AFTER THE ABBIYAL OF THE SECOND FLEET. 149 This incident shows how little was known, at the time^ of ^'^ the country, even of the coast near Sydney. It also brought under the notice of the new occupiers of the land a fact of which they do not seem to have been previously aware — that the natives did not use a common language. It was NsUve discovered that tribes not far removed from Sydney spoke in a tongue which was not understood in the settlement. Port Stephens is only a hundred miles from Sydney, and yet, according to the account given by these four men, the language differed from any dialect known in the district surrounding Sydney.* Many other attempts were made to escape from the settle- ment, but few were successful. One of the exceptions was the case of Bryant and his companions.f The only way in which convicts could get clear away was by seizing a boat The only and putting to sea ; but a careful watch was kept, and it was of escape!*^ very seldom that escapes were made in this manner.]: It was a common thing, however, for convicts to take to the bush in twos or threes, or in larger parties, although the coast, and was diiTen past this harbour as far to the northward as Pprt Stephens, in which she anchored. There, to the great surprise of Captain Broughton, he found and receired on board four white people, (if four miserable, naked, dirty, andsmoak-driedmen could be eaUed white) runaways from this settlementl. . . . Four of these people (Joseph Sutton haying died) were now met with in this harbour by the officers of the ProTidence, and brought back to the colony. They told a melancholy tale of their Bufferings in the boat ; and for many days after their arrival passed their time in detailing to the crowds, both of black and white people which attended them, their adrentures in Port Stephens, the first harbour tbey made. Having lired like the sayages, among whom they dwelt, their change of food soon disagreed with them, and &ey were all taken ill, appearing to be principally affected with abdominal swellings. They spoke in high terms 'of the pacific disposition and gentle manners of the natires. They were at some distance inland when Ifr. Gximes was in Port Stephens ; but heard soon after of the schooner's Tisit, and well knew, and often afterwards saw, the man who had been fired at, but not killed at that time, as was supposed by Wilson. Each of them had had names given him, and given with several ceremonies. Wives also were allotted them, and one or two had children.^' • Collins, vol. i, p. 426. t See Vol. i, p. 172. X In December, 1791, two convicts stole a boat belonging to Mr. White, the chief surgeon, and sailed northwards up the coast, bat the day after their flight they were seen by the Gk)rgon between Bydn^ and Broken Bay. Pinding that they were discovered, tbey '*ran into the woods." — Collins, vol. i, p. 190.
