Page:Some account of the wars, extirpation, habits.djvu/55

Rh but he had resided long in this colony, and was what was called a civilised black, that is, one who had lived among Europeans and learned something of their arts and practises. In former years he had acted for the Government as a tracker of the bush-ranging classes, then a pretty numerous community, but more particularly as the pursuer of the "last and worst of the bush-rangers," as he was styled, namely the notorious Michael Howe. But alter the downfall and death of this desperate outlaw, which put an end to freebooting in Tasmania for one long while, his services were no longer required by the police.

It might, however, have been expected that such a person as Musquito, who had "done the state some service," and jeopardised his safety over and over again in his dangerous calling, would have received something more than a mere dismissal when no longer wanted, which was what he got, and no more.

The occupation he had followed so long, and now involuntarily relinquished, acquired for him, especially with the prisoner classes, a large share of the odium that attaches itself to the miserable office of an informer, exposing him to insult wherever he appeared, that was more than the sensitive savage could bear with. Exasperated at the indignities he was doomed to undergo, now that governmental employ and protection were withdrawn, he separated himself from the whites, and joined his fortunes with those of one of the East Coast tribes, afterwards styled the Oyster Bay tribe, of which he became the leader, and, it is believed, its instructor in mischief.

During the period of his connection with these new associates, he is accused of having slaughtered very many stockkeepers; but the number of these atrocities is probably much exaggerated; and the reports, though written in a most inimical spirit, do not seem to implicate him much more deeply in them than the rest of his gang. It was, however, determined to get hold of him if possible, and bring him to justice, that the punishment of such an arch offender might act as a warning to others.

Of the horde with whom the Sydney native was associated, was a man whose tribal name has not descended to us, but who was known to the colonists by the nickname of Black Jack, the same who died with Musquito, as related precedingly. Musquito suffered for the murder of two men, named respectively William Hollyoak, and Mammoa, who was a native of Otaheite; and Black Jack for killing a person named Patrick McCarthy. Jack was also tried for implication in the offence for which Musquito died, as he was present at them along with sixty or seventy others of his countrymen; but as guilty participation could not be brought home to him, he was acquitted of the charges for which