod,IwasunluckilyinvestedwiththecommandoftheoutpostatRoseHill,whichpreventedmefrombeinginthelistofdiscoverersoftheHawkesbury.Stimulated,however,byadesireofacquiringafurtherknowledgeofthecountry,onthe26thinstant,accompaniedbyMr.Arndell,assistantsurgeonofthesettlement,Mr.Lowes,surgeon\'smateofthe\'Sirius\',twomarines,andaconvict,Ilefttheredoubtatday-break,pointingourmarchtoahill,distantfivemiles,inawesterlyorinlanddirection,whichcommandsaviewofthegreatchainofmountains,calledCarmarthenhills,extendingfromnorthtosouthfartherthantheeyecanreach.Herewepaused,surveying\"thewildabyss;
ponderingourvoyage.\"Beforeuslaythetracklessimmeasurabledesert,inawfulsilence.Atlength,afterconsultation,wedeterminedtosteerwestandbynorth,bycompass,themakeofthelandinthatquarterindicatingtheexistenceofariver.WecontinuedtomarchalldaythroughacountryuntroddenbeforebyanEuropeanfoot.Savethatamelancholycrownowandthenflewcroakingoverhead,orakangaroowasseentoboundatadistance,thepictureofsolitudewascompleteandundisturbed.Atfouro\'clockintheafternoonwehaltednearasmallpondofwater,wherewetookupourresidenceforthenight,lightedafire,andpreparedtocookoursupper:
thatwas,tobroiloveracoupleoframrodsafewslicesofsaltpork,andacrowwhichwehadshot.
Atdaylightwerenewedourperegrination;andinanhourafterwefoundourselvesonthebanksofariver,nearlyasbroadastheThamesatPutney,andapparentlyofgreatdepth,thecurrentrunningveryslowlyinanortherlydirection.Vastflocksofwildduckswereswimminginthestream;
butafterbeingoncefiredat,theygrewsoshythatwecouldnotgetnearthemasecondtime.Nothingismorecertainthanthatthesoundofagunhadneverbeforebeenheardwithinmanymilesofthisspot.
Weproceededupwards,byaslowpace,throughreeds,thickets,andathousandotherobstacles,whichimpededourprogress,overcoarsesandyground,whichhadbeenrecentlyinundated,thoughfullfortyfeetabovethepresentleveloftheriver.Tracesofthenativesappearedateverystep,sometimesintheirhunting-huts,whichconsistofnothingmorethanalargepieceofbark,bentinthemiddle,andopenatbothends,exactlyresemblingtwocards,setuptoformanacuteangle;sometimesinmarksontreeswhichtheyhadclimbed;orinsquirrel-traps*;or,whichsurprisedusmore,frombeingnew,indecoysforthepurposeofensnaringbirds.
Theseareformedofunderwoodandreeds,longandnarrow,shapedlikeamoundraisedoveragrave;withasmallapertureatoneendforadmissionoftheprey;andagratemadeofsticksattheother:thebirdentersattheaperture,seeingbeforehimthelightofthegrate,betweenthebarsofwhich,hevainlyendeavourstothrusthimself,untiltaken.Mostofthesedecoyswerefulloffeathers,chieflythoseofquails,whichshewedtheirutility.Wealsometwithtwoolddamagedcanoeshauleduponthebeach,whichdifferedinnowisefromthosefoundontheseacoast.
[*Asquirrel-trapisacavityofconsiderabledepth,formedbyart,inthebodyofatree.WhentheIndiansintheirhuntingpartiessetfiretothesurroundingcountrywhichisaverycommoncustomthesquirrels,opossums,andotheranimals,wholiveintrees,fleeforrefugeintotheseholes,whencetheyareeasilydislodgedandtaken.Thenativesalwayspitchonapartofatreeforthispurpose,whichhasbeenperforatedbyaworm,whichindicatesthatthewoodisinanunsoundstate,andwillreadilyyieldtotheirefforts.Iftherudenessandimperfectionofthetoolswithwhichtheyworkbeconsidered,itmustbeconfessedtobeanoperationofgreattoilanddifficulty.]
Havingremainedoutthreedays,wereturnedtoourquartersatRose-hill,withthepleasingintelligenceofourdiscovery.Thecountrywehadpassedthroughwefoundtolerablyplain,andlittleencumberedwithunderwood,exceptneartheriverside.ItisentirelycoveredwiththesamesortsoftreesasgrownearSydney;andinsomeplacesgrassspringsupluxuriantly;
otherplacesarequitebareofit.Thesoilisvarious:inmanypartsastiffandclay,coveredwithsmallpebbles;inotherplaces,ofasoftloamynature:butinvariably,ineverypartneartheriver,itisacoarsesterilesand.Ourobservationsonitparticularlymine,fromcarryingthecompassbywhichwesteeredwerenotsonumerousasmighthavebeenwished.But,certainly,ifthequalitiesofitbesuchastodeservefuturecultivation,noimpedimentofsurface,butthatofcuttingdownandburningthetrees,exists,topreventitsbeingtilled.
