1788. at fome diftance, difcovered ftrong marks of concern, and
Auguft. - fcreamed loudly when any of the combatants appeared
to be wounded, c As the boat was returning clofe along
fliore, a fpear was thrown at the people by fome of the
natives, who were lurking behind the trees and rocks. It
was hurled with fuch force, that it flew a eonfiderable way
ovfer the boat, although we were between thirty and forty
yards from the fhore.
It was late in the evening before we arrived in Sydney
C6ve ; and as foon as the governor landed, he was informed
that a gold mine had been difcovered, near the entrancejnf
the harbour, by a eonvidt During his excellency’s
abfence, the. coavift had made this difeovery known to the
lieutenant governor and the judge advocate; for which* he
• faid, that he hoped and expected to have his freedom, and
a pecuniary reward. The gentlemen to whom he applied
anfwered, that they could not promife-to grant his requeft
until he fhould have put them in pofleflion of the mine;
but, that they were well affured that the governor would
beftoW on him a proper recompence, after fuflicient proof of
the difeovery. A boat was, in confequcnce, ordered from
the Sirius, to carry him and Captain Campbell down to the
place
mm
place where he declared that the mine was lituated. At their
landing,' he be'gged leave to withdraw a little, on fome
neceflary tfcçaïfiô'n ; when, inftead of returning to CâjÉaia
Campbell’, he went, back to the camp, and-waiting on the
lieutenant' governor and judge advocate,' aflerted that he
had put Cap tail# Campbell in pofleflion of the mine, g who
had difpatched him ~oéër land for another officer and a proper
guard. His account not being doubted^ 'ife! vfëts well fed:
and treated;, and Lieutenant Patflden, with a*guard and
all neceflary articles,- was ordered to-1" attend him to the
place. But, before_ they could fefc out, to thé great
aftonifhment oh all, Captain Campbell arrived, and
unravelled the-whole o r this extraordinary deception. This
-produced an unexpected revolution. Inflead ó f' receiving
a reward for his golden dlfcdven&f^ the impoftor was
immediately taken into' c-uftody, with two others, fuppofed
to be concerned in carrying on the artifice. The next day
he was examined, with great priVacy and lïriétnefs ; but no
fatisfaâory elucidation being obtained from him, he was
‘ ordered to be , feverel'y whipped'. Subfequently to this
punifhment, 'ofj which he was| prepared tcKexpe'éfc a weekly
répétition, -between the'i'fitefyals of hard labour, and to be
E e loaded
1788.
Auguft.