Volume 10: Elizabeth Macarthur journal and correspondence, 1789-1840

14 possession of a single palliative nor have any means of procuring nourishment for themselves, when their strength no longer permits them to pursue their usual avocations of fishing hunting the Kangaroo, and other little animals, on which they live. Amongst the unhappy objects that were discovered was a Boy and a Girl, these were brought in, and from the humanity of the Clergyman, who took the Girl, and of the principle Surgeon Mr White who took the Boy, they were both saved. The Girl whom I mentioned to you in my former Letters by the name of Abaroo, or Booroo, (for it is difficult to catch their exact pronunciation more so to give you an Idea of it by Letters,) appears to be about Eleven Years old, The Boy (named Nanberry) about nine after this they began to learn English; and to make us understand them: it was imagined from their communication, that if a Man or two, could be brought to reside with us, that some valuable information might be obtained, respecting the interior parts of the country – With this view the Govr. left no means untried to effect an intimacy, with them; but every endeavor at that sort as before proved ineffectual. They accept of his presents, as Children do play things: just to amuse them for a moment and then throw them away, disregarded. Despairing to gain their confidence by fair Means, the Govr ordered that two Men should be taken by force. This was done, the poor Fellows, I am told exhibited the strongest Marks of terror and Consternation at this proceeding, believing they were certainly meant to be sacrificed. When they were taken to the Govnrs House and immediately cleaned and clothed their astonishment at every thing the [they] saw, was amazing. A new World was unfolded to their view at once; for some days they were much dejected, but it soon gave way to Cheerfulness they are admitted to the Governors Table and in a little time ate and

15 drank every thing that was given them. they now Walked about the Settlement as they liked, only with a Man who was appointed to attend them, that they might not escape into the Woods, but as they showed no apparent inclination to do that, the vigilance of their keeper by degrees abated; which the oldest of the two (named Coleby) soon observed: and in a very artful Manner one night; made his escape: the one who remained, and called himself Bannylong 'till May1790 and then took himself off. without any known reason, having been treated with the most uniform kindness, and appeared highly pleased with our people, and Manners; taking it great Compliment to be called White Man for the time he was here he acquired English enough, to make himself understood in common matters, and furnished our people with the Native Names for Animals, Birds, Fish, &c – from this time till after our arrival, nothing was known respecting them, as the Natives whenever they met with any of our people were more shy than ever, and could not be brought to a parley. Nanberry, and Abaroo still remained easy and happy expressing no wish to return to the Woods. On the 7th of Septr Captn Nepean, and several other Gentlemen went down the Harbour in a Boat; with an intention of proceeding to Broken Bay to take a view of the Hawkesbury River, in their way they put in at Manly Cove (a place so called from the spirited behaviour of the Natives there at the Governors first landing; at this time, about two Hundred Natives were assembled, feeding on a Whale: that had been driven on Shore, as they discovered no hostile intentions our party having Arms went up to them. Nanberry was in the Boat, and was desired to enquire for Bannylong, and Coleby when behold both Gentlemen appeared. and advancing with the utmost confidence ask'd in broken English, for all their old friends at Sydney. They exchanged several Weapons for provisions, and

