Governor Phillip, on his return from this excursion, had the mortification to find that five ewes and a lamb had been killed very near the camp, and in the middle of the day. How this had happened was not known, but it was conjectured that they must have been killed by dogs belonging to the natives. The loss of any part of the stock of cattle was a serious misfortune, since it must be a considerable time before it could be replaced. Fish affords, in this place, only an uncertain resource: on some days great quantities are caught, though not sufficient to save any material part of the provisions; but at times it is very scarce. An account of the live stock at this time in the settlement is subjoined to this chapter. The three transports bound to China, sailed the 5th, 6th, and 8th of May; and the Supply having been caulked, sailed on the 6th to Lord Howe Island for turtle, in hopes of giving some check to the scurvy, with which the people were still so much affected that near two hundred were incapable of work. From the great labour which attended the clearing of the ground it proved to be impracticable to sow at present more than eight or ten acres with wheat and barley*: and it was apprehended that even this crop would suffer from the depredations of ants and field mice. In the beginning of May it was supposed, as it had been once or twice before, that the rainy season was set in; but in about a week the weather became fine again. [* Besides what was sown by the Lieutenant Governor and other individuals, for the support of their own stock: to assist whom, the labour of the convicts was occasionally lent.] AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIVE STOCK IN THE SETTLEMENT AT PORT JACKSON, MAY 1ST, 1788. Government Stallions 1 Mares 2 Bulls 2 Cows 2 Sheep: Ram 1 Ewes 12 Wethers 3 Goats 1 Hogs: Boar 1 Sows 19 Governor Mares 1 Colts 3 Cows 2 Sheep: Ewe 1 Lamb 1 Hogs 10 Rabbits 3 Turkies 5 Geese 8 Ducks 17 Fowls 22 Lieutenant Governor Goats 1 Hogs 1 Pigs 7 Turkies 5 Geese 6 Ducks 4 Fowls 9 Officers and men belonging to the detachment Cows 1 Goats 12 Hogs 10 Pigs 17 Rabbits 2 Turkies 6 Geese 9 Ducks 8 Fowls 55 Chickens 25 Staff Sheep 11 Goats 5 Hogs 7 Pigs 1 Turkies 2 Geese 6 Ducks 6 Fowls 36 Chickens 62 Other individuals Hogs 1 Totals Stallions 1 Mares 3 Colts 3 Bulls 2 Cows 5 Sheep 29 Goats 19 Hogs 49 Pigs 25 Rabbits 5 Turkies 18 Geese 29 Ducks 35 Fowls 122 Chickens 87 (Signed,) ANDREW MILLER, Commissary. Chapter XII. May 1788 to June 1788 The Supply returns from Lord Howe Island--Some convicts assaulted by the natives--excursion of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay by Land--interview with many natives--the fourth of June celebrated--some account of the climate. 25 May 1788