“Six, gentlemen,” said the governor; and after a little official business the party descended into the boat, and, feeling as if it were all a dream and impossible, Nic sat there being rowed ashore toward Government House, holding his father’s hand for the first few minutes till he fancied that he was noticed, and then listening to him as he pointed out the various buildings ashore, and the vessels afloat, two of them being men-of-war, whose rigging was gay with bunting in honour of the governor’s lady’s return.
“Well, Nic,” said his father at last, as they gazed searchingly in each other’s eyes, and with the most satisfactory result, “do you think you will like Australia?”
“Like it?” cried Nic. “Why, of course, father: isn’t it home?”
“Yes, but rather a rough, unpolished place.”
“What does that matter!” said Nic proudly. “Shan’t I be with you all again?”
Chapter Seven.
Preparing to Start.
In those days it did not take long to see the town. There were some shabby-looking stores and shops, a few settlers’ houses, the hotel, taverns, and plenty of tents. The substantial parts were the buildings erected for the soldiery and convicts. But these latter were busy enough, gangs of them being marched out every morning under a strong guard to work at road making, quarrying, and other tasks; and as Nic, boy like, went round everywhere during the few days of his stay at the governor’s house, he ran up eagerly, as soon as a convict gang appeared, to see if he could encounter his old shipboard friend the head warder, and whether he could recognise any of the convicts who came out in the Northumbrian.