or the night, and illumined the whole distance of thirty miles,
from Prosser's River to Sorell; and sentinels paced within hail of each
other. The police magistrates visited the several posts on horseback,
and the Governor rode rapidly along the line, from the Clyde to Spring
Bay. Dr. Ross recording his Excellency's exertions, states, that to
allow them a full description, would leave no room for any other topic!
His labours and perils were the theme of admiration and sympathy: it was
reported, that he was lost three days in Paradise--a place renowned for
its miserable vegetation, and the dreariness of its scenery. The warlike
tone of the day may excite a smile, but the fatigue was indisputable;
and although the slipperiness of the foe gave the air of mock heroism to
the service, the watchers of the line were reminded, by frequent tidings
from homeward, that their enemy was strong enough to deal death to the
aged and the innocent. Four blacks, who crossed the line, and hung upon
its rear, inflicted terrible vengeance. One attacked a settler, who
returned a mortal wound with a pitchfork. The survivors hovered about
the place to avenge his death: they at length found a victim in an
amiable young lady, Miss Peters; who was speared in the breast. She
felt, from the first, that the wound was mortal, and calmly resigned
herself to her destiny. Others, left by their friends and dependants,
were liable to the same perils: of this, Mr. Gildas, a settler on the
Tamar, was a remarkable instance: he had sent his men to the line, and
was thus alone. He left his house to seek for fire-wood, and was
speared. The savages plundered his house, and defaced the pictures on
the walls. A pilot, calling at his dwelling, found it pillaged and
desolate. This man was at the battle of Trafalgar, and present when
Nelson fell--himself reserved to perish in Tasmania, by savage hands.

The division under Captain Donaldson, which followed up the main body of
the forces, arrived on the 31st of October. Colonel Arthur issued from
the camp (Sorell Rivulet), a statement that the final decisive movement
was at hand, and that those who had been exposed to great privations,
would soon be released to their homes. Having been compelled to await
reinforcements, the campaign had been unavoidably prolonged: to have
moved without them, would have risked the success of the enterprise; the
two dangerous tribes would attempt to escape, and the forces in charge
were ex