50 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [January, 



been found abfent from his poft as centinely was fentenced to receive 

 feven hundred lathes, which fentence was put in execution upon him 

 at two periods, with an interval of three weeks. 



Toward the end of this month the detachment took porTeffion of 

 their barracks ; and a brick-houfe, forty feet by thirteen, was begun 

 on the Eaft fide for the CommifTary. At Rofe Hill the people were 

 principally employed in clearing and cultivating land ; but the labour 

 of removing the timber off the ground when cut down, very much 

 retarded the bed efforts of the people fo employed. The military and 

 convi&s ft ill lived under tents ; and, as a proof of the fmall fpacc 

 which they occupied, two Emus, or CafTowaries, who muft have 

 been feeding in the neighbourhood, ran througtr the little camp, and 

 were fo intermingled with the people, who ran out of their tents at fo 

 flrange an appearance, that it became dangerous to fire at them \ and 

 they got clear off, though literally furrounded by people, and under 

 the muzzles of fome of their mufquets. 



Very little moleftation was at this time given by the natives ; and 

 had they never been ill treated by the inhabitants, inftead of hoftility^ 

 it is more than probable that an> intercourfe of friendfhip would have 

 fubfiftecL 



The impracticability of keeping the convicts within the limits pre- 

 fcribed for them became every day more evident. Almoft every month 

 from their arrival had produced one or more accidents occafioned 

 principally by a non-compliance with the orders which had been given 

 folely with a view to their fecurity ; and which, with thinking beings,, 

 would have been of fufficient force as examples to deter others from 

 running into the fame danger. But neither orders nor dangers feemed 

 to be regarded, where their own temporary convenience prompted them 

 to difobey the one, or run the rifk of incurring the other. A con- 

 vict had ftrayed into the woods for the purpofe of collecting fweet 

 tea ; an herb fo called by thefe people, and which was in great efti- 

 mation among them. The leaves of it being boiled, they obtained a* 

 beverage not unlike liquorice in tafte,, and which was recommended 



