NEW SOUTH WALES. 93 



(the native who had wounded "the Governor,) 

 and that lie should wait some days, in hopes 

 that the Governor would pay him a visit, which 

 his Excellency did, on the tenth day after he 

 received the wound, but himself and officers 

 were ail armed. Bennillong 'assured him, that 

 it was owing to fears for his own safety that 

 Wil-le-mc-ring threw the spear. This visit 

 may he esteemed the foundation of a good 

 understanding with the natives. On the 26th 

 of September, five men who had heen trans- 

 ported for life, effected an escape from Rose- 

 Hill, and on inquiry it was found they intended 

 to steer for Otaheite; but from the boat in 

 which they undertook their voyage, there can 

 be no doubt but they perished. In the begin- 

 ning of October, the heat and want of rain was 

 so great, that the grass caught fire and burned 

 for some miles, but the wind got strong N. W. 

 and it was soon checked. On the 8th of Octo- 

 ber, Bennillong, after many promises came to 

 see the Governor, and his reception so delighted 

 him, that he wished to have a hut and live near 

 the settlement, for the building of which 

 directions were immediately given. 



On the l^th, a signal was made for a ship in 

 sight, and shortly the Supply came into the 

 Cove from Batavia, after an absence of six 

 months and two days. It was with great dif- 

 ficulty that Lieut. Ball executed his mission, at 

 the expenee of 11,6881 6s. 9d. As the five 

 men escaped in September, others were tempted 

 to make similar trials, but were detected, and 



