466 REMOVAL OF ABORIGINES 



nia baffled the generalship and the tactics that 

 were displayed ; and an expedition attended with 

 immense expense, and carried on with the great- 

 est enthusiasm, ended in the capture of a single 

 native. 



It was now evident that means of another character 

 must be tried, and the plan which Mr. Robinson 

 had laid before Government for the capture of the 

 natives in the meshes of persuasion was adopted. 

 This enterprising person, accordingly, went alone 

 and unattended amono^ the abori"ines, endured 

 great privations, ran much risk, but finally, 

 partly by his eloquence, partly by stratagem, con- 

 trived to bring in the tribes one by one, and to 

 transport them quietly to the islands in the eastern 

 entrance of Bass Strait. Mr. Bateman, command- 

 ing the colonial brig, Tamar, who took them 

 across, describes them as reconciled to their fate, 

 though during the whole passage they sat on the 

 vessel's bulwark, shaking little bags of human bones, 

 apparently as a charm against the danger to which 

 they felt exposed. 



They were first taken to Swan Island, but that 

 not being found convenient, they were landed on 

 the west side of Flinders Island, under the super- 

 intendence of Mr. Robinson. This place, also, was 

 discovered to be ill-adapted for a permanent settle- 

 ment ; and a removal again took place to Vansittart 

 or Gun Carriage Island, at the eastern extremity of 



