TRANSACTIONS AT PORT JACKSON
August 1790 to October 1790
-An excursion into the country.--An interview
with the natives.--Governor Phillip wounded with a spear.--A
second interview with the natives.--Occurrences on that
occasion.--Five convicts effect their escape in a boat.--The
settlement visited by the natives.--Their customs.--Arrival of
the Supply from Batavia.-
Towards the latter end of August, 1790, several officers made
an excursion into the country, and going south-south-west
from-Prospect-Hill for twenty miles, they came to a run of water,
which they supposed to be the head of the Nepean river. They
described the country through which they passed to be good land
for ten miles, the rest ordinary ground, intersected by deep
ravines and a large marsh, which they supposed, formed a very
extensive piece of water, after heavy rains.
A number of convicts going out to search for sweet tea, some
of them separated from the rest, and were lost in the woods for
several days, and one of them was never heard of afterwards. It
is hardly possible to conceive the obstinacy and inattention of
many of these people, even in matters which concern only their
own safety.
In the morning of the 7th of September, Governor Phillip went
down the harbour to fix on a spot for raising a brick column,
which might point out the entrance to ships which were
unacquainted with the coast, as the flag-staff could not be seen
by vessels until they drew very near the land, and was also
liable to be blown down.
A rising ground at the distance of a cable's length from the
south head was chosen, and the stone necessary for the base of
the column being already cut, that work was immediately begun,
and the party were returning to Sydney, when the governor was
informed by some officers, who had landed in Manly-Bay, and who
were going on a shooting excursion, that they had seen
-Bannelong_, a native who had ran away from the settlement,
and who had enquired after all his friends, and received several
presents. It seems Bannelong, and _Colebe_, another native
who had escaped from the settlement, with near two hundred
others, were assembled in Manly-Bay to feast on a dead whale
which was lying on the beach. Bannelong sent a large piece of it
to the governor, as a present, which the sailors had in the boat:
he was very glad to see those he knew of the party, particularly
a native boy named _Nanbarre_, but seemed afraid of being
retaken, and would not permit any one to come so near as to lay
their hands on him.
As Governor Phillip had always been desirous of meeting with
this man, and had sought an opportunity from the day he left his
house, he returned to the look-out, and collecting every little
thing which was likely to please him, went to the spot where he
had been seen. Several natives appeared on the beach as the
governor's boat rowed into the bay, but on its nearer approach,
they retired amongst the trees.
It had ever been the governor's opinion, and what he had
observed of these people confirmed it, that the best means of
obtaining the confidence of a native was by example, and by
placing confidence in him; with this purpose, he left the
judge-advocate and Lieutenant Water-house, who had accompanied
him in the boat, and landed himself, followed only by a seaman
who had some beef and bread, with a few other articles which he
was desirous of giving to such of the natives as might join him:
after calling repeatedly on his old acquaintance by all his
names, he was answered by a native who appeared with several
others at a distance, and as he increased his distance from the
boat, the native approached nearer, and took a number of little
presents, on their being laid down at the distance of a few
paces; but he would not come near the governor, although in
answer to the question--"where was Banne-long?" he repeatedly
said he was the man; this, however, could not be believed, as he
was so much altered: at length a bottle was held up, and on his
being asked, what it was in his own language, he answered,
"_the King_;" for as he had always heard his Majesty's
health drank in the first glass after dinner at the governor's
table, and had been made to repeat the word before the drank his
own glass of wine, he supposed the liquor was named "the King;"
and though he afterwards knew it was called wine, yet he would
frequently call it King.
This convinced the governor that it could be no other than
Bannelong, and every method was tried to entice him to come near,
but he always retired on their approaching him nearer than he
wished, so that they were presently out of sight of the boat,
though at no great distance from it; but on eight or ten of the
natives placing themselves in a situation to prevent Bannelong
being carried off, had it been attempted, he came up, together
with Colebe, and held out his hand; but he was so changed, and
appeared so poor and miserable, that even then there was a doubt
whether he were the man, though Colebe was well known.
