Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/79

 he could hardly expect to restrain their wildness or despair. What hope was there for the settlement unless the Sirius should succeed in her voyage? After reaching Norfolk Island she was to proceed to China for provisions, and to return to Sydney.

The harbourless Norfolk Island had seriously occupied Phillip's care. On the 6th March, 1788, his subaltern, King, had formally taken possession with like observances to those adopted in Sydney. But neither Phillip nor King could be slow to apprehend the dangers of the situation.

"Dear King (the former wrote to the man he so much trusted) . . . I hope you get fish, which will enable you to make the provisions you have last much longer than the time for which they are sent, as our only dependence is on ships expected out, which may fail us. . . . You shall hear from me respecting the island and your wants by the Sirius; till when God bless you.

When King replied, the dreaded weevil had been found in the seed wheat he was preparing to sow. But he kept up his courage and asked for more men for agriculture. He had searched for the flax plant vainly at first, for his people looked for a congener of the European plant; but after some days they detected in abundance the Phormium tenax which Cook saw when he discovered Norfolk Island. In Oct., 1788, two flax-dressers were employed, and other work was so far advanced that Phillip's pleasant words, "I am fully satisfied that everything which is possible will be done by you," could be received with satisfaction. But in Feb., 1789, the situation became gloomier. More people were sent to Norfolk Island, but not sufficient food for them. King was implored to eke out subsistence with fish.