Menabandonedthemselvestothemostdespondingreflections,andadoptedthemostextravagantconjectures.
　　Stillwewereonthetiptoeofexpectation.Ifthunderbrokeatadistance,orafowling-pieceoflouderthanordinaryreportresoundedinthewoods,"agunfromaship"wasechoedoneveryside,andnothingbuthurryandagitationprevailed.Foreighteenmonthsafterwehadlandedinthecountry,apartyofmarinesusedtogoweeklytoBotanyBay,toseewhetheranyvessel,ignorantofourremovaltoPortJackson,mightbearrivedthere.Butabetterplanwasnowdevised,onthesuggestionofcaptainHunter.Apartyofseamenwerefixedonahighbluff,calledtheSouth-head,attheentranceoftheharbour,onwhichaflagwasorderedtobehoisted,wheneverashipmightappear,whichshouldserveasadirectiontoher,andasasignalofapproachtous.Everyofficersteppedforwardtovolunteeraservicewhichpromisedtobesorepletewithbeneficialconsequences.ButthezealandalacrityofcaptainHunter,andourbrethrenofthe'Sirius',renderedsuperfluousallassistanceorco-operation.
　　Hereonthesummitofthehill,everymorningfromdaylightuntilthesunsunk,didwesweepthehorizon,inhopeofseeingasail.Ateveryfleetingspeckwhicharosefromthebosomofthesea,theheartbounded,andthetelescopewasliftedtotheeye.Ifashipappearedhere,weknewshemustbeboundtous;forontheshoresofthisvastoceanthelargestintheworld
　　weweretheonlycommunitywhichpossessedtheartofnavigation,andlanguishedforintercoursewithcivilizedsociety.
　　Tosaythatweweredisappointedandshocked,wouldveryinadequatelydescribeoursensations.Butthemiseryandhorrorofsuchasituationcannotbeimparted,evenbythosewhohavesufferedunderit.
　　March,1790.Vigorousmeasureswerebecomeindispensable.Thegovernortherefore,earlyinFebruary,orderedthe'Sirius'toprepareforavoyagetoChina;andafartherretrenchmentofourration,weweregiventounderstand,wouldtakeplaceonhersailing.
　　Butthe'Sirius'wasdestinednottoreachChina.Previouslytoherintendeddepartureonthatvoyage,shewasordered,inconcertwiththe'Supply',toconveyMajorRoss,withalargedetachmentofmarines,andmorethantwohundredconvicts,toNorfolkIsland,itbeinghopedthatsuchadivisionofournumberswouldincreasethemeansofsubsistence,bydiversifiedexertions.Shesailedonthe6thofMarch.Andonthe27thofthesamemonth,thefollowingorderwasissuedfromheadquarters.
　　Parole——Honour.
　　Countersign——Example.
　　Theexpectedsupplyofprovisionsnothavingarrived,makesitnecessarytoreducethepresentration.
　　Andthecommissaryisdirectedtoissue,fromthe1stofApril,theunder-mentionedallowance,toeverypersoninthesettlementwithoutdistinction.
　　Fourpoundsofflour,twopoundsandahalfofsaltpork,andonepoundandahalfofrice,perweek.
　　Onthe5thofAprilnewswasbrought,thattheflagontheSouth-headwashoisted.Lessemotionwascreatedbythenewsthanmightbeexpected.
　　Everyonecoldlysaidtohisneighbour,"the'Sirius'and'Supply'arereturnedfromNorfolkIsland."Tosatisfymyselfthattheflagwasreallyflying,Iwenttotheobservatory,andlookedforitthroughthelargeastronomicaltelescope,whenIplainlysawit.ButIwasimmediatelyconvincedthatitwasnottoannouncethearrivalofshipsfromEngland;forIcouldseenobodyneartheflagstaffexceptonesolitarybeing,whokeptstrollingaround,unmovedbywhathesaw.Iwellknewhowdifferentaneffectthesightofstrangeshipswouldproduce.
　　April,1790.Thegovernor,however,determinedtogodowntheharbour,andIbeggedpermissiontoaccompanyhim.Havingturnedapointabouthalfwaydown,weweresurprisedtoseeaboat,whichwasknowntobelongtothe'Supply',rowingtowardsus.Onnearerapproach,IsawcaptainBallmakeanextraordinarymotionwithhishand,whichtooplainlyindicatedthatsomethingdisastroushadhappened;andIcouldnothelpturningtothegovernor,nearwhomIsat,andsaying,"Sir,prepareyourselfforbadnews."Afewminuteschangeddoubtintocertainty;andtoourunspeakableconsternationwelearned,thatthe'Sirius'hadbeenwreckedonNorfolkIsland,onthe19thofFebruary.Happily,however,CaptainHunter,andeveryotherpersonbelongingtoher,weresaved.
