Bannelong, after an absence of several days, returned to the settlement; and the services he had rendered the boat’s crew when they were in danger of being lost, being considered as an atonement for his past offences, he was admitted into Governor Phillip’s house; in consequence of this reconciliation, the number of visitors greatly increased, the governor’s yard being their head quarters.

Chapter XXI

TRANSACTIONS AT PORT JACKSON

April 1791 to May 1791

An excursion into the country.—­Occurrences on the journey.—­Surprising dexterity of the natives in climbing trees.—­Their superstition.—­Their method of curing wounds.—­Their language.—­Their manners and disposition.

On the 11th of April, 1791, Governor Phillip left Rose-Hill with a party, intending to reach Hawkesbury-River, opposite Richmond-Hill; and, if possible, to cross the river and get to the mountains.  Besides the governor, the party consisted of a servant, and three convicts, who were good marksmen, eight soldiers, two serjeants, one captain, Lieutenant Tench, and Lieutenant Dawes; they took seven days provisions with them.

As a few hours heavy rain would raise the waters at the head of the Hawkesbury, and render their return very difficult, if not impracticable, the party were made so considerable, that they might divide if it was possible to cross the river, which the governor meant to do with only half a dozen persons; leaving the remainder to prepare a raft of light wood, if any could be found, or to assist their return, with lines carried for that purpose.

It was near eleven o’clock when the party set off, and, after crossing Rose-Hill creek, they went to the northward, as Governor Phillip wished to see if, after so long a drought, there was any water in a ravine near to which he intended to place a settler, the ground being good, lying well for cultivation, and having plenty of water where the farm-house was intended to be fixed.  This track of good ground runs to the eastward, and was separated from the cultivated land on the north side of Rose-Hill creek by a small patch of brush-wood, and a narrow slip of poor sandy soil.

Water being found in the bottom of the ravines, our party shaped their course so as to cross a part of the country, with which they were unacquainted, going north-west by the compass, and counting their paces.  Colebe, and Ballederry, the young man who has been mentioned as living chiefly at Governor Phillip’s house, were desirous of joining this party; and, as much information was expected from them, they were encouraged to go, and they carried their own provisions.