Percy, who
replied, "Ah, the poor fellows are very unfortunate. They brought
out a fair capital, and had as large a stock of sheep and cattle as
the Canterbury party have. About six months, however, before you
arrived--yes, it's just a year now--the Indians swept down upon
them, and carried off every animal they had. They attacked the
house, but the Jamiesons defended themselves well; and the Indians
were anxious to get off with their booty, and so they beat a
retreat. Pursuit was hopeless; every horse had been driven off, and
they had to walk six miles to the next hacienda to give the news;
and long before a party could be got together the Indians were
beyond the possibility of pursuit. Two or three hundred sheep and a
dozen or two of the bullocks found their way back, and these and
their land was all that remained to the Jamiesons of their capital,
for they had invested all they had in their stock. However, they
looked affairs manfully in the face, sold their animals, bought a
couple of plows and draught bullocks, hired a peon or two, and set
to work with a will. They will get on but slowly for a time; but I
have no doubt that they will do well in the course of a few years.
Men with their pluck and perseverance are certain to get on. That
puts me in mind, Hardy, of a matter upon which I had intended to
speak to you.
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