ngs a ton, per month (rating her at three hundred tons) until
she should arrive in England--being about the twenty-fifth part of his
original demand. And even at this price she was, perhaps, the dearest
vessel ever hired on a similar service, being totally destitute of every
accommodation and every good quality which could promise to render so long
a voyage either comfortable or expeditious.

February, 1791. On the 26th, Captain Hunter, his officers and ship's
company joined us; and on the 28th of March the snow sailed with them for
England, intending to make a northern passage by Timor and Batavia, the
season being too far advanced to render the southern route by Cape Horn
practicable*.

[*They did not arrive in England until April, 1792.]

Six days previous to the departure of captain Hunter, the indefatigable
'Supply' again sailed for Norfolk Island, carrying thither captain Hill
and a detachment of the New South Wales corps. A little native boy named
Bondel, who had long particularly attached himself to captain Hill,
accompanied him, at his own earnest request. His father had been killed in
battle and his mother bitten in two by a shark: so that he was an orphan,
dependant on the humanity of his tribe for protection*. His disappearance
seemed to make no impression on the rest of his countrymen, who were
apprized of his resolution to go. On the return of the 'Supply' they
inquired eagerly for him, and on being told that the place he was gone
to afforded plenty of birds and other good fare, innumerable volunteers
presented themselves to follow him, so great was their confidence in us and
so little hold of them had the amor patriae.

[*I am of opinion that such protection is always extended to children who
may be left destitute.]

March, 1791. The snow had but just sailed, when a very daring manoeuvre was
carried into execution, with complete success, by a set of convicts, eleven
in number, including a woman, wife of one of the party, and two little
children. They seized the governor's cutter and putting into her a
seine, fishing-lines, and hooks, firearms, a quadrant, compass, and some
provisions, boldly pushed out to sea, determined to brave every danger and
combat every hardship, rather than remain longer in a captive state. Most
of these people had been brought out in the first fleet, and the terms of
transportation of some of them were expired. Among them were a fisherman,
a carpenter, and some competent nav