The sufferer, who was a very young man,
was convicted of a burglary, and met his fate with a hardiness
and insensibility, which the grossest ignorance, and most deplorable
want of feeling, alone could supply.
CHAPTER XIV.
From the Beginning of June, to the Departure of the Ships for Europe.
Hours of festivity, which under happier skies pass away unregarded,
and are soon consigned to oblivion, acquire in this forlorn and distant circle
a superior degree of acceptable importance.
On the anniversary of the King's birthday all the officers not on duty,
both of the garrison and his Majesty's ships, dined with the Governor.
On so joyful an occasion, the first too ever celebrated in our new settlement,
it were needless to say, that loyal conviviality dictated every sentiment,
and inspired every guest. Among other public toasts drank, was,
Prosperity to Sydney Cove, in Cumberland county, now named so by authority.
At day-light in the morning the ships of war had fired twenty-one guns each,
which was repeated at noon, and answered by three vollies from the battalion
of marines.
Nor were the officers alone partakers of the general relaxation.
The four unhappy wretches labouring under sentence of banishment were freed
from their fetters, to rejoin their former society; and three days given
as holidays to every convict in the colony. Hospitality too, which ever
acquires a double relish by being extended, was not forgotten on the
4th of June, when each prisoner, male and female, received an allowance
of grog; and every non-commissioned officer and private soldier had the honor
of drinking prosperity to his royal master, in a pint of porter,
served out at the flag staff, in addition to the customary allowance
of spirits. Bonfires concluded the evening, and I am happy to say,
that excepting a single instance which shall be taken notice of hereafter,
no bad consequence, or unpleasant remembrance, flowed from an indulgence
so amply bestowed.
About this time (June) an accident happened, which I record with much regret.
The whole of our black cattle, consisting of five cows and a bull,
either from not being properly secured, or from the negligence of those
appointed to take care of them, strayed into the woods, and in spite of all
the search we have been able to make, are not yet found. As a convict
of the name of Corbet, who was accused of a theft, eloped nearly at the same
time, it was at first believed, that he had taken the desperate measure
of driving off the cattle, in order to subsist on them as long as possible;
or perhaps to deliver them to the natives. In this uncertainty, parties
to search were sent out in different directions; and the fugitive declared
an outlaw, in case of not returning by a fixed day. After much anxiety
and fatigue, those who had undertaken the task returned without finding
the cattle. But on the 21st of the month, Corbet made his appearance
near a farm belonging to the Governor, and entreated a convict, who happened
to be on the spot, to give him some food, as he was perishing for hunger.
The man applied to, under pretence of fetching what he asked for, went away
and immediately gave the necessary information, in consequence of which
a party under arms was sent out and apprehended him.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 35 of 47
Words from 17991 to 18558
of 24415