After some conversation, Governor Phillip went down to the
beach, and the two officers came on shore; the boat's crew, with
the arms, were still in the boat, for as the natives kept the
position they had taken, which showed they were under some
apprehensions, he was afraid of alarming them. Bannelong appeared
glad to see his old acquaintances; he was very chearful, and
repeatedly shook hands with them, asking for hatchets and
cloaths, which were promised to be brought him in two days: he
pointed to a small fire which was burning near them, and said he
should sleep there the two nights until the governor's return.
Knives, hats, and various other articles were given to him and
Colebe; and the latter, laughing, showed them that he had got the
iron from his leg by which he had been secured when at the
settlement: he also seemed glad to see his former acquaintances,
and made himself very merry at the manner of his friend
Bannelong's getting away from Sydney, by laying his head on his
hand, shutting his eyes, and saying, "Governor _nangorar_,"
(asleep) and imitating the manner in which his companion had ran
off.
The governor and his party now began to retire towards the
beach, when they were joined by a stout, corpulent native who had
been for some time standing at a small distance; he approached
them under strong marks of fear, but this soon subsided on his
being treated in a friendly manner, and he became very
conversable: he showed them a wound he had received in his back
with a spear; Bannelong also was desirous of showing that he had
been wounded in various parts of the body since he left the
settlement; one of his wounds was made with a spear which went
through his left arm, and was pretty well healed, but another
dangerous one over the left eye was not in so good a state: these
wounds, he said, were received at Botany-Bay.
After a pretty long conversation, our party were going away,
but they were detained by Bannelong, who was still solicitous to
talk about the hatchets and cloaths he was to have sent him in
two days, and a native who had been standing for some time at the
distance of twenty or thirty yards, was pointed out by him in a
manner which showed he wished him to be taken notice of; on this,
the governor advanced towards him; and on the man's making signs
that he should not come near, and appearing to be afraid, he
threw his sword down, still advancing towards him, at the same
time opening his hands to show that he had no arms.
In the course of this interview, they had stopped near a spear
which was lying on the grass, and which Bannelong took up; it was
longer than common, and appeared to be a very curious one, being
barbed and pointed with hard wood; this exciting Governor
Phillip's curiosity, he asked Bannelong for it; but instead of
complying with this request, he took it where the stranger was
standing, threw it down, and taking a common short spear from a
native who, with several others, stood at some distance behind
him, he presented that and a club to the governor, which gave
reason to suppose that the spear which had been asked for did not
belong to him. As Governor Phillip advanced towards the man whose
fears he wished to remove, he took up the spear in question, and
fixing it in a throwing-stick, appeared to stand on his defence;
but as there was no reason to suppose he would throw it without
the least provocation, and when he was so near those with whom
our party were on such friendly terms, the governor made a sign
for him to lay it down, and continued to approach him, at the
same time repeating the words---weree weree_, which the
natives use when they wish any thing not to be done that
displeases them.
Notwithstanding this, the native, stepping back with his right
leg, threw the spear with great violence, and it struck against
Governor Phillip's collar bone, close to which it entered, and
the barb came out close to the third vertebrae of the back.
Immediately after throwing the spear, the native ran off, as did
Bannelong and Colebe, with those that were standing to the right
and left; and the latter, in their retreat, threw several spears,
which, however, did no farther mischief.
As bringing any arms on shore would probably have prevented an
interview taking place, the musquets had been left in the boat;
but the governor having a pistol in his pocket, he discharged it
as he went down to the beach, as several of the natives stopped
at no great distance, and the cockswain coming up at the same
instant, fired a musquet, though there was no reason to apprehend
the natives meant to molest them any farther.
