d my boys, and White and the crew, went down on our knees and returned
thanks to the God of love and mercy who had thus brought us in safety in
our small vessel across the great ocean. The tempest raged on without,
but we lay quiet and secure within the harbour. I cannot describe to
you how free from care I slept that night, and yet many people would
have said that our troubles were only now going to begin.

As soon as the morning broke, all on board assembled on deck to look out
on the new world to which we had come. The magnificent harbour, its
surrounding heights and numerous points and inlets were the same then as
now, but the ground on which the large city of Sydney now stands was
then dotted over with a few Government buildings and merchants' stores,
and here and there a large private residence, and not a few big
public-houses; but most of the dwelling-houses were of plank, and some
even of canvas, belonging to newcomers. Still there was evidence of
progress, and as the day advanced, and people began to move about, a
good deal of animation and activity was visible.

We were soon surrounded by boats, with people eager to know where we had
come from, and what cargo we had got. Many of the visitors were not
pleasant-looking customers, and I was in no wise inclined to encourage
them on board. Those who did come looked with very great interest at
the sheep, and I soon found from their remarks that they considered them
of much value, and that the speculation was likely to prove a good one.

Before, however, I entered into any engagements, I went on shore to
ascertain the state of affairs. I found that I could obtain a large
grant of land free, and that as many convicts would be assigned to me as
I could maintain, to cultivate the land. I knew a little about farming,
and I forgot at the time that the convicts were not likely to become
very pleasant servants, so that everything to be done appeared plain and
easy before me, and in high spirits I returned on board.

My family were, of course, all eager to get on shore, but as they had no
home to go to, it was arranged that I and Charley White and John should
set out at once to select some land, while Peter remained on board to
take care of the family and look after the vessel. We none of us knew
much about land, as to which was likely to prove good or bad, but then
we could take advantage of the experience of earlier settlers. We could
ascertain how some had fai