　　Dismaywaspaintedoneverycountenance,whenthetidingswereproclaimedatSydney.ThemostdistractingapprehensionswereentertainedAllhopeswerenowconcentredinthelittle'Supply'.
　　Atsixo'clockintheevening,alltheofficersofthegarrison,bothcivilandmilitary,weresummonedtomeetthegovernorincouncil,whenthenatureofoursituationwasfullydiscussedandanaccountoftheprovisionsyetremaininginstorelaidbeforethecouncilbythecommissary.Thisaccountstated,thatonthepresentration*
　　thepublicstorescontainedsaltmeatsufficienttoserveuntilthe2ndofJuly,flouruntilthe20thofAugust,andrice,orpeaseinlieuofit,untilthe1stofOctober.
　　[*Seetherationofthe27thofMarch,afewpagesback.]
　　Severalregulationsforthemoreeffectualpreservationofgardens,andotherprivateproperty,wereproposed,andadoptedandaftersomeinterchangeofopinion,thefollowingrationwasdecreedtocommenceimmediately,avigorousexertiontoprolongexistence,orthechanceofrelief,beingallnowlefttous.
　　Twopoundsofpork,twopoundsandahalfofflour,twopoundsofrice,oraquartofpease,perweek,toeverygrownperson,andtoeverychildofmorethaneighteenmonthsold.
　　Toeverychildundereighteenmonthsold,thesamequantityofriceandflour,andonepoundofpork.**
　　[**Whentheageofthisprovisionisrecollected,itsinadequacywillmorestrikinglyappear.TheporkandricewerebroughtwithusfromEngland.
　　Theporkhadbeensaltedbetweenthreeandfouryears,andeverygrainofricewasamovingbody,fromtheinhabitantslodgedwithinit.
　　Wesoonleftoffboilingthepork,asithadbecomesooldanddry,thatitshrunkonehalfinitsdimensionswhensodressed.Ourusualmethodofcookingitwastocutoffthedailymorsel,andtoastitonaforkbeforethefire,catchingthedropswhichfellonasliceofbread,orinasaucerofrice.OurflourwastheremnantofwhatwasbroughtfromtheCape,bythe'Sirius',andwasgood.Insteadofbakingit,thesoldiersandconvictsusedtoboilitupwithgreens.]
　　Theimmediatedepartureofthe'Supply',forBatavia,wasalsodetermined.
　　Nordidourzealstophere.Thegovernorbeingresolvedtoemployalltheboats,publicandprivate,mprocuringfish——whichwasintendedtobeservedinlieuofsaltmeat——alltheofficers,civilandmilitary,includingtheclergyman,andthesurgeonsofthehospital,madethevoluntaryoffer,inadditiontotheirotherduties,togoalternatelyeverynightintheseboats,inordertoseethateveryexertionwasmade,andthatallthefishwhichmightbecaughtwasdepositedwiththecommissary.
　　Thebestmarksmenofthemarinesandconvictswerealsoselected,andputunderthecommandofatrustysergeant,withdirectionstorangethewoodsinsearchofkangaroos,whichwereordered,whenbroughtin,tobedeliveredtothecommissary.
　　Andasitwasjudgedthattheinevitablefatiguesofshootingandfishingcouldnotbesupportedonthecommonration,asmalladditionalquantityofflourandporkwasappropriatedtotheuseofthegame-keepers;andeachfisherman,whohadbeenoutduringtheprecedingnighthad,onhisreturninthemorning,apoundofuncleanedfishallowedforhisbreakfast.
　　Onthe17thinstant,the'Supply',captainBall,sailedforBatavia.
　　Wefollowedherwithanxiouseyesuntilshewasnolongervisible.
　　Trulydidwesaytoher"Inteomnisdomusinclinatarecumbit."Wewere,however,consoledbyreflecting,thateverythingwhichzeal,fortitude,andseamanship,couldproduce,wasconcentredinhercommander.
　　Ourbosomsconsequentlybecamelessperturbed;andallourlabourandattentionwereturnedononeobject——theprocuringoffood."Pride,pomp,andcircumstanceofgloriouswar"werenomore.
　　Thedistressofthelowerclassesforclotheswasalmostequaltotheirotherwants.Thestoreshadbeenlongexhausted,andwinterwasathand.
　　Nothingmoreludicrouscanbeconceivedthantheexpedientsofsubstituting,shifting,andpatching,whichingenuitydevised,toekeoutwretchedness,andpreservetheremainsofdecency.Thesuperiordexterityofthewomenwasparticularlyconspicuous.ManyaguardhaveIseenmount,inwhichthenumberofsoldierswithoutshoesexceededthatwhichhadyetpreservedremnantsofleather.
