keep down their inclination for thievery, and their continual grumbling at some plan not being acted upon for seizing all they saw before them—they thinking it altogether my fault that an attack had not been made; for, although they dreaded the fire arms, they desired to surprise the party, and beat them by their numbers.
At length the vessel arrived from Hobart Town, anchoring about two miles off the land, and the boat we had left with us being launched and manned, Mr. Batman went on board.
On leaving us he told me he would make a signal by firing off his gun, if there was any good news in which I was interested. He was not long on board before he did so, and that I was delighted may be easily imagined; and I had great reason to be more so, when, on landing, he handed me a letter to Mr. Wedge, who told me all was right. The next matter of importance was, to remind him of my promise to the natives, which, as the ship had arrived, ought to be performed promptly, in order to avoid dissatisfaction. The boat was accordingly sent off again to the vessel for two more bags of biscuit, but it did not return until late, so that I was obliged to defer sharing them out that night. The next morning I did so, and Mr. Wedge showed me at the same time a free pardon from Governor Arthur, and a very flattering testimonial of thanks for my services to the settlers. These documents were dated the twenty-fifth of August, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-five; which, strange to say, was exactly thirty-two years from the date of my landing from the
