The sheep began
to die, so they sold them to Captain Cole at ten shillings a head,
giving in the other stock. They were of the opinion that they had
made an excellent bargain, but when the muster was made nine thousand
six hundred of the sheep were missing. The pigs ran wild, but
multiplied. When the last sheep had perished, Cole sold his license
to a man named Thomas, who put on more sheep, and afterwards
exchanged as many as he could find with John King for cattle and
horses. Morrison next occupied the island until he was starved out.
Then another man named Thomas took the fatal grazing license, but he
did not live on the land. He placed his brother in charge of it, to
be out of the way of temptation, as he was too fond of liquor. The
brother was not allowed the use of a boat; he, with his wife and
family, was virtually a prisoner, condemned to sobriety. But by this
time a lighthouse had been erected, and Watts the keeper of it had a
boat, and was, moreover, fond of liquor. The two men soon became
firm friends, and often found it necessary to make voyages to Port
Albert for flour, or tea, or sugar. The last time they sailed
together the barometer was low, and a gale was brewing. When they
left the wharf they had taken on board all the stores they required,
and more; they were happy and glorious. Next day the masthead of
their boat was seen sticking out of the water near Sunday Island.
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