　　Norwasanotherpartofourdomesticeconomylesswhimsical.Ifaluckyman,whohadknockeddownadinnerwithhisgun,orcaughtafishbyanglingfromtherocks,invitedaneighbourtodinewithhim,theinvitationalwaysran,"bringyourownbread."Evenatthegovernor'stable,thiscustomwasconstantlyobserved.Everymanwhenhesatdownpulledhisbreadoutofhispocket,andlaiditbyhisplate.
　　Theinsufficiencyofourrationsoondiminishedourexecutionoflabour.
　　Bothsoldiersandconvictspleadedsuchlossofstrength,astofindthemselvesunabletoperformtheiraccustomedtasks.Thehoursofpublicworkwereaccordinglyshortenedor,rather,everymanwasorderedtodoasmuchashisstrengthwouldpermit,andeveryotherpossibleindulgencewasgranted.
　　May,1790.Inproportion,however,aslenityandmitigationwereextendedtoinabilityandhelplessness,inasmuchwasthemostrigorousjusticeexecutedondisturbersofthepublictranquillity.Personsdetectedinrobbinggardens,orpilferingprovisions,wereneverscreenedbecause,aseverymancouldpossess,byhisutmostexertions,butabaresufficiencytopreservelife*,hewhodeprivedhisneighbourofthatlittle,drovehimtodesperation.
　　Nonewlawsforthepunishmentoftheftwereenacted;butpersonsofalldescriptionswerepubliclywarned,thattheseverestpenalties,whichtheexistinglawinitsgreatestlatitudewouldauthorise,shouldbeinflictedonoffenders.Thefollowingsentenceofacourtofjustice,ofwhichIwasamember,onaconvictdetectedinagardenstealingpotatoes,willillustratethesubject.Hewasorderedtoreceivethreehundredlashesimmediately,tobechainedforsixmonthstotwoothercriminals,whowerethusfetteredforformeroffences,andtohavehisallowanceofflourstoppedforsixmonths.Sothatduringtheoperationofthesentence,twopoundsofpork,andtwopoundsofriceorinlieuofthelatter,aquartofpeaseperweek,constitutedhiswholesubsistence.
　　Suchwasthemelancholylengthtowhichwewerecompelledtostretchourpenalsystem.
　　[*Itspreservationinsomecaseswasfoundimpracticable.Threeorfourinstancesofpersonswhoperishedfromwanthavebeenrelatedtome.
　　Oneonly,however,fellwithinmyownobservation.Iwaspassingtheprovisionstore,whenaman,withawildhaggardcountenance,whohadjustreceivedhisdailypittancetocarryhome,cameout.
　　Hisfalteringgait,andeagerdevouringeye,ledmetowatchhim,andhehadnotproceededtenstepsbeforehefell.Iorderedhimtobecarriedtothehospital,where,whenhearrived,hewasfounddead.
　　Onopeningthebody,thecauseofdeathwaspronouncedtobeinanition.]
　　Farthertocontributetothedetectionofvillainy,aproclamation,offeringarewardofsixtypoundsofflour,moretemptingthantheoreofPeruorPotosi,waspromisedtoanyonewhoshouldapprehend,andbringtojustice,arobberofgardenground.
　　OurfriendBaneelon,duringthisseasonofscarcity,wasaswelltakencareofasourdesperatecircumstanceswouldallow.Weknewnothowtokeephim,andyetwereunwillingtopartwithhim.Hadhepenetratedourstate,perhapshemighthavegivenhiscountrymensuchadescriptionofourdiminishednumbers,anddiminishedstrength,aswouldhaveemboldenedthemtobecomemoretroublesome.Everyexpedientwasusedtokeephiminignorance.
　　Hisallowancewasregularlyreceivedbythegovernor'sservant,likethatofanyotherperson,buttherationofaweekwasinsufficienttohavekepthimforaday.Thedeficiencywassuppliedbyfishwheneveritcouldbeprocured,andalittleIndiancorn,whichhadbeenreservedwasgroundandappropriatedtohisuse.Inspiteofalltheseaids,wantoffoodhasbeenknowntomakehimfuriousandoftenmelancholy.
　　Thereisreasontobelievethathehadlongmeditatedhisescape,whichheeffectedinthenightofthe3rdinstant.Abouttwoo'clockinthemorning,hepretendedillness,andawakingtheservantwholayintheroomwithhim,beggedtogodownstairs.Theotherattendedhimwithoutsuspicionofhisdesign;andBaneelonnosoonerfoundhimselfinabackyard,thanhenimblyleapedoveraslightpaling,andbadeusadieu.
　　Thefollowingpublicorderwasissuedwithinthedateofthischapter,andistoopleasingaproofthatuniversaldepravitydidnotprevailamongtheconvicts,tobeomitted.