The conduct of this savage may be supposed to do away any idea
that had been formed of the natives not abusing a confidence
placed in them; and yet, there is no great reason to draw that
inference from the accident just mentioned; for, it should be
remembered that the man who wounded Governor Phillip was a
stranger, and might fear their taking him away, as they had
carried off others; against which he might not think their
numbers a sufficient security; besides, he had not joined the
party, nor probably thought the friendship, which-subsisted
between them and others of a different tribe, any way binding on
him; for it is supposed the different tribes are in every respect
perfectly independant of each other. This man had stood for some
time peaceably and quietly, and the governor certainly was more
in his power before he went to call the officers out of the boat,
than at the time the spear was thrown; it is therefore most
likely that the action proceeded from a momentary impulse of
fear; but the behaviour of Bannelong on this occasion is not so
easily to be accounted for; he never attempted to interfere when
the man took the spear up, or said a single word to prevent him
from throwing it; he possibly did not think the spear would be
thrown, and the whole was but the business of a moment.
A few minutes before this affair happened, nineteen of the
natives had been counted round our party, and the position they
took showed their judgment: on the ground where Bannelong and
Colebe joined them, the trees stood at the distance of forty or
fifty feet from each other, and, had the natives kept together,
shelter might have been found from their spears behind a tree;
but whilst four of them remained in front, at the distance of
forty yards, four or five others placed themselves on the right,
and the same number on the left, at about the same distance;
others again were planted between them and the beach, at the
distance of ten or fifteen yards, which rendered it impossible
either to carry off their companions or to gain shelter from
their spears, if hostilities commenced; and though these people
do not always keep their spears in their hands, they are seldom
without their throwing-sticks, and generally have a spear lying
near them in the grass, which they move with their feet as they
change their ground: however, it is not likely that this
disposition was made with any bad intention, but merely as a
security for Bannelong and Colebe; indeed, these men directed the
manoeuvre and waited till it was made, before they came near
enough to shake hands.
It may naturally be supposed that many would be desirous of
punishing what was generally deemed an act of treachery, but
Governor Phillip did not see the transaction in that light, and
as soon as he arrived at Sydney, he gave the necessary directions
to prevent any of the natives being fired on, unless they were
the aggressors, by throwing spears; and, in order to prevent the
party who were out on a shooting excursion from meeting with an
attack of a similar nature, an officer and some soldiers were
sent after them: they returned the next day, and coming by the
place where the accident happened, some of the natives appeared
on an eminence; on their being asked who had wounded the
governor, they named a man, or a tribe, who resided to the
northward: the boy, Nanbarre, was their interpreter, and he said
the man's name was _Caregal_, and that he lived at, or near
Broken-Bay. Nanbarre was also directed to enquire after Bannelong
and Colebe, and those to whom the question was put, pointed to
some people at a distance.
One of these natives threw a spear to an officer who asked for
it, and this he did in such a manner that very particularly
marked the care he took it should not fall near any person.
It may be thought remarkable that, after what had happened,
the natives should appear in the fight of seventeen armed men;
and what was more extraordinary, the cockswains of the two boats
which lay at anchor all night near the beach, with several
soldiers in them, said, that after the party they landed were
gone off, the natives returned, made up some fires, and slept
there all night; but, as the officer who went to bring home the
party that were out a shooting, found by the marks on the sand,
when he was returning the next morning, that he had been followed
by three men and a dog, it is probable that they had others
looking out likewise, and had the boats approached the beach in
the night, they would have immediately fled into the woods.
It was Governor Phillip's intention, as soon as he should be
able to go out, to endeavour to find Bannelong, and, if possible,
to have the man given up who wounded him, or some of his tribe;
not with a view of inflicting any punishment, but of detaining
one or more of these people till they understood each other's
language.
Some days after this affair, as several officers were going
down the harbour, they saw some natives, and amongst them
Bannelong and his wife; on this, the boat's head was put to the
rocks, and he came down, shook hands with several of the party,
and enquired if the governor was dead; they told him no; on which
he promised to come and see him; said he had beat the man who
wounded him, and whose name he told them was
-Wil-le-me-ring_, of the tribe of Kay-yee-my, the place were
the governor was wounded.
