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22 THE WILD WHITE MAN’S PORT PHILLIP BLACK FRIENDS. Buckley ran away from the English Penal Settlement of Port Phillip at the end of December, 1803 ; that establishment being removed to the hanks of the Derwent, in Yan Diemen’s Land, a few weeks after his flight. The tribe with whom he found favour, and dwelt for so many years, lived on that coast of the Bay oppo site to the prisoners’ establishment, and had no association with the Whites; from the hostility of the native communities, the Geelong men were not likely even to hear of the arrival of these curious strangers. It was otherwise with the Port Phillip Bay Blacks, whose hunting grounds extended eastward as well as northward of the Port, and who could not avoid knowledge of their wonderful neighbours. We have two sources of information res pecting this intercourse ; the journal of the Rev. Robert Knopwood, Chaplain to the Settlement, and afterwards the first Chaplain of Hobart Town ; and the published work of Lieutenant J. H. Tuckey, of the Calcutta, the vessel that brought Governor Collins out to this Colony in 1803. The notices of our Black Friends by the Clergyman are these :— October 10. “ Three natives came to us, and were very friendly.” October 22. On that day is entered the intelligence of Gammon and Harris being beset by Blacks, and calling upon Lieut. Tuckey to fire. Upon firing over their heads, they all dispersed. But the Chief returned, ornamented with a turban crown. Fresh pro vocations being received, a charge was made. We quote the journal: “ Mr. Tuckey fired over them a second time, at which they again retired a short distance. They were in great numbers, and all armed. Finding that none of their party were wounded by the firing, they again advanced ; hut when one of them was about to throw his spear at Mr. Tuckey, he gave orders to shoot him as an example. Our people fired, and killed him, and another was wounded ; on which they all fled. Had not Mr. Tuckey fortunately come up with his boat, there is no doubt hut that they would have killed Mr. Gammon and Mr. Harris and their two men, and perhaps have eaten them, for there is great reason to believe they are cannibals.”