　　Thegovernor,inconsequenceoftheunremittedgoodbehaviourandmeritoriousconductofJohnIrving,ispleasedtoremittheremainderofthetermforwhichhewassentencedtotransportation.Heisthereforetobeconsideredasrestoredtoallthoserightsandprivileges,whichhadbeensuspendedinconsequenceofthesentenceofthelaw.Andassuch,heisherebyappointedtoactasanassistanttothesurgeonatNorfolkIsland.
　　CHAPTERVII
　　TransactionsoftheColonyinJune,July,andAugust,1790.
　　Atlengththecloudsofmisfortunebegantoseparate,andontheeveningofthe3rdofJune,thejoyfulcryof"theflag'sup"resoundedineverydirection.
　　Iwassittinginmyhut,musingonourfate,whenaconfusedclamourinthestreetdrewmyattention.Iopenedmydoor,andsawseveralwomenwithchildrenintheirarmsrunningtoandfrowithdistractedlooks,congratulatingeachother,andkissingtheirinfantswiththemostpassionateandextravagantmarksoffondness.Ineedednomore;butinstantlystartedout,andrantoahill,where,bytheassistanceofapocketglass,myhopeswererealized.Mynextdoorneighbour,abrother-officer,waswithme,butwecouldnotspeak.Wewrungeachotherbythehand,witheyesandheartsoverflowing.
　　Findingthatthegovernorintendedtogoimmediatelyinhisboatdowntheharbour,Ibeggedtobeofhisparty.
　　Asweproceeded,theobjectofourhopessoonappeared:alargeship,withEnglishcoloursflying,workingin,betweentheheadswhichformtheentranceoftheharbour.Thetumultuousstateofourmindsrepresentedherindanger;andwewereinagony.Soonafter,thegovernor,havingascertainedwhatshewas,leftus,andsteppedintoafishingboattoreturntoSydney.
　　Theweatherwaswetandtempestuousbutthebodyisdelicateonlywhenthesoulisatease.Wepushedthroughwindandrain,theanxietyofoursensationseverymomentredoubling.Atlastwereadtheword'London'
　　onherstern."Pullaway,mylads!SheisfromOldEngland!Afewstrokesmore,andweshallbeaboard!Hurrahforabellyfull,andnewsfromourfriends!"Suchwereourexhortationstotheboat'screw.
　　Afewminutescompletedourwishes,andwefoundourselvesonboardthe'LadyJuliana'transport,withtwohundredandtwenty-fiveofourcountrywomenwhomcrimeormisfortunehadcondemnedtoexile.Welearnedthattheyhadbeenalmostelevenmonthsontheirpassage,havingleftPlymouth,intowhichporttheyhadputinJuly,1789.Wecontinuedtoaskathousandquestionsonabreath.Stimulatedbycuriosity,theyinquiredinturn;
　　buttherightofbeingfirstanswered,wethought,layonourside.
　　"Letters,letters!"wasthecry.Theywereproduced,andtornopenintremblingagitation.Newsburstuponuslikemeridiansplendoronablindman.Wewereoverwhelmedwithit:public,private,general,andparticular.Norwasituntilsomedayshadelapsed,thatwewereabletomethodiseit,orreduceitintoform.Wenowheardforthefirsttimeofoursovereign'sillness,andhishappyrestorationtohealth.
　　TheFrenchrevolutionof1789,withalltheattendantcircumstancesofthatwonderfulandunexpectedevent,succeededtoamazeus*.Now,too,thedisasterwhichhadbefallenthe'Guardian',andtheliberalandenlargedplanonwhichshehadbeenstoredandfittedoutbygovernmentforouruse,waspromulged.Itservedalso,insomemeasure,toaccountwhywehadnotsoonerheardfromEngland.Forhadnotthe'Guardian'struckonanislandofice,shewouldprobablyhavereachedusthreemonthsbefore,andinthiscasehavepreventedthelossofthe'Sirius',althoughshehadsailedfromEnglandthreemonthsafterthe'LadyJuliana'.
　　[*Thesewordsbringtomymindananecdote,which,thoughratheroutofplace,Ishalloffernoapologyforintroducing.Amongotherinquiries,wewereanxioustolearnwhetherM.delaPeyrouse,withthetwoshipsunderhiscommand,boundonavoyageofdiscovery,hadarrivedinFrance.
　　Weheardwithconcern,thatnoaccountsofthemhadbeenreceived,sincetheyhadleftBotanyBay,inMarch,1788.Irememberwhentheywereatthatplace,onedayconversingwithMonsieurdelaPeyrouse,aboutthebestmethodoftreatingsavagepeople,"Sir"saidhe,"Ihavesometimesbeencompelledtocommithostilitiesuponthem,butneverwithoutsufferingthemostpoignantregret;for,independentofmyownfeelingsontheoccasion,hisMajesty'sLouisXVIlastwordstome,desaproprebouche,whenItookleaveofhimatVersailles,were:'Itismyexpressinjunction,thatyoualwaystreattheIndiannationswithkindnessandhumanity.
