2 p.m. those in the boat coming back observed seventy in one party. Mr. Tuckey called to them, and they pointed to the spot where the tent was. On the boat coming up, Mr. Tuckey found Mr. Gammon surrounded by the blacks, the chief having seized the latter, Mr. Harris being also surrounded at the tent, of which they had taken possession and were pillaging. Mr. Gammon called out to Mr. Tuckey to fire. He fired over them, and they ran away to a small distance; but immediately returned with their Chief, who wore a sort of turban crown. Whenever he ordered them to halt or advance, they did so immediately. Mr. Tuckey fired over them a second time, at which they again retired a short distance. They were in great numbers, and all armed. Finding that none of their party were wounded by the firing, they again advanced; but when one of them was about to throw his spear at Mr. Tuckey, he gave orders to shoot him as an example. Our people fired, and Innis killed him, and another was wounded; on which they all fled. When this occurred, the number of the savages had encreased to 150. Had not Lieutenant Tuckey fortunately come up with his boat, there is no doubt but they would have killed Mr. Gammon and Mr. Harris, and their two men, and perhaps have eaten them, for there is great reason to believe they are cannibals.
October 23.—At 11 a.m. the Camp assembled, the Governor at the head of the Royal Marines, to hear Divine Service performed in the barrack-square, before all hands.
October 24.—Convicts mustered, and put into different gangs for work.
October 25.—At 8 a.m. the British Flag hoisted at the Camp for the first time, it being the anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne. At 12 the Royal Marines fired three vollies in honor of the day. At 1 p.m. H. M. S. Calcutta fired twenty-one guns on the same occasion. The day excessively hot; thermometer at noon 92. The sudden changes from heat to cold are very great; much more so than in England.
[The Reverend Gentleman was seized with illness