TothisriverthegovernorgavethenameofNepean.Thedistanceofthepartoftheriverwhichwefirsthituponfromtheseacoast,isabout39miles,inadirectlinealmostduewest.
AsurveyofBotanyBaytookplaceinSeptember.Iwasoftheparty,withseveralothersofficers.Wecontinuedninedaysinthebay,duringwhichtime,therelativepositionofeverypartofit,totheextentofmorethanthirtymiles,followingthewindingsoftheshore,wasascertained,andlaiddownonpaper,bycaptainHunter.
Socompleteanopportunityofformingajudgment,enablesmetospeakdecisivelyofaplace,whichhasoftenengagedconversationandexcitedreflection.Varietyofopinionsheredisappeared.Ishall,therefore,transcribeliterallywhatIwroteinmyjournal,onmyreturnfromtheexpedition.\"Wewereunanimouslyofopinion,thathadnotthenauticalpartofMr.Cook\'sdescription,inwhichweincludethelatitudeandlongitudeofthebay,beensoaccuratelylaiddown,therewouldexisttheutmostreasontobelieve,thatthosewhohavedescribedthecontiguouscountry,hadneverseenit.Onthesidesoftheharbour,alineofseacoastmorethanthirtymileslong,wedidnotfind200acreswhichcouldbecultivated.\"
September,1789.Butallourattentionwasnotdirectedtoexploreinlets,andtollfordiscovery.Ourinternaltranquillitywasstillmoreimportant.
Torepresstheinroadsofdepredation;andtosecuretohonestindustrytherewardofitslabour,hadbecomematterofthemostseriousconsideration;
hardlyanightpassingwithoutthecommissionofrobbery.Manyexpedientsweredevised;andthegovernoratlengthdeterminedtoselectfromtheconvicts,acertainnumberofpersons,whoweremeanttobeofthefairestcharacter,forthepurposeofbeingformedintoanightly-watch,forthepreservationofpublicandprivateproperty,underthefollowingregulations,which,asthefirstsystemofpoliceinacolony,sopeculiarlyconstitutedasours,mayperhapsprovenotuninteresting.
I.Anight-watch,consistingof12persons,dividedintofourparties,isappointed,andfullyauthorizedtopatrolatallhoursinthenight;
andtovisitsuchplacesasmaybedeemednecessary,forthediscoveryofanyfelony,trespass,ormisdemeanor;andfortheapprehendingandsecuringforexamination,anypersonorpersonswhomayappeartothemconcernedtherein,eitherbyentranceintoanysuspectedhutordwelling,orbysuchothermeasureasmayseemtothemexpedient.
II.Thosepartsinwhichtheconvictsresidearetobedividedandnumbered,inthefollowingmanner.Theconvicthutsontheeasternsideofthestream,andthepublicfarm,aretobethefirstdivision.Thoseatthebrick-kilns,andthedetachedpartiesinthedifferentprivatefarmsinthatdistrict,aretobetheseconddivision.Thoseonthewesternsideofthestream,asfarasthelinewhichseparatesthedistrictofthewomenfromthemen,tobethethirddivision.Thehutsoccupiedfromthatlinetothehospital,andfromtheretotheobservatory,tobethefourthdivision.
III.Eachofthesedistrictsordivisionsistobeundertheparticularinspectionofoneperson,whomaybejudgedqualifiedtoinformhimselfoftheactualresidenceofeachindividualinhisdistrict;aswellasofhisbusiness,connections,andacquaintances.
IV.Cognizanceistobetakenofsuchconvictsasmaysellorbartertheirslopsorprovisions;andalsoofsuchasareaddictedtogamingforeitheroftheaforesaidarticles,whoaretobereportedtothejudgeadvocate.
V.Anysoldierorseamanfoundstragglingafterthebeatingofthetattoo;
orwhomaybefoundinaconvict\'shut,istobedetained;andinformationofhimimmediatelygiventothenearestguard.
VI.Anypersonwhomayberobbedduringthenight,istogiveimmediateinformationthereoftothewatchofhisdistrict,who,ontheinstantofapplicationbeingmade,shallusethemosteffectualmeanstotraceouttheoffender,oroffenders,sothathe,she,orthey,maybebroughttojustice.
VII.Thewatchofeachdistrictistobeunderthedirectionofoneperson,whowillbenamedforthatpurpose.AllthepatrolsareplacedundertheimmediateinspectionofHerbertKeeling.Theyarenevertoreceiveanyfee,gratuity,orreward,fromanyindividualwhatever,toengagetheirexertionsintheexecutionoftheabovetrust.Norwilltheyreceiveanystipulatedencouragementfortheconvictionofanyoffender.