　　Gratifytheirwishes,andnever,butinacaseofthelastnecessity,whenself-defencerequiresit,shedhumanblood.'Arethesethesentimentsofatyrant,ofasanguinaryandperfidiousman?"
　　AgeneralthanksgivingtoAlmightyGod,forhisMajesty'srecovery,andhappyrestorationtohisfamilyandsubjects,wasorderedtobeoffereduponthefollowingWednesday,whenallpubliclabourwassuspended;
　　andeverypersoninthesettlementattendedatchurch,whereasermon,suitedtoanoccasion,atoncesofullofgratitudeandsolemnity,waspreachedbytheReverendRichardJohnson,chaplainofthecolony.
　　Alltheofficerswereafterwardsentertainedatdinnerbythegovernor.
　　Andintheevening,anaddresstohisexcellency,expressiveofcongratulationandloyalty,wasagreedupon;andintwodaysafterwaspresented,andverygraciouslyreceived.
　　Thefollowinginvitationtothenon-commissionedofficersandprivatesoldiersofthemarinebattalion,wasalsoaboutthistimepublished.
　　Inconsequenceoftheassurancethatwasgiventothenon-commissionedofficersandmenbelongingtothebattalionofmarines,ontheirembarkingfortheserviceofthiscountry,thatsuchofthemasshouldbehavewell,wouldbeallowedtoquittheservice,ontheirreturntoEngland;orbedischargedabroad,upontherelieftakingplace,andpermittedtosettleinthecountry——
　　HisMajestyhasbeengraciouslypleasedtodirectthefollowingencouragementtobehelduptosuchnon-commissionedofficersandprivates,asmaybedisposedtobecomesettlersinthiscountry,orinanyoftheislandscomprisedwithinthegovernmentofthecontinentofNewSouthWales,onthearrivalofthecorpsraisedandintendedfortheserviceofthiscolony,andfortheirrelief,viz:
　　Toeverynon-commissionedofficer,anallotmentofonehundredandthirtyacresofland,ifsingle,andofonehundredandfiftyacres,ifmarried.Toeveryprivatesoldier,anallotmentofeightyacres,ifsingle,andofonehundredacresifmarried;andalsoanallotmentoftenacresforeverychild,whetherofanon-commissionedofficer,orofaprivatesoldier.
　　Theseallotmentswillbefreeofallfines,taxes,quit-rents,andotheracknowledgments,forthespaceoftenyears;butaftertheexpirationofthatperiod,willbesubjecttoanannualquit-rentofoneshillingforeveryfiftyacres.
　　HisMajestyhaslikewisebeenfartherpleasedtosignifyhisroyalwillandpleasure,thatabountyofthreepoundsbeofferedtoeachnon-commissionedofficerandsoldier,whomaybedisposedtocontinueinthiscountry,andenlistinthecorpsappointedfortheserviceofNewSouthWales;withafartherassurance,thatincaseofaproperdemeanourontheirpart,theyshall,afterafartherserviceoffiveyears,beentitledtodoubletheformerportionofland,providedtheythenchoosetobecomesettlersinthecountry,freeofalltaxes,fines,andquit-rents,forthespaceoffifteenyears;
　　butafterthattime,tobesubjecttothebeforementionedannualquit-rentofoneshillingforeveryfiftyacres.
　　Andasafartherencouragementtothosemenwhomaybedesiroustobecomesettlers,andcontinueinthecountry,hisMajestyhasbeenlikewisepleasedtodirect,thateverymanshall,onbeingdischarged,receiveoutofthepublicstore,aportionofclothingandprovisions,sufficientforhissupportforoneyear;togetherwithasuitablequantityofseeds,grain,etc.forthetillageoftheland;andaportionoftoolsandimplementsofagriculture,properfortheiruse.Andwheneveranyman,whomaybecomeasettler,canmaintain,feed,andclothe,suchnumberofconvictsasmaybejudgednecessarybythegovernor,forthetimebeing,toassisthiminclearingandcultivatingtheland,theserviceofsuchconvictsshallbeassignedtohim.
　　Wewerejoyfullysurprisedonthe20thofthemonthtoseeanothersailentertheharbour.SheprovedtobetheJustiniantransport,commandedbyCaptainMaitland,andourrapturewasdoubledonfindingthatshewasladenentirelywithprovisionsforouruse.Fullallowance,andgeneralcongratulation,immediatelytookplace.ThisshiphadleftFalmouthonthepreceding20thofJanuary,andcompletedherpassageexactlyinfivemonths*.ShehadstaidatMadeiraoneday,andfouratSaoTiago,fromwhichlastplaceshehadsteereddirectlyforNewSouthWales,neglectingRiodeJaneiroonherright,andtheCapeofGoodHopeonherleft;
　　andnotwithstandingtheimmensetractofoceanshehadpassed,broughthercrewwithoutsicknessintoharbour.Whenthenoveltyandboldnessofsuchanattemptshallberecollected,toomuchpraise,onthespiritandactivityofMr.Maitland,cannotbebestowed.
