The landing of a part of the marines and convicts took place the next
day, and on the following, the remainder was disembarked. Business
now sat on every brow, and the scene, to an indifferent spectator,
at leisure to contemplate it, would have been highly picturesque and
amusing. In one place, a party cutting down the woods; a second, setting
up a blacksmith's forge; a third, dragging along a load of stones or
provisions; here an officer pitching his marquee, with a detachment of
troops parading on one side of him, and a cook's fire blazing up on
the other. Through the unwearied diligence of those at the head of the
different departments, regularity was, however, soon introduced, and, as
far as the unsettled state of matters would allow, confusion gave place
to system.
Into the head of the cove, on which our establishment is fixed, runs a
small stream of fresh water, which serves to divide the adjacent country
to a little distance, in the direction of north and south. On the
eastern side of this rivulet the Governor fixed his place of residence,
with a large body of convicts encamped near him; and on the western
side was disposed the remaining part of these people, near the marine
encampment.
Pages:
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62