There are very few white convicts at this settlement, and, as I had behaved well from the first, I soon found myself a sort of privileged person.

I was given a hut in Hope Town, which is a small place on the slopes of Mount Harriet, and I was left pretty much to myself.

It is a dreary, fever-stricken place, and all beyond our little clearings was infested with wild cannibal natives, who were ready enough to blow a poisoned dart at us if they saw a chance.

There was digging, and ditching, and yam-planting, and a dozen other things to be done, so we were busy enough all day; though in the evening we had a little time to ourselves.

Among other things, I learned to dispense drugs for the surgeon, and picked up a smattering of his knowledge.