throwing difficulties in the way of my interests, and not knowing what might be the result, I determined on resigning office, and on leaving a colony where my services were so little known, and so badly appreciated by the principal authorities.
It was not without great regret, that I resolved on leaving the colony, because I had believed my knowledge of the language and habits of the natives, acquired during my sojourning amongst them, might have led to my being employed by the local authorities during the rest of my life; but, when I reflected on the suspicion with which I was viewed by the most influential white men, and on the probable doubt the natives would entertain in my sincerity after having left them, I thought it best to retire to Van Diemen'a Land. Indeed, I could not calculate on one hour's personal safety from either one party or the other, under such circumstances, for if lives had been lost, or cattle stolen, in any locality where I happened to be stationed, prejudice or vindictive feelings might have been brought into play, and I should have been sacrificed.
In proof of this, and of the reckless way in which conclusions were sometimes arrived at in serious matters, I will here relate, in as few words as possible, what happened to one of the natives, who, poor fellow, had a very narrow escape from death, in consequence of false information; such as I might have been subjected to at any time, had I remained in a colony where no confidence was placed in me, merely because I possessed more influence with the natives than others.
