FOR EMBARKATION. 
71 
and spar, and on the evening of that day some blacks had 
visited us ; but they sat on the bank of the river, preserving 
a most determined silence ; and, at length, left us abruptly, 
and apparently in great ill humour. In the disposition 
of the loads, I placed all the flour, the tea, and tobacco, 
in the whaleboat. The meat-casks, still, and carpenters’ 
tools, were put into the small boat. 
As soon as the different arrangements were completed, I 
collected the men, and told off those who were to accom- 
pany me. I then gave the rest over in charge to Harris, 
and, in adverting to their regular conduct hitherto, trusted 
they would be equally careful while under his orders. I 
then directed the last remaining sheep to be equally divided 
among us \ and it was determined that, for fear of acci- 
dents, Harris should remain stationary for a week, at the 
expiration of which time, he would be at liberty to proceed 
to Goulburn Plains, there to receive his instructions from 
Sydney ; while the boats were to proceed at an early hour 
of the morning down the river, — whether ever to return 
again being a point of the greatest uncertainty. 
