7* ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [January, 



CHAP. V. 



THE SUPPLY SAILS AGAIN FOR NORFOLK ISLAND. A PLEASING DELUSION, 



EXTRAORDINARY DRAUGHT OF FISH* — THE SUPPLY RETURNS FROM 



NORFOLK ISLAND. — A LARGE NUMBER OF SETTLERS SENT THITHER ON 

 BOARD THE SIRIUS AND SUPPLY. — HEAVY RAINS. — SCARCITY OF PRO- 

 VISIONS INCREASING TO AN ALARMING DEGREE. NEWS BROUGHT OF 



THE LOSS OF THE SIRIUS. — ALLOWANCE OF PROVISIONS STILL LOWER RE- 

 DUCED.— THE SUPPLY SENT TO BAT AVI A FOR RELIEF.— ROBBERIES FRE* 



QJJENT AND DARING, — ROSE HILL. SALT, AND FISHING LINES MADE. — 



THE NATIVES ESCAPE. TRANSACTIONS. 



J7ARLY in January 1790, the Supply failed again for Norfolk 

 liland, with twenty-two male and two female convicls : on her 

 return me was to touch at Lord Howe liland to procure turtle. 



The flour which had been brought from England did not ferve 

 much beyond the beginning of this month, and that imported from 

 tile t^ape now fupplied its place. Every one began to look forward 

 with much anxiety to the arrival of fupplies from England ; and, as 

 it was reafonable to conclude that every day might bring them on the 

 coail, a fpot proper for the purpofe being marked out, a flag-dafT was 

 erecled on the South head of the harbour, whence, on the appearance 

 of a (hip in the ofBng, a fignal might be made, as well to convey the 

 wimed-for information to the fettlement, as to ferve as a mark for the 

 llranger. To this point were the walks of the inhabitants of Port 

 Jackfon daily directed ; fondly indulging a pleafmg delufion, that the 

 very circumftance of looking out for a fail would bring one into 

 view, 



A fufficient quantity of fifh having been taken in one night, to ad- 

 mit the ferving of two pounds to each man, woman, and child be- 

 longing 