The native boy and girl were in the boat, and through them
this conversation was held: the girl pointed out one of the
natives who she said was her father: none of these people showed
any signs of fear, though they saw the officers were armed, and
the girl was very desirous of remaining with them; she was now of
an age to want to form a connection with the other sex, which she
had no opportunity of doing in the clergyman's family where she
lived, and very innocently told him, when she asked to go away,
that she wanted to be married. As it would be difficult to
prevent her getting away, if she was determined to go, it was
thought most prudent to consent to her leaving the settlement,
and she was told that she would be permitted to go, and to take
all her cloaths with her; and that whenever she chose to come and
see her friends, whatever she wished for should be given her; at
the same time, several reasons were urged, that were likely to
induce her to remain in her present situation a few months
longer, as she did not sufficiently understand the language to
explain their intentions towards the natives so sully as could
have been wished.
On the 16th of September, a shoal of fish appeared on the
coast, which extended as far as the eye could reach, and part of
them entering the harbour, as many were caught at two hauls with
the seine, as served the whole settlement: there were not less
than three thousand, which, on an average, weighed about five
pounds each. As a party were going to visit Bannelong, some fish
were sent him, which he received, and appeared free from any
apprehensions; and the same afternoon, the commissary and
Governor Phillip's orderly serjeant, for whom he had always
showed great friendship, went with an additional supply: they
found him on the rocks with his wife, who was fishing, and though
on their first approach he ran into the woods, yet as soon as he
knew them he returned, and joined them when they landed, bringing
down his wife, as he had done to those who visited him before,
and on these occasions, he showed that he was still fond of a
glass of wine.
Governor Phillip was so well recovered of his wound, as to be
able to go in a boat on the 17th, to the place where Bannelong
and his wife then resided: he found nine natives on the spot, who
informed him that Bannelong was out a fishing; the native girl
was in the boat, and her father being among the natives, a
hatchet and some fish were given him; in return for which, he
gave the governor a short spear that had been pointed with a
knife, which the natives now used when they could procure one, in
preference to the shell.
The party had just left these people, and were going farther
in quest of Bannelong, when they perceived four canoes coming
towards them, in one of which was the person they wanted; on this
they returned to the Cove. As soon as Bannelong had laid up his
canoe, he came to the boat, and held up both his hands, to show
that he had no arms: presently afterwards, the party landed, and
he joined them very readily, asked Governor Phillip where he was
wounded, and said that he had beat the man who wounded him, and
whose name he repeated: being told that the man would be killed
for this treacherous action, he desired it might be done. A
hatchet, some fishing-lines, and several other articles were
given him, and he wanted to have some presents that were brought
for his wife _Ba-rang-aroo_, but this being refused, he
readily went to fetch her: a petticoat, and several other little
presents were given to the lady, and a red jacket with a silver
epaulet, which Bannelong used to wear when at the settlement,
were now given him, which pleased him more than any thing
else.
On being asked to dine with Governor Phillip the next day, he
readily consented, and promised to bring his wife: he likewise
pointed out a youth and two men to whom hatchets had been given,
and said he would bring them with him also.
Bannelong's wife, Ba-rang-aroo, appeared to be older than
himself, and had had two children by a former husband, both of
which were dead: this probably was the woman he had so often
mentioned when at the settlement, and whom he had taken as a wife
since he left it; she likewise had been twice wounded by spears,
one of which had passed through her thigh.
Though Bannelong probably might be glad that Governor Phillip
was not killed, yet there is not doubt but that the natives throw
their spears, and take a life in their quarrels, which are very
frequent, as readily as the lower class of people in England
strip to box, and think as little of the consequences.
Mau-go-ran, the father of the native girl who lived with the
clergyman, bad a bad wound on the back of his head, which he told
the surgeon who dressed it, was done by a spear: it seems a
dispute had taken place amongst these people, about sharing the
whale, in which several lives were lost, and this man got his
wound; and on the girl naming to her father a youth at
-Kay-yee-my_, who she said would marry her, he told her not
to go there, for they had quarrelled, and would throw spears, and
that they would also throw spears at any white man; indeed, if
this man's information could be depended on, the natives were
very angry at so many people being sent to Rose-hill; certain it
is, that wherever our colonists fix themselves, the natives are
obliged to leave that part of the country.
