w of reaching any port they could arrive at； and asserting their freedom。 They had all come out in the last fleet； and for some time previous to their elopement； had been collecting fishing tackle； and hoarding up provisions； to enable them to put their scheme into execution*。
＇*They have never since been heard of。 Before they went away； they tried in vain to procure firearms。 If they were not swallowed by the sea； probably they were cut off by the natives； on some part of the coast where their necessities obliged them to land。＇
CHAPTER IX。
Transactions of the Colony in part of September and October； 1790。
From so unfavourable an omen as I have just related； who could prognosticate that an intercourse with the natives was about to commence！ That the foundation of what neither entreaty； munificence； or humanity； could induce； should be laid by a deed； which threatened to accumulate scenes of bloodshed and horror was a consequence which neither speculation could predict； or hope expect to see accomplished。
On the 15th a fire being seen on the north shore of the harbour； a party of our people went thither； accompanied by Nanbaree and Abaroo。 They found there Baneelon； and several other natives； and much civility passed； which was cemented by a mutual promise to meet in the afternoon at the same place。 Both sides were punctual to their engagement； and no objection being made to our landing； a party of us went ashore to them unarmed。 Several little presents； which had been purposely brought； were distributed among them； and to Baneelon were given a hatchet and a fish。 At a distance stood some children； who； though at first timorous and unwilling to approach； were soon persuaded to advance； and join the men。
A bottle of wine was produced； and Baneelon immediately prepared for the charge。 Bread and beef he called loudly for； which were given to him； and he began to eat； offering a part of his fare to his countrymen； two of whom tasted the beef； but none of them would touch the bread。 Having finished his repast； he made a motion to be shaved； and a barber being present； his request was complied with； to the great admiration of his countrymen； who laughed and exclaimed at the operation。 They would not； however； consent to undergo it； but suffered their beards to be clipped with a pair of scissors。
On being asked where their women were； they pointed to the spot； but seemed not desirous that we should approach it。 However； in a few minutes； a female appeared not far off； and Abaroo was dispatched to her。 Baneelon now joined with Abaroo to persuade her to come to us； telling us she was Barangaroo； and his wife； notwithstanding he had so lately pretended that she had left him for Colbee。 At length she yielded； and Abaroo； having first put a petticoat on her； brought her to us。 But this was the prudery of the wilderness； which her husband joined us to ridicule； and we soon laughed her out of it。 The petticoat was dropped with hesitation； and Barangaroo stood 〃armed cap…a…pee in nakedness。〃 At the request of Baneelon； we combed and cut her hair； and she seemed pleased with the operation。 Wine she would not taste； but turned from it with disgust； though heartily invited to drink by the example and persuasion of Baneelon。 In short； she behaved so well； and assumed the character of gentleness and timidity to such advantage； that had our acquaintance ended here； a very moderate share of the spirit of travelling would have sufficed to record； that amidst a horde of roaming savages； in the desert wastes of New South Wales； might be found as much feminine innocence； softness； and modesty （allowing for inevitable difference of education）； as the most finished system could bestow； or the most polished circle produce。 So little fitted are we to judge of human nature at once！ And yet on such grounds have countries been described； and nations characterized。 Hence have arisen those speculative and laborious compositions on the advantages and superiority of a state of nature。 But to resume my subject。
Supposing； that by a private conversation； she might be induced to visit Sydney； which would be the means of drawing her husband and others thither； Abaroo was instructed to take her aside； and try if she could persuade her to comply with our wish。 They wandered away together accordingly； but it was soon seen； that Barangaroo's arguments to induce Abaroo to rejoin their society； were more powerful than those of the latter； to prevail upon her to come among us； for it was not without manifest reluctance； and often repeated injunctions； that Abaroo would quit her countrywomen； and when she had done so； she sat in the boat； in sullen silence； evidently occupied by reflection on the scene she had left behind； and returning inclination to her former habits of life。
Nor was a circumstance which had happened in the morning interview； perhaps； wholly unremembered by the girl。 We had hinted to Baneelon to provide a husband for her； who should be at liberty to pass and repass to and from Sydney； as he might choose。 There was at the time； a slender fine looking youth in company； called Imeerawanyee； about sixteen years old。 The lad； on being invited； came immediately up to her； and offered many blandishments； which proved that he had assumed the 'toga virilis'。 But Abaroo disclaimed his advances； repeating the name of another person； who we knew was her favourite。 The young lover was not； however； easily repulsed； but renewed his suit； on our return in the afternoon； with such warmth of solicitation； as to cause an evident alteration in the sentiments of the lady。
To heighten the good humour which pervaded both parties； we began to play and romp with them。 Feats of bodily strength were tried； and their inferiority was glaring。 One of our party lifted with ease two of them from the ground； in spite of their efforts to prevent him； whereas in return； no one of them could move him。 They called him 'murree mulla' （a large strong man）。 Compared with our English labourers； their muscular power would appear very feeble and inadequate。
Before we parted； Baneelon informed us that his countrymen had lately been plundered of fish…gigs； spears； a sword； and many other articles； by some of our people； and expressed a wish that they should be restored； promising； that if they were； the governor's dirk should be produced and returned to us to…morrow； if we would meet him here。
Accordingly on the following day we rowed to the spot； carrying with us the stolen property。 We found here several natives； but not Baneelon。 We asked for him； and were told that he was gone down the harbour with Barangaroo to fish。 Although disappointed at his breach of promise； we went on shore； and mingled without distrust among those we found； acquainting them that we had brought with us the articles of which they had been plundered。 On hearing this account； they expressed great joy； and Imeerawanyee darting forward； claimed the sword。 It was given to him； and he had no sooner grasped it； than he hastened to convince his mistress； that his prowess in war； was not inferior to his skill in courtship。 Singling out a yellow gum…tree for the foe； he attacked it with great fierceness； calling to us to look on； and accompanying his onset with all the gestures and vociferation which they use in battle。 Having conquered his enemy； he laid aside his fighting face； and joined us with a countenance which carried in it every mark of youth and good nature。
Whether Abaroo's coyness； and preference of another； had displeased him； or it was owing to natural fickleness； he paid her no farther attention； but seemed more delighted with us。 He had no beard； but was highly gratified in being combed and having his hair clipped。
All the stolen property being brought on shore； an old man came up； and claimed one of the fish…gigs； singling it from the bundle； and taking only his own； and this honesty； within the circle of their society； seemed to characterize them all。
During this time； it was observed； that one of the Indians； instead of mixing with the rest； stood aloof； in a musing posture； contemplating what passed。 When we offered to approach him； he shunned us not； and willingly shook hands with all who chose to do so。 He seemed to be between 30 and 40 years old； was jolly； and had a thoughtful countenance； much marked by the smallpox。 He wore a string of bits of dried reed round his neck； which I asked him to exchange for a black stock。 He smiled at the proposal； but made no offer of what I wanted； which our young friend； Imeerawanyee； observing； flew to him； and taking off the necklace； directly fixed it about my neck。 I feared he would be enraged； but he bore it with serenity； and suffered a gentleman present to fasten his black stock upon him； with which he appeared to be pleased。 To increase his satisfaction； some other trifle was given to him。
Having remained here an hour we went in quest of Baneelon； agreeably to the directions which his companions pointed out。 We found him and Barangaroo shivering over a few lighted sticks； by which they were dressing small fish； and their canoe hauled up on the beach near them。 On first seeing the boa