Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/474
at once explains to me what will be your feelings when the doubts, fears, and incertitude, to which you have been so long exposed, are removed."
In another letter he prepared his wife to see him changed, by saying that his "tempest-shattered bark would need repose." When he returned from exile, two natives entered his house while the family were at dinner. Sir William Macarthur, who was present, informed the author of the occurrence, in words whose natural eloquence it would be vain to polish and wrong to condense.
"Wine was put before them. Harry's friend bowed to my father and drunk the wine. Harry, after a pause, rose from his chair, and said, 'We have mourned for you as a father, and I have not words to say how much we rejoice in your return. Many are gone who would have rejoiced as much as I do, because we have always found a home and food and shelter with you. Those troubles which drove you away I hope will never come again. Now you are come back I hope you will never go away again, but live in peace, and at last leave your bones among us.'
"I remember thinking (Sir William added) that I had never seen manner more graceful, or heard expressions better turned than Harry's. Some strangers who were present were much astonished at his eloquence, and I regret that I cannot more accurately remember his words."
Long may the turf lie light over the grave at Camden Park, where the restless Macarthur at last left his bones among the diminished remnant of the race whose love he had won.