The weather being now very dry, the natives were employed in
burning the grass on the north shore opposite to Sydney, in order
to catch rats and other animals, whilst the women were employed
in fishing: this is their constant practice in dry weather.
Though Bannelong did not pay Governor Phillip a visit, as he
had promised, he readily joined those he saw in different parts
of the harbour, notwithstanding they were armed, and went in his
canoe to the longboat, though he saw several musquets in her: his
wife was along with him in the canoe, and he gave those in the
boat to understand that he would pay the governor a visit;
probably the fear of being detained had hitherto prevented him,
but whilst there was the least chance of his coming voluntarily,
Governor Phillip was not willing to take him a second time by
force, as it was likely he would soon be reconciled to pass a
considerable part of his time at Sydnev, when he found he could
be his own master, and go and come when he pleased.
On the 19th, Governor Phillip went to Rose-hill and returned
to Sydney in the evening. The corn looked better than could be
expected; but, the earth was so parched up by the dry weather
that they could not get the remainder of their Indian corn into
the ground until some rain fell. The weather for the last
fortnight had frequently been cloudy and unsettled, and some
light showers of rain had fallen at different times, but very
little compared to what the ground required, or what might have
been expected at this season. In the night of the 24th it began
to rain, and some smart showers fell the next day, which enabled
them to sow the remainder of their Indian corn; it was also of
great service to the wheat and the vegetables in the gardens.
The column intended as a mark for the entrance of the harbour
was now finished; it stands (as has already been observed,) on a
cliff, a cable's length from the south-head: it is a brick column
on a stone base, and rises to the height of thirty feet.
In the night of the 26th of September, five convicts took a
punt from Rose-Hill, in which they came down to the look-out,
where they exchanged the punt for a four-oared boat, and got off
undiscovered. These people certainly meant to go along the coast
to the northward, and to attempt getting to some of the Friendly
islands; but this project must be almost impossible, and there
was every reason to suppose they would perish in a very few
days.
As Governor Phillip and a party were going to Rose-Hill
towards the latter end of September, a native was seen on one of
the points; and being asked where Bannelong was, he replied,
-Memilla_ (at Memill): on this, they rowed up to the island,
and when they drew near the rocks, Bannelong came down to the
boat, and brought his wife without the least appearance of fear,
though they were the only persons on the island. There was no
fish in the boat, but they were glad of some bread, and presently
afterwards the governor and his party left them, and from the
confidence Bannelong now placed in his visitors, there was no
doubt but he would soon come to the settlement as usual. On the
governor's return, two days after this meeting, Bannelong had
left the island. The governor again went to Rose-Hill on the 6th
of October, and on his return he was repeatedly called to by
Bannelong, who was on the north shore with several officers; and
the surgeon, in whom he placed great confidence, being of the
party, persuaded him to come over to the governor: he brought
three natives in his canoe, and they were all well pleased with
hatchets and fishing-lines which were given them. It seems
Bannelong's wife had opposed his coming, and finding her tears
had no effect, she flew into a violent passion, and broke a very
fine fiz-gig, for which she would probably have been very
severely chastised on her husband's return, but for the
interference of the surgeon, who carried these people back to
their cave on the north shore, where they intended to reside for
some time.
Bannelong appeared very much at his ease, and not under the
least apprehension of being detained; promising, when he went
away, to bring his wife over, which he did two days afterwards:
his sister and two men came likewise, and a third soon followed:
blankets, and some cloathing were given them, and each had a
belly-full of fish; Bannelong sat down to dinner with Governor
Phillip, and drank his wine and coffee as usual.
The governor bought a spear from one of his visitants, and
endeavoured to make them understand that spears, lines, birds, or
any thing they brought should always be purchased; at the same
time he promised Bannelong a shield, for which he was to bring a
spear in return, as accustoming these people to barter was judged
the most likely means of bringing them to reside amongst the
colonists. The next day, a large party came over for the shield,
but it was not finished: two men of this party were owned by the
native girl, who lived with the clergyman, as her brothers, and
for whom she procured two hatchets, which appeared to be the most
valuable articles that could be given them. When Bannelong came
for his present, those who accompanied him, after staying a short
time, went away, but he staid dinner, and left the place highly
delighted with his shield, which being made of sole leather and
covered with tin, was likely to resist the force of their
spears.
