Page:Life and Adventures of William Buckley.djvu/227

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204
LIFE OF BUCKLEY.

November 16.—The Ocean transport dropped down near the harbour's mouth. Five of the escaped convicts brought back to Camp. Burried on shore the first dead body: the cook of the Calcutta.

November 17.—At half-past 10 Captain Woodriff arrived at the Camp, with as many of his officers as could be spared. At 11 the Garrison was under arms; at half-past, all the convicts were clean dressed and assembled on the left side the parade. The Lieutenant-Governor's Commission was read by me as the Chaplain of the Colony. When that was done, the Military fired three vollies, and all gave three cheers for His Honor. The day would have passed off with the greatest joy, but that His Honor was obliged to punish the five deserters who had been brought back, in order to deter others from deserting. Captain Matthew, with his ship, the Ocean, got out of the Bay.

November 18 and 19.—Calcutta shifted her berth. Received a letter from her stating that the natives had obliged the wooding party to return on board. The blacks were nearly 400 in number. Three of the deserters returned to Camp. Placed an outpost near the Governor's garden, to give notice should the blacks approach the Camp. Heavy rains, with dreadful thunder and lightning.

November 20.—Calcutta under way, standing for a fresh water river. All assembled at Divine Service.

[The next few days immaterial. The weather unsettled, with thunder and lightning very frequent.]

November 25.—Sergeant Thomas's wife delivered of a boy, the first child born of European parents at Port Phillip.

December 5.—Calcutta having completed her water, took up her old station off One Tree Point.

December 9.—Lieutenant Tuckey, Lieutenant M'Cullock, Mr. White, Lieutenant Johnson, Mr. Bowden, Mr. Harris, with their servants, and three Marines, (all armed,) left the Camp for Western Port.

December 10.—Mr.Sladden and myself occupied a long time