ngers, and thrice
in one season his premises were pillaged.

The arrest of Musquito became an object of importance, and Colonel
Arthur, then Governor, offered a reward for his capture. Teague, an
aboriginal boy, brought up by Dr. Luttrel, was dispatched with two
constables. They overtook Musquito at Oyster Bay: he resisted, but was
shot in the groin, and being unarmed was captured, with two women, and
conveyed to Hobart town.

It was resolved to bring him to justice. By the care of Dr. Scott he was
cured, and transferred from the hospital to gaol. Black Tom was
subsequently taken, and both were tried for the murder of William
Holyhoak and Patrick M'Arthur. Of the last of these offences the
Tasmanian was found guilty, but Musquito was convicted of both.

Marmoa, an Otaheitian, was killed with Holyhoak: Musquito had lingered
in their neighbourhood, and watched their movements for days; he had
visited their hut, and received provisions from their hands; but on the
morning of the murder he purloined the guns and removed the dogs. Mamoa
fell instantly; but the Englishman endured the misery of long pursuit
and several wounds, and dropped at last, pierced through and through
with spears.

A murder, ascribed to black Tom, for which he was not put on trial,
displayed extraordinary perfidy. This black went to the residence of Mr.
Osborne, of Jericho, demanding bread. His appearance excited great
alarm: Mrs. Osborne was there alone; he, however, left her uninjured.
Next morning her husband ran into the house, exclaiming, "the hill is
covered with savages." He stood at the door on guard, and endeavoured to
soothe them. "What do you want--are you hungry?" "Yes, white man," said
Tom. Mrs. Osborne requested them to put down their spears. Tom
consented, if the gun were laid aside: this was done. On returning the
second time with food, Osborne missed his musket, and then said, "I am a
dead man." Two blacks came forward, and, as if in friendship, each took
him by the hand. At that moment, a savage behind him thrust a spear
through his back; he uttered a loud shriek, sprang convulsively forward,
and fell dead!

Such were the men who, in February, 1825, suffered death with six
European criminals. They were unassisted by counsel, and perhaps the
evidence was not fully understood by them. It is useless, however, to
extenuate their treachery: and their execution, whether politic or not,
can scarcely be accounted unjust. But, unhappily,