As it was late in the afternoon before Bannelong thought of
departing, his wife and sister, with two men, came over in their
canoes to fetch him, so that there was every appearance of these
people being perfectly reconciled, and no doubt could be
entertained but that they would visit the settlement as
frequently as could be wished.
Some days after this interview, a canoe with Bannelong's
sister and several young people coming to one of the points of
the cove, the girl who had now lived seventeen months with the
clergyman's wife, joined them, and was so desirous of going away
that it was consented to: the next day she was seen naked in a
canoe, but she put on a petticoat before she joined the clergyman
and some others who went to visit her; she appeared to be pleased
with having her liberty, and the boy, Nanbarre, who was of the
party that went to see her, now wished to stay with the natives
all night; he was left behind, but the next morning he returned
to the surgeon, with whom he lived, and having fared but badly,
did not seem inclined to go to them again.
The very little rain, which had fallen since the latter end of
June, had destroyed all their hopes of good crops, and which they
had every reason to expect till the beginning of September: at
present, there was the appearance of rain, though it was feared,
that it would come too late to be of any great service to the
corn, though it might save the few vegetables they had in the
gardens which were parched up. Some rain fell on the 14th and
15th of October, but it was barely sufficient to refresh the
ground.
The natives now visited the settlement daily, and Bannelong,
who had not been there for several days, came early in the
morning of the 17th, but took leave of Governor Phillip after
breakfast, saying, that he was going a great way off, and would
return, with two young men who were with him, after three days:
there was reason to suppose that he was going to fight.
If the natives of this country be less civilised than the
inhabitants of the neighbouring islands, they are much honester;
for they very seldom attempt to take any thing by stealth; and,
it is certain, that when a thief is caught, they beat him to
death with sticks. On the 18th, Governor Phillip was informed,
that Colebe, with two little girls and two young men who had
before been at the settlement, were waiting at the next cove to
see him; on this, he went to the place: a hatchet was, as usual,
desired and given, and Colebe promised to come to dinner the next
day.
A convict had been missing some time, and was reported to have
been killed by the natives: those who could have given any
information of this man must have been with him, and consequently
expected punishment, if they were known, for having left their
huts contrary to orders; it was, therefore, impossible to fix the
report on any individual, and no information could be gained by
those who were sent to search the country for some miles round;
but two parties of the natives had been seen, one party
consisting of about forty, the other not more than half that
number: soon afterwards, Bannelong, with sixteen men and boys,
were met by a serjeant and three men who had been sent after the
convict that was missing; Bannelong pressed them very much to
return with him and kill a native who was well known from having
lost an eye, and who was supposed to be a leader of the tribe
that reside about Botany-Bay; but this request not being complied
with, the natives continued their route, and Colebe, who was of
the party, came to dine with the governor as he had promised,
Bannelong and several others accompanying him.
At dinner, Bannelong observed that his shield was a good one,
and said, that he had been to fight the man who had some time
before wounded him, and that his spear had gone through both the
shield and hand of his antagonist; he also said, that the people
he had been to fight with had killed the man who was lost:
however, admitting that to be the case, it is more than probable
that he had been found by the natives stealing their spears or
gum, and which the convicts continued to procure, and contrive to
secrete until ships arrive.
On the 18th of October, the Supply armed tender returned from
Batavia: they had lost a lieutenant, the gunner of the Sirius,
and several seamen at that unhealthy settlement. The commander of
the Supply had intended to go through the streights of Macasser;
but when to the westward of Kercolang, meeting with strong gales
from the westward, he bore away to the southward, running down
near the small islands which are on the western coast of Gillola;
and going to the westward of the island of Bouro, to the
southward of Bouton, and between Salayer and Celebes, had fine
weather and favourable winds.
