In descending, we got into a thick part of the forest, through which we had sometimes to force our way among deep cutting-grass, and tangled Bauera; and sometimes we had to travel on fallen trees, at an elevation above "terra firma," much greater than was agreeable. We were glad to reach a known track, in the foot of the mountain while twilight lasted, having effected the descent in 3 hours.

While we were at Hobart Town, at this time a prisoner, named Robert King, died in the Hospital. We had long felt much interest respecting him, on account of his simple. piety. He gave me the following account of his life, which I have interspersed with a few remarks upon his situation as a prisoner, and his state as a practical Christian.

Robert King, was the son of persons in respectable circumstances, who resided in London: they gave him a good education, but at an early age he fell into much evil, under the influence of bad company: he became exceedingly intemperate, and immoral in other respects; and at length, his conduct was unbearable to his relations, and they closed their doors against him, so that he became, in the true sense of the word, an Outcast. He joined himself to a gang of thieves in Tothill-fields; who supported themselves in their profligacy, by picking pockets, and committing other kinds of robbery. He adopted infidel principles, on similar grounds to those on which, there is reason to believe, many other infidels have also adopted them; and who are, nevertheless, very ready to ridicule the truths of Christianity, with a pretence of being very knowing about them: -"Not," said R. King, "because I had carefully examined the subject and found any reasonable objection to the truths of Holy Scripture; but because I wished to be an infidel, and hoped there was no future state; for, I knew, if there was, I had no prospect of happiness in it."

But though R. King had joined with those fools, who, in their folly, deny the being of a God, and who make a mock of sin, yet God, who is long-suffering, and rich in mercy, still followed him for good; and, in the dispensation of his providence, the transgressor was arrested by the strong arm of the law, when sinning with a high hand,

M

and was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to be transported.

Having forfeited, by his crimes, that freedom to which, as an Englishman, he was born, his ankles were loaded with chains, and he was subjected to the rigid discipline of a convict, on a voyage of sixteen thousand miles from his native land-that land to which he was never more to return-and on arriving at Hobart Town, he, and his numerous shipmates, under like circumstances, were assigned into bond service. This service differs little from slavery, except that the prisoner remains the property of the Government, and consequently cannot be sold by his master. The master agrees with the Government to comply with certain terms in regard to the food, clothing, and labour of the assigned servant; and the servant may complain to a magistrate if his master fail to do justly in these respects. But the prisoner is liable, on the complaint of his master, to be flogged or sent to work in chains, for insubordination and other offences; and his insubordination may often be little more than irritation of temper, excited by an unreasonable master.

The convict, like a slave, may happen to be the servant of a kind or of a hard-hearted master; and if he should be the servant of a hard master, he must bear it, for he cannot change at pleasure, because he is in bondage-galling bondage! a state from which even those who have the best of masters, are glad to be delivered.

On arriving in Van Diemens Land, R. King saw several young men, whom he had known in England, such as himself, but who, in the day of their trouble had sought the Lord, and had come under the power of religion; and the change in them was so great, that he began to think there was more in religion than he had been willing to admit. Happily for him, he was assigned to a kind and pious master, whose wife was of similar character; and their example helped to deepen those favourable impressions which he had received, in regard to religion, at a time when his heart was softened by the affliction that he had brought upon himself by his sins. His mind now became open to

the convictions of the Holy Spirit as a reprover of evil; he saw the sinfulness of sin, and felt the terror of the Lord in his soul, because of his transgression; and, in repentance, he began to cry for mercy, to that God whom he had despised; for he now no longer doubted the existence of that Almighty Being, whose hand lay heavy upon him in judgment. He lamented his folly, abhorring himself in deep humiliation; and the Lord was pleased to open his understanding, to look upon Jesus, as the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world; and to give him an evidence by the Spirit, of the pardon of his sins, through faith in that atoning blood which was shed upon the cross, for the redemption of sinners.

The sense of the love of God, who had been thus merciful to him, contrited him greatly, and he earnestly desired to live to his glory; but he found that the natural depravity of his own heart had been so greatly increased by indulgence in sin, that he was very easily ensnared. He now experimentally learned, that he could only stand against temptation by watchfulness and prayer to God, who alone was able to deliver him. In these exercises he persevered, and God was honoured by his upright conduct, which gained him also the favour of pious persons, who became acquainted with him, and who esteemed him as a brother in Christ, notwithstanding, he was still a prisoner. His master was interested in the management of "a Sabbath school;" and in this, R. King gladly rendered assistance, from a desire to do what he could, toward training up children in the fear of the Lord, in the hope that they might be preserved from the snares into which he had fallen.

As he grew in grace, he felt more strongly his own unworthiness and helplessness, and understood better than when he was first awakened from sleep in sin, that it is for Christ's sake alone, and through his intercession, that mankind have access to the throne of grace; and he became diligent in waiting upon God, with his mind stayed upon Him, and in lifting up his heart in prayer, according to the sense of his necessity, given him at the time.

After having maintained a Christian character for a

considerable period, he was attacked by a fever; and though he recovered from it so as to be able to walk out, and enjoy the fresh air, yet the effects of his former depravity upon his constitution prevented him from regaining his strength, and he died while yet but a young man. Disease, for a short time, rather beclouded his mind; and he expressed a fear respecting the sincerity of his love to God: but the fruits meet for repentance, that he had continued to bring forth from the time of his awakening, left no room to doubt his sincerity, but afforded ground to believe, that, as he had penitently sought the forgiveness of his sins, through Jesus Christ, and the help of God, to turn away from his wickedness, and to do that which was lawful and right, he was mercifully prepared to join the glorious company, "who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."*

This account of R. King, with a few additional remarks, is published by "The York Friends' Tract Association," under the title of "The Van Diemens Land Convict."

CHAPTER XIV.

Second Visit to Flinders Island.-West Coast Aborigines.-Dislike to Fat.Emigrants.-Bruny Island.-Port Arthur.-Guard of Dogs, &c.-Discipline.Diving of Native Women.-Shamrock Stranded.-Flinders Island.-Planting Potatoes.-Difference.-Civilization.-Grass-tree Plains.-Prime Seal Island.

-Spears. Climbing Trees.-Comparative Skill -Mustering.-Cleanliness.Catechist.-Light-house.-Bush-rangers. Launceston.

SOME disagreement having arisen between a person employed as Catechist, at the Establishment for the Aborigines, on Flinders Island, and the officers there, which the Commandant had suggested we might be helpful in reconciling, the Lieut. Governor applied to us on the subject, and after serious consideration, we believed it right to accept his invitation again to visit the Island. The Shamrock cutter was put under our direction for the voyage, and we sailed from Hobart Town on the 22nd of 11th month, Richard H. Davies, being in command of the vessel.

We had on board a party of sixteen Aborigines, who had joined G. A. Robinson, on the west coast. When we were first introduced to them, they were smeared from head to foot with red ochre and grease; and, to add to their adornment, some of them had blackened a space of about a hand's breadth, on each side of their faces, their eyes being nearly in the centre of each black mark! Some of the elderly women were as far removed from handsome as human beings could well be. As they sat naked upon the ground, with their knees up, and their heads bare, their resemblance to Oran-outangs was such as to afford some apology for those who have represented them as allied to those animals. Some of the younger women were of a