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第16章

a complete account of the settlement-第16章

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chet; and the only one which I had brought with me was already disposed of to the man who had pointed my spear。  In vain did I tempt him with a knife; a handkerchief; and a hat; nothing but a hatchet seemed to be regarded。 'Bulla mogo parrabugo' (two hatchets to…morrow) I repeatedly cried; but having probably experienced our insincerity; he rejected the proposal with disdain。 Finding him inflexible; and longing to possess the spear; I told him at length that I would go to Sydney and fetch what he required。  This seemed to satisfy; and he accompanied me to my boat; in which I went away; and as quickly as possible procured what was necessary to conclude the bargain。 On my return; I was surprised to see all our boats rowing towards home; and with them a canoe; in which sat two Indians paddling。  I pulled to them; and found that Baneelon; and another Indian; were in one of the boats; and that the whole formed a party going over to visit the governor。 I now learned; that during my absence; the governor had passed in a boat; on his return from Rose Hill; near the place where they were standing; and that finding he would not come to them; although they had called to him to do so; they had at once determined to venture themselves unreservedly among us。  One of the men in the canoe was the person to whom I was to give the hatchet I had been to fetch; and directly as he saw me; he held up his spear; and the exchange took place; with which; and perhaps to reward me for the trouble I had taken; he was so delighted that he presented me with a throwing…stick 'gratis'。

Not seeing Barangaroo of the party; I asked for her; and was informed that she had violently opposed Baneelon's departure。  When she found persuasion vain; she had recourse to tears; scolding; and threats; stamping the ground; and tearing her hair。  But Baneelon continuing determined; she snatched up in her rage one of his fish…gigs; and dashed it with such fury on the rocks; that it broke。  To quiet her apprehensions on the score of her husband's safety; Mr。 Johnson; attended by Abaroo; agreed to remain as a hostage until Baneelon should return。

We landed our four friends opposite the hospital; and set out for the governor's house。  On hearing of their arrival; such numbers flocked to view them that we were apprehensive the crowd of persons would alarm them; but they had left their fears behind; and marched on with boldness and unconcern。  When we reached the governor's house; Baneelon expressed honest joy to see his old friend; and appeared pleased to find that he had recovered of his wound。  The governor asked for Wileemarin; and they said he was at Broken Bay。  Some bread and beef were distributed among them but unluckily no fish was to be procured; which we were sorry for; as a promise of it had been one of the leading temptations by which they had been allured over。  A hatchet apiece was; however; given to them; and a couple of petticoats and some fishing tackle sent for Barangaroo; and the other woman。

The ceremony of introduction being finished; Baneelon seemed to consider himself quite at home; running from room to room with his companions; and introducing them to his old friends; the domestics; in the most familiar manner。  Among these last; he particularly distinguished the governor's orderly sergeant; whom he kissed with great affection; and a woman who attended in the kitchen; but the gamekeeper; M'Entire*; he continued to hold in abhorrence; and would not suffer his approach。

'*Look at the account of the governor being wounded; when his detestation of this man burst forth。'

Nor was his importance to his countrymen less conspicuous in other respects。 He undertook to explain the use and nature of those things which were new to them。  Some of his explanations were whimsical enough。  Seeing; for instance; a pair of snuffers; he told them that they were 〃Nuffer* for candle;〃which the others not comprehending; he opened the snuffers; and holding up the fore…finger of his left hand; to represent a candle; made the motion of snuffing it。  Finding; that even this sagacious interpretation failed; he threw down the snuffers in a rage; and reproaching their stupidity; walked away。

'*The S is a letter which they cannot pronounce; having no sound in their language similar to it。  When bidden to pronounce sun; they always say tun; salt; talt; and so of all words wherein it occurs。'

It was observed; that a soft gentle tone of voice; which we had taught him to use; was forgotten; and his native vociferation returned in full force。 But the tenderness which (like Arabanoo) he had always manifested to children; he still retained; as appeared by his behaviour to those who were presented to him。

The first wish they expressed to return; was complied with; in order to banish all appearance of constraint; the party who had conducted them to Sydney returning with them。  When we reached the opposite shore; we found Abaroo and the other woman fishing in a canoe; and Mr。 Johnson and Barangaroo sitting at the fire; the latter employed in manufacturing fish…hooks。  At a little distance; on an adjoining eminence; sat an Indian; with his spear in his hand; as if sentinel over the hostages; for the security of his countrymen's return。 During our absence; Barangaroo had never ceased whining; and reproaching her husband。  Now that he was returned; she met him with unconcern; and seemed intent on her work only; but this state of repose did not long continue。  Baneelon; eyeing the broken fish…gig; cast at her a look of savage fury and began to interrogate her; and it seemed more than probable that the remaining part would be demolished about her head had we not interposed to pacify him。  Nor would we quit the place until his forgiveness was complete; and his good humour restored。  No sooner; however; did she find her husband's rage subsided; than her hour of triumph commenced。 The alarm and trepidation she had manifested disappeared。  Elated at his condescension; and emboldened by our presence and the finery in which we had decked her; she in turn assumed a haughty demeanour; refused to answer his caresses; and viewed him with a reproaching eye。  Although long absence from female society had somewhat blunted our recollection; the conduct of Barangaroo did not appear quite novel to us; nor was our surprise very violent at finding that it succeeded in subduing Baneelon who; when we parted; seemed anxious only to please her。

Thus ended a day; the events of which served to complete what an unhappy accident had begun。  From this time our intercourse with the natives; though partially interrupted; was never broken off。  We gradually continued; henceforth; to gain knowledge of their customs and policy; the only knowledge which can lead to a just estimate of national character。




CHAPTER X。



The arrival of the 'Supply' from Batavia; the State of the Colony in November; 1790。


Joy sparkled in every countenance to see our old friend the 'Supply' (I hope no reader will be so captious as to quarrel with the phrase) enter the harbour from Batavia on the 19th of October。  We had witnessed her departure with tears; we hailed her return with transport。

Captain Ball was rather more than six months in making this voyage; and is the first person who ever circumnavigated the continent of New Holland。 On his passage to Batavia; he had discovered several islands; which he gave names to and; after fighting his way against adverse elements and through unexplored dangers; safely reached his destined port。  He had well stored his little bark with every necessary and conveniency which he judged we should first want; leaving a cargo of rice and salt provisions to be brought on by a Dutch snow; which he had hired and freighted for the use of the settlement。  While at Batavia; the 'Supply' had lost many of her people by sickness; and left several others in the general hospital at that place。

As the arrival of the 'Supply' naturally leads the attention from other subjects to the state of the colony; I shall here take a review of it by transcribing a statement drawn from actual observation soon after; exactly as I find it written in my journal。

Cultivation; on a public scale; has for som

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