NATIVE BOYS DISAFFECTED. 389 
fatigue and labours we should then have to 
undergo. 
Having deducted the four pounds stolen during 
the night, from the daily rations of the three boys, 
I gave them the remainder, (eight pounds) telling 
them the reason why their quantity was less to-day 
than usual, and asking them to point out the thief, 
who alone should be punished and the others would 
receive their usual rations. The youngest of the 
three boys, and the King George’s Sound native, 
resolutely denied being concerned in the robbery ; 
but the other native doggedly refused to answer any 
questions about it, only telling me that he and the 
native from King George’s Sound would leave me 
and make their way by themselves. I pointed out to 
them the folly, in fact the impossibility almost, of their 
succeeding in any attempt of the kind ; advised them 
to remain quietly where they were, and behave well 
for the future, but concluded by telling them that if 
they were bent upon going they might do so, as I 
would not attempt to stop them. 
For some time past the two eldest of the boys, 
both of whom were now nearly grown up to man- 
hood, had been far from obedient in their general 
conduct. Ever since we had been reduced to a low 
scale of diet they had been sulky and discontented, 
never assisting in the routine of the day, or doing 
what they were requested to do with that cheerful- 
ness and alacrity that they had previously exhibited. 
Unaccustomed to impose the least restraint upon 
