*799«] 



OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 



We mud here take leave of Captain Flinders, whole fkiii in explo- 

 ring unknown coafts and harbours, fo amply maniiefted in this excur- 

 fion, creates an additional intereft in the fucceis of his prefent under- 

 taking. 



The convicts brought out by the Hillfborough being moMly reco- 

 vered from the difeafe and weaknefs with which they landed, fome 

 additional flrength was gained to the public gangs ; and the different 

 works in hand went on with more fpirit than they had done for fome 

 time part. In addition to the battery which, under the direction of 

 Lieutenant Kent, had been conftructed by the feamen of the Supply 

 on the eaft point of the cove, the work on Point Mafkelyne had been 

 raifed and completed with embrafures. Some guns. were placed in a 

 commanding fituation above the wind-mill on the weft fide ; and a 

 work had been erected upon Garden Ifland ; fo that, in point of 

 defence, the fettlement wore a refpe&able appearance. The weather 

 had for fome time been moderate and temperate. 



On the 24th of September the Governor fet off on a vifit to the 

 wild cattle. Leaving Parramatta on the 24th, he croffed the Nepean 

 the following day, but much further to the northward than he had 

 done before. In this direction he and his party traverfed a new tract 

 of country, which was not only beautiful to the eye but highly cal- 

 culated for cultivation and pafturage. 



On their arrival at the Cow-pafture Plains, they fell in with a herd 

 of the cattle, about twenty in number, and fo extremely fierce, that, 

 had it not been for the dogs which were with them, they would pro- 

 bably have been attacked. Some natives, who had accompanied the 

 Governor, were fo alarmed, that they availed themfelves of their ex- 

 pertnefs in climbing trees, and left their friends to provide for their 

 own fafety how they could. Thefe dogs having been hunted at the 

 cattle, much againft the Governor's wifh, by fome of the party (who 

 did it, as not thinking their fituation perfectly fafe), the animals were 

 ilifmayed at the unufual appearance and went off ; but a bull calf, 



3 u 2 about 