Ships leaving the coast of New South Wales for Batavia,
between the months of April and September, should keep to the
southward, and go between New Guinea and Gillola; they then might
make their passage in seven or eight weeks, probably in less
time. The Supply was eighty days on her passage, and sixty-four
on her return.
On the 28th of October, two convicts suffered death for
robbing a hut, and dangerously wounding a man who endeavoured to
prevent their carrying away his property.
The settlement had now some heavy showers of rain, and the
weather continued showery for several days, but the long drought
had destroyed a very considerable part of the wheat and
barley.
The native girl, who had left the settlement, returned, after
being absent fourteen days; but though she appeared to have fared
badly, and had been beat by her friend Colebe, yet she would not
remain at Sydney more than two days, after which she returned to
her companions.
It now appeared, that Governor Phillip did not wrong the
natives in supposing that they treated their women with very
little tenderness; for Bannelong had beat his wife twice very
severely in a short time, and for which, as far as could be
learnt from the girl, he had very little reason: still she
appeared very fond of him, and he professed great affection for
her, but laughed when he was told that it was wrong to beat a
woman: he now visited the settlement daily, with his wife,
several children, and half a dozen of his friends, and Colebe was
generally one of the party.
Several of these people had recently a dispute, in which one
of them received two severe wounds in the head from a spear, and
two others were wounded in the head by hatchets; but the parties
appeared two days after the affray as good friends as ever.
It has already been observed, that the natives have some idea
of a future state, and that they believe in spirits; the
following circumstance leaves no doubt but that they likewise
believe in charms:--Bannelong's wife one day complaining of a
pain in the belly, went to the fire and sat down with her
husband, who, notwithstanding his beating her occasionally,
seemed to express great sorrow on seeing her ill, and after
blowing on his hand, he warmed it, and then applied it to the
part affected; beginning at the same time a song, which was
probably calculated for the occasion: a piece of flannel being
warmed and applied by a bye-stander, rendered the warming his
hand unnecessary, but he continued his song, always keeping his
mouth very near to the part affected, and frequently stopping to
blow on it, making a noise after blowing in imitation of the
barking of a dog; but though he blew several times, he only made
that noise once at every pause, and then continued his song, the
woman always making short responses whenever he ceased to blow
and bark.
How long this ceremony would have continued was uncertain, for
Governor Phillip sent for the doctor, and she was persuaded to
take a little tincture of rhubarb, which gave her relief, and so
put an end to the business.
Bannelong, with his wife and two children, who appeared to
have been adopted by him when their parents died, now lived in a
hut built for them on the eastern point of the cove; they were
frequently visited by many of the natives, some of whom daily
came to the barracks: all of them were very fond of bread, and
they now found the advantage of coming amongst the settlers.
The Supply immediately after her arrival began to refit, as
Governor Phillip was desirous of sending to Norfolk Island some
provisions, and many little articles which were wanted, and with
which he now had it in his power to supply them; but on stripping
the lower masts, the foremast was found to be so bad that it was
necessary to get it out, and when examined, it proved to be so
much decayed that they were obliged to cut several feet off the
head of the mast, and several feet from the heel: the tops,
likewise, were so much decayed, that they could not be repaired,
so that new ones were to be made.
It had hitherto been the opinion at Sydney, that the custom of
losing the front tooth amongst the natives was confined to the
men only, but a woman was lately seen who had lost the front
tooth, and two women were met with who had the septum of the nose
perforated; one of them was Barangaroo, who now visited the
settlement daily, in company with her husband, and seemed to be
pleased as though she thought herself drest when her nose was
occasionally ornamented with a small bone or a bit of stick: she
is very strait and exceeding well made; her features are good,
and though she goes entirely naked, yet there is such an air of
innocence about her that cloathing scarcely appears
necessary.
These people are frequently ornamented, or, to speak more
properly, disfigured with broad white marks under the eyes and on
the breasts; but they seem to have another motive for using this
mode of ornament, besides a wish of appearing handsome, though as
yet it had not been discovered. The red earth is likewise
frequently used, generally about the nose and under the eyes.