　　[*Accidentonlypreventedherfrommakingitineighteendaysless,forshewastheninsightoftheharbour'smouth,whenanunpropitiousgaleofwindblewheroff.Otherwiseshewouldhavereachedusonedaysoonerthanthe'LadyJuliana'.Itisacuriouscircumstance,thatthesetwoshipshadsailedtogetherfromtheriverThames,oneboundtoPortJackson,andtheotherboundtoJamaica.TheJustiniancarriedhercargotothelastmentionedplace,landedit;andloadedafreshwithsugars,whichshereturnedwith,anddeliveredinLondon.Shewasthenhiredasatransport,reladen,andsailedforNewSouthWales.Letitberemembered,thatnomaterialaccidenthadhappenedtoeithervessel.Butwhatwillnotzealanddiligenceaccomplish!]
　　Goodfortunecontinuedtobefriendus.Beforetheendofthemonth,threemoretransports,havingonboardtwocompaniesoftheNewSouthWalescorps,arrivedtoaddtooursociety.Theseshipsalsobroughtoutalargebodyofconvicts,whosestateandsufferingswillbebestestimatedbythefollowingreturn.
　　NamesofNo.ofpeopleNo.ofpersonswhodiedNo.landedsickShipsembarkedonthepassageatPortJackson——
　　Neptune530163269
　　Surprise25242121
　　Scarborough2566896——
　　1038273486——
　　N.B.Ofthoselandedsick,onehundredandtwenty-fourdiedinthehospitalatSydney.
　　OnourpassagefromEngland,whichhadlastedmorethaneightmonthsandwithnearlyanequalnumberofpersons,onlytwenty-fourhaddied,andnotthirtywerelandedsick.Thedifferencecanbeaccountedfor,onlybycomparingthemannerinwhicheachfleetwasfittedoutandconducted.
　　Withustheprovisions,servedonboard,werelaidinbyacontractor,whosentadeputytoservethemout;anditbecameapartofdutyfortheofficersofthetroopstoinspecttheirquality,andtoorderthateveryonereceivedhisjustproportion.Whereas,inthefleetnowarrived,thedistributionofprovisionsrestedentirelywiththemastersofthemerchantmen,andtheofficerswereexpresslyforbiddentointerfereinanyshapefartherabouttheconvictsthantopreventtheirescape.
　　Seventeenpounds,infullofallexpense,wasthesumpaidbythepublicforthepassageofeachperson.Andthissumwascertainlycompetenttoaffordfairprofittothemerchantwhocontracted.Butthereisreasontobelieve,thatsomeofthosewhowereemployedtoactforhim,violatedeveryprincipleofjustice,andriotedonthespoilsofmisery,forwantofacontrollingpowertochecktheirenormities.Nodoubtcanbeentertained,thatahumaneandliberalgovernmentwillinterposeitsauthority,topreventtherepetitionofsuchflagitiousconduct.
　　Althoughtheconvictshadlandedfromtheseshipswitheverymarkofmeagremisery,yetitwassoonseen,thatawantofroom,inwhichmoreconveniencesmighthavebeenstowedfortheiruse,hadnotcausedit.Severalofthemastersofthetransportsimmediatelyopenedstores,andexposedlargequantitiesofgoodstosale,which,thoughatmostextortionateprices,wereeagerlyboughtup.
　　Suchwastheweaklystateofthenewcorners,thatforseveralweekslittlerealbenefittothecolonywasderivedfromsogreatanominaladditiontoournumber.However,asfastastheyrecovered,employmentwasimmediatelyassignedtothem.Theoldhoursoflabour,whichhadbeenreducedinourdistress,werere-established,andthemostvigorousmeasuresadoptedtogiveprosperitytothesettlement.Newbuildingswereimmediatelyplanned,andlargetractsofground,atRose-hill,orderedtobecleared,andpreparedforcultivation.Somesuperintendentswhohadarrivedinthefleet,andwerehiredbygovernmentforthepurposeofoverlookinganddirectingtheconvicts,werefoundextremelyserviceableinacceleratingtheprogressofimprovement.
