Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/86

50 this settlement, proved also that its privations were felt to be very great.

Escape from Macquarie Harbour was well known to be a difficult and very hazardous undertaking, and very few who attempted it, reached the settled parts of the Colony. Out of the 112 who eloped, 62 were supposed to have perished in the bush, and 9 were murdered by their comrades on the journey, for a supply of food. For this purpose, the party proposing to attempt traversing the formidable forest, selected a weak minded man, and persuaded him to accompany them; and when the slender stock of provisions which they had contrived to save from their scanty rations, was exhausted, they laid violent hands on their victim. One party when lately apprehended near the settled districts, had in their possession, along with the flesh of a Kangaroo, a portion of that of one of their comrades! An appalling evidence of how easily man, in a depraved state, may descend even to cannibalism.

Of the small number who reached the settled part of the country, some were immediately apprehended; a few became formidable marauders, and were ultimately shot or executed; others escaped to New South Wales, but continuing their evil practices, were transported to Norfolk Island; and of the remainder, who were an inconsiderable number, the circumstances remain doubtful.

In the earlier days of this settlement flagellation was the chief punishment, and the reformation of the prisoners seemed hopeless. There is ground to believe the example of some of those under whose charge they were placed was at that period also of a deteriorating character. The first missionary sent here found a chief officer living in open profligacy, and saw so little prospect, under such circumstances, of being able to do any good among the prisoners, that he returned by the same vessel to Hobart Town.

Of latter time the administration of corporal punishment was much diminished, and that of solitary confinement increased, with evident advantage. Major Baylee also expostulated with the parties, and convinced them that he would not administer punishment without cause: this greatly