9,16 HISTORT OF 



At the end of the month he visited Para- 

 matta, to examine the progress of the works 

 going on there. During his Excellency's stay, 

 an Irish convict, who had escaped for some 

 time, was brought in. After wandering about 

 several days in search of a road which was to 

 have conducted him to China, or the new ideal 

 colony of white people, his strength failed as 

 provisions grew short, and as he despaired of 

 meeting with relief, he had sense enough to re- 

 verse the written instructions calculated only to 

 carry him out, directing him to keep the sun 

 on a particular part of his body, varying ac- 

 cording to the time of the day. Thus he tra- 

 velled Eastward, which led him nearly to the 

 head of George's , river, where a few. people 

 were settled ; and having one morning heard 

 a gun at a distance, he tried to walk to it, 

 but was unable, when night came on him, 

 being faint, he took a little flour from his 

 pocket, and sprinkling it on some water, drank 

 it, and then laid down to rest. In the morn- 

 ing he was a little refreshed, and again endea- 

 voured to get in the direction whence he heard 

 the report of a gun, and soon heard a man's 

 voice, on which he hallooed and to his great 

 joy was answered. This man, who was a settler, 

 took him to his house, recruited his spirits, and 

 brought him into the town. Being questioned 

 how he found his way back, he said, " that a 

 paper compass which had been given him was 

 of no use, so he kept his face toward the place 

 'whence the sun came from ; but had not the hord 

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