Buttheirdiligenceandgoodbehaviourwillberewardedbythegovernor.
Andforthispurposetheirconductwillbestrictlyattendedto,bythosewhoareplacedinauthorityoverthem.
VIII.Thenight-watchistogooutassoonasthetattooceasesbeating:
toreturntotheirhutswhentheworkingdrumbeatsinthemorning:
andaretomaketheirreporttothejudgeadvocate,throughHerbertKeeling,ofallrobberiesandmisdemeanorswhichmayhavebeencommitted.
Anyassistancethepatrolsmayrequire,willbegiventothem,onapplyingtotheofficercommandingthenearestguard;andbythecivilpower,ifnecessary;forwhichlast,applicationistobemadetotheprovostmartial.
IX.Anynegligenceonthepartofthosewhoshallbeemployedonthisduty,willbepunishedwiththeutmostrigourofthelaw.
X.Thenight-watchistoconsistof12persons.
Everypoliticalcode,eitherfromadefectofitsconstitution,orfromthecorruptnessofthosewhoareentrustedtoexecuteit,willbefoundlessperfectinpracticethanspeculationhadpromiseditself.Itwere,however,prejudicetodeny,thatforsometimefollowingtheinstitutionofthispatrol,nightlydepredationsbecamelessfrequentandalarming:
thepettyvillains,atleast,wererestrainedbyit.Andtokeepevenagardenunravagedwasnowbecomeasubjectofthedeepestconcern.
ForinOctoberourweeklyallowanceofprovisions,whichhadhithertobeeneightpoundsofflour,fivepoundsofsaltpork,threepintsofpease,sixouncesofbutter,wasreducedtofivepoundsfiveouncesofflour,threepoundsfiveouncesofpork,andtwopintsofpease.
Inordertolessentheconsumptionfromthepublicstores,the\'Supply\'
wasorderedtotouchatLordHoweIsland,inherwayfromNorfolkIsland,totryifturtlecouldbeprocured,forthepurposeofbeingpubliclyservedinlieuofsaltprovisions.Butshebroughtbackonlythreeturtles,whichweredistributedinthegarrison.
December,1789.Attherequestofhisexcellency,lieutenantDawesofthemarines,accompaniedbylieutenantJohnstonandMr.Lowes,aboutthistimeundertooktheattempttocrosstheNepeanriver,andtopenetratetoCarmarthenmountains.Havingdiscoveredafordintheriver,theypassedit,andproceededinawesterlydirection.
Buttheyfoundthecountrysorugged,andthedifficultyofwalkingsoexcessive,thatinthreedaystheywereabletopenetrateonlyfifteenmiles,andwerethereforeobligedtorelinquishtheirobject.
Thisparty,atthetimetheyturnedback,werefartherinlandthananyotherpersonseverwerebeforeorsince,beingfifty-fourmilesinadirectlinefromtheseacoastwhenonthesummitofmountTwiss,ahillsonamedbythem,andwhichboundedtheirperegrination.
Intercoursewiththenatives,forthepurposeofknowingwhetherornotthecountrypossessedanyresources,bywhichlifemightbeprolonged*,aswellasonotheraccounts,becomingeverydaymoredesirable,thegovernorresolvedtomakeprisonersoftwomoreofthem.
[*Oneoftheconvicts,anegro,hadtwiceeloped,withanintentionofestablishinghimselfinthesocietyofthenatives,withawishtoadopttheircustomsandtolivewiththem:buthewasalwaysrepulsedbythem;
andcompelledtoreturntousfromhungerandwretchedness.]
Boatsproperlyprovided,underthecommandoflieutenantBradleyofthe\'Sirius\',wereaccordinglydispatchedonthisservice;andcompletelysucceededintrepanningandcarryingoff,withoutopposition,twofineyoungmen,whoweresafelylandedamongusatSydney.
NanbareeandAbaroowelcomedthemonshore;callingthemimmediatelybytheirnames,BaneelonBennelong,andColbee.Buttheyseemedlittledisposedtoreceivethecongratulations,orreposeconfidenceintheassurancesoftheirfriends.Thesamescenesofawkwardwonderandimpatientconstraint,whichhadattendedtheintroductionofArabanoo,succeeded.Baneelonwejudgedtobeabouttwenty-sixyearsold,ofgoodstature,andstoutlymade,withaboldintrepidcountenance,whichbespokedefianceandrevenge.Colbeewasperhapsnearthirty,ofalesssullenaspectthanhiscomrade,considerablyshorter,andnotsorobustlyframed,thoughbetterfittedforpurposesofactivity.
Theyhadbothevidentlyhadthesmallpox;indeedColbee\'sfacewasverythicklyimprintedwiththemarksofit.
