e
scene of the murder was visible, and they became extremely agitated; but
the opinion of the colony was no longer favorable to executions, and the
government had discovered a more excellent way.

Mr. Robinson now landed at Circular Head, and assisted by his native
companions, he followed up the Big River tribe: he fell in with the
party at Lake Echo; they had moved with haste, and left behind several
stand of arms, a looking glass, and the gun of Captain Thomas. Other
encampments were passed, but when Robinson approached them, they
invariably fled. They had been to a spot twenty miles south-east of the
Van Diemen's Land Company's establishment, whither they were accustomed
to resort for a mineral, which is found in a decomposed bed of felspar.
From this place they were followed by Robinson, who overtook them thirty
miles north-west of the Peak of Teneriffe. He saw them first to the east
of the Barn Bluff Mountain, and was not more than two miles distant. He
hailed his people, and selected a few of his friendly natives, who,
together with the woman present at the murder of Captain Thomas, were
sent to meet them. The party of Robinson were concealed by a scrub. In
less than half an hour he heard the war-whoop, and perceived that they
were advancing, by the rattling of their spears. This was an awful
moment to their pacificator. On their approach, the chief, Manalanga,
leaped on his feet in great alarm, saying that the natives were coming
to spear them: he urged Mr. Robinson to run, and finding he would not,
took up his rug and spears and went away. The rest of the allies
prepared to follow him; but were prevailed on by Robinson to remain.
They inferred, that the natives sent on the embassy of peace, were
either killed, or that they had joined the hostile tribe. As these
advanced, the friendly emissaries were unseen, being hidden by the
larger number of the strangers, who still raised their cry, and
approached in warlike array. At length Robinson saw his own people: he
then went up to the chiefs and shook hands with them. He explained the
object of his visit; distributed trinkets among them, and sat down and
partook refreshment with them. From that time they placed themselves
under his control, and as they advanced towards Hobart Town, he
encouraged them to make excursions, which left their own actions free,
and prevented suspicion and distrust. With their wives and children,
this party consisted of thirty-six, and at len