a free man, and
rejoiced in the interval of his servitude; and keen and canny volunteers
embraced the opportunity to range the unknown territory, for the
discovery of some neglected spot, which might offer a future home.

On the 1st of October, the whole country was declared under martial law;
excepting, however, from its operation, not only the British, but such
of the aborigines as were pacific. This measure was of no great moment,
except that it authorised the pursuit of all natives in every quarter.

The journals not favorable to the scheme, predicted its failure. There
were vast probabilities against it: the nature of the force--the seat of
war--the foe--the discipline--even the orders not to kill, were all
peculiar and discouraging. Townsmen, little accustomed to fatigue, and
sportsmen not disposed to be silent, were to move sometimes in a regular
and quiet line. A shot carelessly fired, the momentary slumber of an
undisciplined sentinel, or the lazy evasion of a scout, might disconcert
the whole campaign. No Englishman could follow up the native: the array,
the number and the glancing of muskets, gave warning from afar. An
European, encumbered with his dress, could only move slowly, and when
passing the bush must pause every moment, or be tortured at every step;
but the native could swing from bough to bough, mount to the topmast
branch like an opossum, move past the people seeking him diligently, or
lie down until they were gone. To many of the colonists, the campaign
was no child's play. The pursuit of solitary white or black rangers of
the wood, was exhilarating to men of great animal courage, and who could
enjoy long intervals of rest; but a regular march, through such a
country, soon wore out the patience of many, and they were glad to
resign the glorious undertaking to more ardent warriors.

As the campaign advanced, the weather was unpropitious: crossing the
rivers became dangerous; trees had to be cut down to form temporary
bridges. These obstacles cooled the spirit of volunteers, who passed
rapidly from discontent to criticism, and from criticism to despair.
"Many crawled home:" such was the indignant description of their
retreat, given by their comrades; and whilst the drenched, but
decreasing forces lay along the line, young men, it was said, crowded
the streets of the capital, ignobly forgetful of the common cause.

Parties were divided into threes, each forming a night watch: fires were
lighted f