The weather in November was, for the first and middle parts, very unsettled, blowing hard at times with much rain.  On one day, there fell a shower of hail, the stones of which were each as big as a lark’s egg.  The latter part of the month was fair, and favourable for reaping the grain.

CHAPTER VII

Bennillong and Cole-be
Various particulars respecting the natives
Ye-ra-nibe killed
A settler’s house burnt through malice
Schools at Sydney
Two settlers drink for a wager
The body of a soldier found
Criminal court
The Francis sails for the wreck
Weather
Houses burnt
Public labour
Harvest
Account of live stock and ground in cultivation

December.] A circumstance occurred about the beginning of this month, that excited much interest in the town of Sydney, and great commotion among the natives.  Two of these people, both of them well known in the settlement, (Cole-be, the friend of Bennillong, and one of the Ye-ra-ni-bes) meeting in the town, while their bosoms were yet swelling on occasion of some former difference, attacked each other.  Cole-be had always been remarked for his activity, but Ye-ra-ni-be had more youth than his adversary, and was reckoned a perfect match for him.  On closing on each other, with their clubs, until which time Cole-be had not gained any advantage over Ye-ra-ni-be, the handle of Ye-ra-ni-be’s shield drew out, and it consequently fell from his grasp:  while stooping to take it up, the other struck him on the head with a club, which staggered him, and followed his blow while he was in that defenceless situation.

Cole-be knew that this would ensure him the appellation of jeerun, or coward, and that the friends of Ye-ra-ni-be would as certainly take up his cause.  As the consequences might be very serious if he should die of the blow, he thought it prudent to abscond for a while, and Yera-ni-be was taken care of by some of his white friends.  This happened on the 10th, and on the 16th he died.  In this interval he was constantly attended by some of his male and female associates, particularly by his two friends, Collins (for Gnung-a Gnung-a still went by the late judge-advocate’s name) and Mo-roo-bra.  On one of the nights when a most dismal song of lamentation had been sung over him, in which the women were the principal performers, his male friends, after listening for some time with great apparent attention, suddenly started up, and, seizing their weapons, went off in a most savage rage, determined on revenge.  Knowing pretty well where to meet with Cole-be, they beat him very severely, but would not kill him, reserving that gratification of their revenge until the fate of their companion should be decided.  On the following night, Collins and Mo-roo-bra attacked a relation of Cole-be’s, Boo-ra-wan-ye, whom they beat about the head with such cruelty that his recovery was doubtful.  As their vengeance extends to all the family and relations of a culprit, what a misfortune it must be to be connected with a man of a choleric disposition!