A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson | Page 7

destroying
our people, in the manner I have related. Boats were accordingly
ordered to be got ready, and every preparation made, which could lead
to the attainment of our object.
But as this subject deserves to be particularly detailed, I shall,
notwithstanding its being just within the period of time which this
chapter professes to comprise, allot it a separate place, in the beginning
of the next.
Nor can I close this part of my work without congratulating both the
reader and the author. New matter now presents itself. A considerable
part of the foregoing chapters had been related before, either by others
or myself. I was however, unavoidably compelled to insert it, in order
to preserve unbroken that chain of detail, and perspicuity of
arrangement, at which books professing to convey information should
especially aim.

CHAPTER III.

Transactions of the Colony, from the Commencement of the Year 1789,
until the End of March.
Pursuant to his resolution, the governor on the 31st of December sent
two boats, under the command of Lieutenant Ball of the 'Supply', and
Lieutenant George Johnston of the marines, down the harbour, with
directions to those officers to seize and carry off some of the natives.
The boats proceeded to Manly Cove, where several Indians were seen
standing on the beach, who were enticed by courteous behaviour and a
few presents to enter into conversation. A proper opportunity being
presented, our people rushed in among them, and seized two men: the
rest fled; but the cries of the captives soon brought them back, with
many others, to their rescue: and so desperate were their struggles, that,
in spite of every effort on our side, only one of them was secured; the
other effected his escape. The boats put off without delay; and an attack
from the shore instantly commenced: they threw spears, stones,
firebrands, and whatever else presented itself, at the boats; nor did they
retreat, agreeable to their former custom, until many musquets were
fired over them.
The prisoner was now fastened by ropes to the thwarts of the boat; and
when he saw himself irretrievably disparted from his countrymen, set
up the most piercing and lamentable cries of distress. His grief,
however, soon diminished: he accepted and ate of some broiled fish
which was given to him, and sullenly submitted to his destiny.
When the news of his arrival at Sydney was announced, I went with
every other person to see him: he appeared to be about thirty years old,
not tall, but robustly made; and of a countenance which, under happier
circumstances, I thought would display manliness and sensibility; his
agitation was excessive, and the clamourous crowds who flocked
around him did not contribute to lessen it. Curiosity and observation
seemed, nevertheless, not to have wholly deserted him; he shewed the
effect of novelty upon ignorance; he wondered at all he saw: though
broken and interrupted with dismay, his voice was soft and musical,
when its natural tone could be heard; and he readily pronounced with
tolerable accuracy the names of things which were taught him. To our
ladies he quickly became extraordinarily courteous, a sure sign that his
terror was wearing off.
Every blandishment was used to soothe him, and it had its effect. As he

was entering the governor's house, some one touched a small bell
which hung over the door: he started with horror and astonishment; but
in a moment after was reconciled to the noise, and laughed at the cause
of his perturbation. When pictures were shown to him, he knew directly
those which represented the human figure: among others, a very large
handsome print of her royal highness the Dutchess of Cumberland
being produced, he called out 'woman', a name by which we had just
before taught him to call the female convicts. Plates of birds and beasts
were also laid before him; and many people were led to believe, that
such as he spoke about and pointed to were known to him. But this
must have been an erroneous conjecture, for the elephant, rhinoceros,
and several others, which we must have discovered did they exist in the
country, were of the number. Again, on the other hand, those he did not
point out, were equally unknown to him.
His curiosity here being satiated, we took him to a large brick house,
which was building for the governor's residence: being about to enter,
he cast up his eyes, and seeing some people leaning out of a window on
the first story, he exclaimed aloud, and testified the most extravagant
surprise. Nothing here was observed to fix his attention so strongly as
some tame fowls, who were feeding near him: our dogs also he
particularly noticed; but seemed more fearful than fond of them.
He dined at a side-table