130 ABORIGINAL CONVICTS. 



the lagoons, cut wood, and at present almost grow 

 sufficient grain to keep them, so that in a short 

 time they will be a source of profit rather than of 

 loss to the crown. Some of them pine away and 

 die ; others appear happy. Generally, however, 

 when a fresh prisoner comes among them, great dis- 

 content prevails ; they inquire eagerly about their 

 friends and families ; and what they hear in reply 

 recalls vividly to their minds their wild roving life, 

 their corrobories, the delights of their homes ; and 

 of these, too, they are sometimes compelled to think 

 when a blue streak of smoke stealing over the uplands, 

 catches their restless eye, as it wanders instinctively 

 forth in that direction from their island prison. They 

 will often gaze on these mementos of their former 

 free life, until their eyes grow dim with tears and their 

 breasts swell with those feelings which, however 

 debased they may appear, they share in common with 

 us all. On these occasions they naturally turn 

 with loathinof to their food. Those who suffer 

 most are the oldest ; for they have ties to which the 

 younger are strangers. 



The rapidity with which the young ones grow up 

 and improve in appearance, in consequence of their 

 regular food and the care taken of them, is 

 astonishing. They are allowed to have a common 

 kind of spear, though without any throwing stick ; 

 and sometimes receive permission to go to the west 

 end of the island to endeavour to kill wallaby, 

 which are there rather numerous. 



We were happy to find that the attention of the 



