Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.3)

534 VAN diemen's land. Feb. 1836. for several years ; nothing seems fully to have impressed them with the idea of our overwhelming power, until the whole island, in 1830, was put under martial law, and by proclamation the whole population desired to assist in one great attempt to secure the entire race. The plan adopted was nearly similar to that of the great hunting-matches in India : a line reaching across the island was formed, with the intention of dri\'ing the natives into a cul-de-sac on Tasman's peninsula. The attempt failed ; the natives, having tied up their dogs, stole during one night through the lines. This is far from surprising, when their practised senses, and accustomed manner of crawling after wild animals is consi- dered. I have been assured that they can conceal themselves on almost bare ground, in a manner which until witnessed is scarcely credible. The country is every where scattered over mth blackened stumps, and the dusky natives are easily mistaken for these objects. I have heard of a trial between a party of Englishmen and a native who stood in fuU view on the side of a bare hill. If the Englishmen closed their eyes for scarcely more than a second, he would squat down, and then they were never able to distinguish the man from the surrounding stumps. But to return to the hunting-match ; the natives understanding this kind of warfare, were terribly alarmed, for they at once perceived the power and numbers of the whites. Shortly afterwards a party of thirteen belong- ing to two tribes came in; and, conscious of their unpro- tected condition, delivered themselves up in despair. Sub- sequently by the intrepid exertions of Mr. Robinson, an active and benevolent man, who fearlessly visited by himself the most hostile of the natives, the whole were induced to act in a similar manner. They were then removed to Gun Carriage Island, where food and clothes were provided them. I fear from what I heard at Hobart Town, that they are very far from being contented : some even think the race vnU. soon become extinct. The Beagle staid here ten days, and in this time I made several pleasant little excursions, chiefly with the object of