Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/90

permitted to become a passenger in the Neptune. The early chronicler, Collins, says of him, "There came out in the Neptune a person of the name of Wentworth, who being desirous of some employment in this country, was sent (1st Aug.) to Norfolk Island as an assistant to the surgeon there, being reputed to have the necessary requisites for such a situation."

On the 28th July, Phillip sent the Justinian to land stores at Norfolk Island, and to proceed to China to load with tea for the English Government. On the 1st of August the Surprise was sent to Norfolk Island with thirty-five male and 150 female convicts. Before following the fortunes of Norfolk Island, it may be stated that the Supply, surpassing expectation, returned to Sydney on the 19th September with many much-prized articles for the colonists; that the Waaksamheyd, hired by Lieut. Ball to follow him, arrived with her stores on the 17th Dec.; that for the flour purchased at Batavia, 10¾d. per lb. were demanded; and that consequently Ball had procured (instead of 70,000) 200,000 lbs. of rice, his purchases altogether amounting to nearly £12,000 sterling.

To conclude the record of starvation and endurance it is necessary to return to the inhabitants of Norfolk Island, who were in March left by the Supply. The ill-fated Sirius still held together even in May, and when weather permitted a few sailors went on board to save whatever articles they could take on shore. On the 4th June (Captain Hunter writes): "Our distress did not make us forget that this was the birthday of our beloved sovereign. In the morning colours were displayed, and at noon three volleys of musketry were fired by the marines as an acknowledgment that we were Britons, who, however distant and distressed, revered our king, and loved our country." Disorder and thieving were severely punished. The sailors of the Sirius made fishing-lines and hooks, and fished when the weather permitted. A party of marines, and all the convicts, cleared ground for corn and potatoes, but Hunter wrote: "The people in general were reduced so low in bodily strength for want of a sufficiency of food that much work could not be expected." Much ground was planted with potatoes, as likely to yield the promptest crop. The lonely