7 o ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [September, 



The natives, who had for fome time paft given very little interrup- 

 tion, toward the end of the month attacked one of the quarter- 

 matters of the Sinus, who, being reckoned a good fhot, was allowed 

 to {hoot for the officers and fhip's company. His account was, that, 

 being in the woods, a {lone was thrown at him from one of the two 

 natives whom he perceived behind him, and that on looking about he 

 found difperfed among the trees a number that could not be lefs than 

 forty. Wifhing to intimidate them, he feveral times only prefented 

 his piece toward them ; but, finding that they followed him, he at 

 la ft gave them the contents, which happened to be fmall fhot for birds. 

 Thefe he replaced with buckfhot, and got rid of his troubleforne and 

 defigning followers by difcharging his piece a fecond time. They all 

 made off; but fome of them ftumbling as they ran, he apprehended 

 they had been wounded. This account met with more credit than 

 could ufually be allowed to fuch tales, as the perfon who gave it was 

 held in great eftimation by the officers of his fhip, both as a man and 

 as a fearnan. 



Mr. Palmer, the purfer of the Sirius, having occafion to cut tim- 

 ber in a cove down the harbour, was vifited by fome natives, who 

 took an opportunity of concealing two of his axes in the bufhes. On 

 his miffing the implements, the natives went off in fome confterna- 

 tion, leaving two children behind them, whom Mr. Palmer detained, 

 and would have brought up to the fettlement, had not their friends 

 ranfomed them with the property that had been ftolen. 



At Rofe Hill, where the corn promifed well, an emu had been 

 killed, which flood feven feet high, was a female, and when opened 

 was found to contain exactly fifty eggs. 



The launch that was begun in May by the carpenter of the Supply, 

 being completed, was put into the water on the 5th of O&ober, From 

 the quantity of wood ufed in her conftruaio.n, fhe appeared to be a 

 mere bed of timber; and, when launched, was named by the convicts, 

 with a felicity that is fometimes vifible in the aliufions of the lower 

 order of people, The Rofe Hill Packet; but me was afterwards better 



known 



