This interchange we found is a constant
symbol of friendship among them*. In a word, his temper seemed pliant, and
his relish of our society so great, that hardly any one judged he would
attempt to quit us, were the means of escape put within his reach.
Nevertheless it was thought proper to continue a watch over him.

[*It is observable that this custom prevails as a pledge of friendship
and kindness all over Asia, and has also been mentioned by Captain Cook to
exist among the natives in the South Sea Islands.]

CHAPTER VI.

Transactions of the Colony, from the Beginning of the Year 1790 until the
End of May following.

Our impatience of news from Europe strongly marked the commencement of the
year. We had now been two years in the country, and thirty-two months from
England, in which long period no supplies, except what had been procured at
the Cape of Good Hope by the 'Sirius', had reached us. From intelligence of
our friends and connections we had been entirely cut off, no communication
whatever having passed with our native country since the 13th of May 1787,
the day of our departure from Portsmouth. Famine besides was approaching
with gigantic strides, and gloom and dejection overspread every
countenance. Men abandoned themselves to the most desponding reflections,
and adopted the most extravagant conjectures.

Still we were on the tiptoe of expectation. If thunder broke at a distance,
or a fowling-piece of louder than ordinary report resounded in the woods,
"a gun from a ship" was echoed on every side, and nothing but hurry
and agitation prevailed. For eighteen months after we had landed in the
country, a party of marines used to go weekly to Botany Bay, to see whether
any vessel, ignorant of our removal to Port Jackson, might be arrived
there. But a better plan was now devised, on the suggestion of captain
Hunter. A party of seamen were fixed on a high bluff, called the
South-head, at the entrance of the harbour, on which a flag was ordered to
be hoisted, whenever a ship might appear, which should serve as a direction
to her, and as a signal of approach to us. Every officer stepped forward
to volunteer a service which promised to be so replete with beneficial
consequences. But the zeal and alacrity of captain Hunter, and our brethren
of the 'Sirius', rendered superfluous all assistance or co-operation.

Here on the summit of the hill, every morning from daylight until the sun
sunk, did we sweep t