60 HrSTORY OF 



instead of coming to him with that confidence 

 with which he had formerly inspired them with. 

 At length one came to him, and informed him 

 by signs, that he had been beaten by some of 

 our people, this and their running away, were 

 strong- proofs of the truth, added to which 

 11 canoes full of natives, passed the Sirius, and 

 on our b6ats going near them, they paddled 

 off. The water, that had supplied the settle- 

 ment, was found to be only a drain from a 

 swamp, it was therefore requisite to let it remain 

 without cutting the wood round it. April now 

 commenced, and the winter was approaching, 

 every hand was put on the buildings, even the 

 ships' crews helped, except those who brought 

 the cabbage trees, to assist in making huts, a 

 row of which were began on the West side for 

 the female convicts. Distress was now very 

 universal owing to the scurvy. A woman con- 

 vict was accused with stealing an iron, which 

 was found on her, being left alone she hung 

 herself, but was discovered and cut down in 

 time to save her life. 



Thefts continued to be continually commit- 

 ted, but they became fewer, as the Governor 

 assured the convicts that instant punishment 

 should attend all future convictions ; and had 

 the sailors not continued to bring spirits on 

 shore, their conduct as well as the convicts 

 would have been more to be commended. 



The venereal disease was discovered among 

 Jhe convicts, which made the Governor order, 

 that any person having^J and concealing it, 