　　July,1790.Thismonthwasmarkedbynothingworthcommunication,exceptamelancholyaccidentwhichbefellayounggentlemanofamiablecharacteroneofthemidshipmenlatelybelongingtothe'Sirius'
　　andtwomarines.Hewasinasmallboat,withthreemarines,intheharbour,whenawhalewasseennearthem.Sensibleoftheirdanger,theyusedeveryefforttoavoidthecauseofit,byrowinginacontrarydirectionfromthatwhichthefishseemedtotake,butthemonstersuddenlyaroseclosetothem,andnearlyfilledtheboatwithwater.Byexertingthemselves,theybaledherout,andagainsteeredfromit.Forsometimeitwasnotseen,andtheyconceivedthemselvessafe,when,risingimmediatelyundertheboat,itliftedhertotheheightofmanyyardsonitsback,whenceslippingoff,shedroppedasfromaprecipice,andimmediatelyfilledandsunk.
　　Themidshipmanandoneofthemarinesweresuckedintothevortexwhichthewhalehadmade,anddisappearedatonce.Thetwoothermarinesswamforthenearestshore,butoneonlyreachedit,torecountthefateofhiscompanions.
　　August,1790.Inthebeginningofthismonth,incompanywithMr.DawesandMr.Worgan,latesurgeonofthe'Sirius',IundertookanexpeditiontothesouthwardandwestwardofRoseHill,wherethecountryhadneverbeenexplored.Weremainedoutsevendays,andpenetratedtoaconsiderabledistanceinaS.S.W.direction,boundingourcourseataremarkablehill,towhich,fromitsconicalshape,wegavethenameofPyramid-hill.
　　ExceptthediscoveryofariverwhichisunquestionablytheNepeannearitssourcetowhichwegavethenameoftheWorgan,inhonourofoneofourparty,nothingveryinterestingwasremarked.
　　Towardstheendofthemonth,wemadeasecondexcursiontothenorth-westofRoseHill,whenweagainfellinwiththeNepean,andtracedittothespotwhereithadbeenfirstdiscoveredbythepartyofwhichIwasamember,fourteenmonthsbefore,examiningthecountryaswewentalong.
　　LittledoubtnowsubsistedthattheHawkesburyandNepeanwereoneriver.
　　WeundertookathirdexpeditionsoonaftertoBrokenBay,whichplacewefoundhadnotbeenexaggeratedindescription,whetheritscapaciousharbour,oritsdesolateincultivableshores,beconsidered.Onalltheseexcursionswebroughtaway,insmallbags,asmanyspecimensofthesoilofthecountrywehadpassedthrough,ascouldbeconvenientlycarried,inorderthatbyanalysisitsqualitiesmightbeascertained.
　　CHAPTERVIII.
　　TransactionsoftheColonyintheBeginningofSeptember,1790.
　　Thetremendousmonsterwhohadoccasionedtheunhappycatastrophejustrecordedwasfatedtobethecauseoffarthermischieftous.
　　Onthe7thinstant,CaptainNepean,oftheNewSouthWalesCorps,andMr.White,accompaniedbylittleNanbaree,andapartyofmen,wentinaboattoManlyCove,intendingtolandthere,andwalkontoBrokenBay.Ondrawingneartheshore,adeadwhale,inthemostdisgustingstateofputrefaction,wasseenlyingonthebeach,andatleasttwohundredIndianssurroundingit,broilingthefleshondifferentfires,andfeastingonitwiththemostextravagantmarksofgreedinessandrapture.
　　Astheboatcontinuedtoapproach,theywereobservedtofallintoconfusionandtopickuptheirspears,onwhichourpeoplelayupontheiroarsandNanbareesteppingforward,haranguedthemforsometime,assuringthemthatwewerefriends.Mr.WhitenowcalledforBaneelonwho,onhearinghisname,cameforth,andenteredintoconversation.Hewasgreatlyemaciated,andsofardisfiguredbyalongbeard,thatourpeoplenotwithoutdifficultyrecognizedtheiroldacquaintance.HisansweringinbrokenEnglish,andinquiringforthegovernor,however,sooncorrectedtheirdoubts.
　　Heseemedquitefriendly.AndsoonafterColbeecameup,pointingtohisleg,toshowthathehadfreedhimselffromthefetterwhichwasuponhim,whenhehadescapedfromus.
　　WhenBaneelonwastoldthatthegovernorwasnotfaroff,heexpressedgreatjoy,anddeclaredthathewouldimmediatelygoinsearchofhim,andifhefoundhimnot,wouldfollowhimtoSydney."Haveyoubroughtanyhatchetswithyou?"criedhe.Unluckilytheyhadnotanywhichtheychosetospare;buttwoorthreeshirts,somehandkerchiefs,knives,andothertrifles,weregiventothem,andseemedtosatisfy.Baneelon,willingtoinstructhiscountrymen,triedtoputonashirt,butmanageditsoawkwardly,thatamanofthenameofM'Entire,thegovernor'sgamekeeper,wasdirectedbyMr.Whitetoassisthim.Thisman,whowaswellknowntohim,hepositivelyforbadetoapproach,eyeinghimferociously,andwitheverymarkofhorrorandresentment.Hewasinconsequencelefttohimself,andtheconversationproceededasbefore.Thelengthofhisbeardseemedtoannoyhimmuch,andheexpressedeagerwishestobeshaved,askingrepeatedlyforarazor.Apairofscissorswasgiventohim,andheshewedhehadnotforgottenhowtousesuchaninstrument,forheforthwithbegantocliphishairwithit.