Positiveorderswereissuedbythegovernortotreatthemindulgently,andguardthemstrictly;notwithstandingwhichColbeecontrivedtoeffecthisescapeinaboutaweek,withasmallironringroundhisleg.
Hadthoseappointedtowatchthembeenamomentlater,hiscompanionwouldhavecontrivedtoaccompanyhim.
ButBaneelon,thoughhaughty,knewhowtotemporize.Hequicklythrewoffallreserve;andpretended,nay,atparticularmoments,perhapsfeltsatisfactioninhisnewstate.UnlikepoorArabanoo,hebecameatoncefondofourviands,andwoulddrinkthestrongestliquors,notsimplywithoutreluctance,butwitheagermarksofdelightandenjoyment.
Hewastheonlynativeweeverknewwhoimmediatelyshewedafondnessforspirits:Colbeewouldnotatfirsttouchthem.Norwastheeffectofwineorbrandyuponhimmoreperceptiblethananequalquantitywouldhaveproducedupononeofus,althoughfermentedliquorwasnewtohim.
Inhiseating,hewasalikecompliant.WhenaturtlewasshowntoArabanoo,hewouldnotallowittobeafish,andcouldnotbeinducedtoeatofit.
Baneelonalsodeniedittobeafish;butnocommoncouncilmaninEuropecoulddomorejusticethanhedidtoaveryfineone,thatthe\'Supply\'
hadbroughtfromLordHoweIsland,andwhichwasservedupatthegovernor\'stableonChristmasDay.
Hispowersofmindwerecertainlyfarabovemediocrity.Heacquiredknowledge,bothofourmannersandlanguage,fasterthanhispredecessorhaddone.
Hewillinglycommunicatedinformation;sang,danced,andcapered,toldusallthecustomsofhiscountry,andallthedetailsofhisfamilyeconomy.
Loveandwarseemedhisfavouritepursuits;inbothofwhichhehadsufferedseverely.Hisheadwasdisfiguredbyseveralscars;aspearhadpassedthroughhisarm,andanotherthroughhisleg.Halfofoneofhisthumbswascarriedaway;andthemarkofawoundappearedonthebackofhishand.
Thecauseandattendantcircumstancesofallthesedisasters,exceptone,herelatedtous.
\"Butthewoundonthebackofyourhand,Baneelon!Howdidyougetthat?\"
Helaughed,andownedthatitwasreceivedincarryingoffaladyofanothertribebyforce.\"Iwasdraggingheraway.Shecriedaloud,andstuckherteethinme.\"
\"Andwhatdidyoudothen?\"
\"Iknockedherdown,andbeathertillshewasinsensible,andcoveredwithblood.Then\"
Wheneverherecountedhisbattles,\"poisedhislance,andshowedhowfieldswerewon\",themostviolentexclamationsofrageandvengeanceagainsthiscompetitorsinarms,thoseofthetribecalledCameeragalinparticular,wouldburstfromhim.Andheneverfailedatsuchtimestosolicitthegovernortoaccompanyhim,withabodyofsoldiers,inorderthathemightexterminatethishatedname.
AlthoughIcallhimonlyBaneelon,hehadbesidesseveralappellations,andforawhilehechosetobedistinguishedbythatofWolarawaree.
Again,asamarkofaffectionandrespecttothegovernor,heconferredonhimthenameofWolarawaree,andsometimescalledhim\'Beenena\'father,adoptingtohimselfthenameofgovernor.Thisinterchangewefoundisaconstantsymboloffriendshipamongthem*.Inaword,histemperseemedpliant,andhisrelishofoursocietysogreat,thathardlyanyonejudgedhewouldattempttoquitus,werethemeansofescapeputwithinhisreach.Neverthelessitwasthoughtpropertocontinueawatchoverhim.
[*ItisobservablethatthiscustomprevailsasapledgeoffriendshipandkindnessalloverAsia,andhasalsobeenmentionedbyCaptainCooktoexistamongthenativesintheSouthSeaIslands.]
CHAPTERVI.
TransactionsoftheColony,fromtheBeginningoftheYear1790
untiltheEndofMayfollowing.
OurimpatienceofnewsfromEuropestronglymarkedthecommencementoftheyear.Wehadnowbeentwoyearsinthecountry,andthirty-twomonthsfromEngland,inwhichlongperiodnosupplies,exceptwhathadbeenprocuredattheCapeofGoodHopebythe\'Sirius\',hadreachedus.Fromintelligenceofourfriendsandconnectionswehadbeenentirelycutoff,nocommunicationwhateverhavingpassedwithournativecountrysincethe13thofMay1787,thedayofourdeparturefromPortsmouth.Faminebesideswasapproachingwithgiganticstrides,andgloomanddejectionoverspreadeverycountenance.