Mr. Boultby, when he was absent; and if it had not been for a soldier who happened to be there, they would have murdered Mrs. Boultby and all the children. On Friday last they murdered three men at a hut belonging to Major Grey, and left a fourth for dead."
Mr. Batman was the first to employ native women as spies and guides. Mr. Robinson afterwards followed out the same plan with signal advantage. These brought intelligence of the wanderers, and, from sympathy with the benevolent views of these two leaders, induced their country people to accept of the proffered protection. They were made to understand the intentions of the Governor to remove them from the bad and cruel Whites to good hunting-grounds, which their enemies could never approach.
Three of Mr. Batman's native females succeeded on one occasion in prevailing upon nine men to come to Kingston. It so happened that the gentleman was from home, and Mrs. Batman and her daughters were much terrified at the visit She sent over for her neighbour, Mr. Simeon Lord, who gave me a graphic account of this irruption of barbarians. He found the new comers about as wild a collection as the country could furnish. They were all armed, and were prying most curiously, but good-humouredly, about the premises. Some were enjoying the mysteries of the mirror, and laughing at each other's transferred features. One had a girl's cap on his greasy pate, and another mounted a larger article of feminine wardrobe. They stalked about in Native costume of perfect undress, and made free with what pleased them, but carefully abstained from liberties with the household. As hungry as hunters, they made such havoc as to lead Mr. Batman afterwards to write: "Their appetite is enormous, devouring everything they meet They are particularly fond of half-roasted eggs of every description, geese, ducks, and hens; it is all one—so much so, that Mrs. Batman's poultry-yard will cut but a sorry figure after the company."
The master arrived home at sundown, to the great relief of the family. He gave the party a hearty welcome, but took no measures to force them into confinement The consequence was, that the gentry departed in the night, though returning on a subsequent day. Six having been on another occasion taken to Launceston, the Commandant, not knowing what to do with