16 Clothes – and gave some Whale bone as a present for the Governor. Captn Nepean, knowing this news would be very pleasing to the Govr, dispatched a Messenger to inform him of it, and proceeded on towards Broken Bay – The Govr lost no time, but as soon as he was acquainted with the above circumstances, ordered a Boat, and accompanied by Mr. Collins (The Judge Advocate) and a Lieut. Waterhouse of the Navy, repaired to Manly Cove he landed by himself, unarmed, in order to show no violence was intended. Bannylong approached and shook hands with the Govr, but Coleby had before left the spot, no reason was asked why Bannylong had left as he appeared very happy, and thankful for what was given him, requesting an hatchet and some other things which the Govr promised to bring him the next day. Mr. Collins and Mr Waterhouse, now joined them; and several Natives also came forward, they continued to converse with much seeming friendship until they had insensibly wandered some distance from the Boat and very imprudently none of the Gentlemen had the precaution to take a gun in their hand. This the Govr perceiving deemed it prudent to retreat; and, after assuring Bannylong that he would remember his promise; told him he was going. at that moment an old man advanced whom Bannylong said was his friend, and wished the Govr to take notice of him, at this he approached the old Man, with his hand extended, when on Sudden the Savage started back and snatched up a spear from the ground, and poized it to throw the Govr, seeing the danger, told him in their Tongue that it was bad; and still advanced, when, with a mixture of horror and intrepidity, the Native discharged the spear with all his force at the Govr. it entered above his Collarbone, and came out at his back nine inches from the entrance, taking an Oblique direction, the Natives from the

17 Rocks now poured in their spears in Abundance so that it was with the utmost difficulty and the greatest good fortune that no other hurt was rec'd in getting the Govr into the Boat. As soon as they returned to this place, you may believe an universal solicitude prevailed, as the danger of the Wound could by no means be asertained [ascertained] untill the spear was extracted and this was not done before his Excellency had caused some papers to be arranged – lest the consequences might prove fatal which happily it did not, for on drawing out the spear, it was found that no vital part had been touched. the Governor, having a good habit of Bodily health – the wound perfectly heal'd in the course of a few weeks. Since that a Convict game keeper has been killed by a Spear; but it seems in some measure to have been owing to his own imprudence. Bannylong came many times to see the Govr, during his confinement, and expressed great sorrow: but the reason why the Mischief was done could not be learnt, since that period the Natives visit us every day, more or less. Men, Women, and Children they come with great confidence, without spears or any other offensive Weapon. a great many have taken up their abode entirely amongst us, and Bannylong and Coleby, with their Wives, come in frequently, Mrs. Coleby, whose name is Daringa, brought in a new born female Infant of hers for me to see; about six Weeks since: it was wrapped up in the soft bark of a Tree, a specimen of which I have preserved, it is a kind of a Mantle not much known in England I fancy. I ordered something for the poor Woman to Eat. and had her taken proper care of for some little while. when she first presented herself to me She appeared feeble and faint, she has since been regular in her visits The Child thrives remarkably Well, and I discover a softness and gentleness of Manners in Daringa truly interesting. We do not in general encourage them to come to our houses. as you may conceive

18 there are some offensive circumstances which makes their company by no means desirable, unless it be those who live wholly with us. a good deal of their Language (if it may be so call'd) is now understood, but we can learn nothing from them respecting the interior part of the Country, it seems they are as much unacquainted with it as ourselves. all their knowledge and pursuits are confined to that of procuring for themselves a bare subsistance They chiefly abide about the Sea coast, the Women appear to be under very great subjection, and are employed in the most laborious part of their work, They fish and also make the Lines and Hooks and indeed seem very little otherways than slaves to their husbands They weave their Lines from the Bark of a certain tree: which we call May from the perfume the flower has which strongly resembles the White thorn, that blows in that Month in England. Their hooks they grind into form from a shell. they perform this with great dexterity upon any rough stone Their Canoes are made of the bark of some of their gum trees, taken off in a particular form for that purpose. Those they paddle about the Caves and Bays very dextriously [dexterously]. The weapons they use are a Spear, a wooden Sword, a stone Adze or Axe, and a fish gig The latter is wholly used in spearing the fish in the water. The Spears which they Aim and discharge with Wonderful ingenuity at a great distance are some of them most dangerous Weapons having many barbs in them and sharpened shells; but they are still under such terror of our firearms that a single armed Man would drive an hundred Natives with their spears and we take care not to venture walking to any distance unarmed, a soldier or two always attending when we make any excursion. I have never yet met a single native in the Woods. I told you in my last letter I thought their dialect pleasing