　　Duringthistime,thewomenandchildren,tothenumberofmorethanfifty,stoodatadistance,andrefusedallinvitations,whichcouldbeconveyedbysignsandgestures,toapproachnearer."Whichofthemisyouroldfavourite,Barangaroo,ofwhomyouusedtospeaksooften?"
　　"Oh,"saidhe,"sheisbecomethewifeofColbee!ButIhavegot'bullamureedeein'twolargewomentocompensateforherloss."
　　Itwasobservedthathehadreceivedtwowounds,inadditiontohisformernumerousones,sincehehadleftus;oneofthemfromaspear,whichhadpassedthroughthefleshypartofhisarm;andtheotherdisplayeditselfinalargescarabovehislefteye.Theywerebothhealed,andprobablywereacquiredintheconflictwhereinhehadassertedhispretensionstothetwoladies.
　　Nanbaree,allthiswhile,thoughhecontinuedtointerrogatehiscountrymen,andtointerpretonbothsides,shewedlittledesiretoreturntotheirsociety,andstuckveryclosetohisnewfriends.Onbeingaskedthecauseoftheirpresentmeeting,Baneelonpointedtothewhale,whichstunkimmoderately,andColbeemadesignals,thatitwascommonamongthemtocatuntilthestomachwassooverladenastooccasionsickness.
　　Theirdemandofhatchetsbeingre-iterated,notwithstandingourrefusal,theywereaskedwhytheyhadnotbroughtwiththemsomeoftheirown?
　　Theyexcusedthemselvesbysaying,thatonanoccasionofthepresentsort,theyalwaysleftthemathome,andcutupthewhalewiththeshellwhichisaffixedtotheendofthethrowing-stick.
　　Ourpartynowthoughtittimetoproceedontheiroriginalexpedition,andhavingtakenleaveoftheirsablefriends,rowedtosomedistance,wheretheylanded,andsetoutforBrokenBay,orderingthecoxswainoftheboat,inwhichtheyhadcomedown,togoimmediatelyandacquaintthegovernorofallthathadpassed.Whenthenativessawthattheboatwasabouttodepart,theycrowdedaroundher,andbroughtdown,bywayofpresent,threeorfourgreatjunksofthewhale,andputthemonboardofher,thelargestofwhich,Baneelonexpresslyrequestedmightbeoffered,inhisname,tothegovernor.
　　Ithappenedthathisexcellencyhadthisdaygonetoalandmark,whichwasbuildingontheSouth-head,neartheflag-staff,toserveasadirectiontoshipsatsea,andtheboatmethimonhisreturntoSydney.
　　Immediatelyonreceivingtheintelligence,hehastenedbacktotheSouth-head,andhavingprocuredallthefire-armswhichcouldbemusteredthere,consistingoffourmusketsandapistol,setout,attendedbyMr.CollinsandLieutenantWaterhouseofthenavy.
　　WhentheboatreachedManlyCove,thenativeswerefoundstillbusilyemployedaroundthewhale.Astheyexpressednotanyconsternationonseeingusrowtothebeach,governorPhillipsteppedoutunarmed,andattendedbyoneseamanonly,andcalledforBaneelon,whoappeared,but,notwithstandinghisformereagerness,wouldnotsuffertheothertoapproachhimforseveralminutes.
　　Gradually,however,hewarmedintofriendshipandfrankness,andpresentlyafterColbeecameup.Theydiscoursedforsometime,Baneelonexpressingpleasuretoseehisoldacquaintance,andinquiringbynameforeverypersonwhomhecouldrecollectatSydney;andamongothersforaFrenchcook,oneofthegovernor'sservants,whomhehadconstantlymadethebuttofhisridicule,bymimickinghisvoice,gait,andotherpeculiarities,allofwhichheagainwentthroughwithhiswontedexactnessanddrollery.
　　Heaskedalsoparticularlyforaladyfromwhomhehadonceventuredtosnatchakiss;andonbeingtoldthatshewaswell,bywayofprovingthatthetokenwasfreshinhisremembrance,hekissedLieutenantWaterhouse,andlaughedaloud.Onhiswoundsbeingnoticed,hecoldlysaid,thathehadreceivedthematBotanyBay,butwentnofartherintotheirhistory.