I spoke to him of events in New Zealand, the heavy
slaughter of British soldiers, and the evident critical situation. I had
no distinct authority to order his vessel to New Zealand, but I felt it
to be a wise step.
Accordingly, I wrote him a letter saying he ought to proceed to the scene
of trouble, and that I was prepared to assume the responsibility. We got
together what materials of war were available in South Australia, and
what money we could spare from the Treasury of the Colony. So furnished,
he sailed for New Zealand.
'A few days later, I was out riding with my step-brother from England,
who was on a visit to me at Adelaide. We were cantering along a road near
the coast, when a man with a light cart stopped us. An unknown ship had
been sighted before we left Adelaide, and this man came from the quarter
where she had taken up anchor. He stated that it was the "Elphinstone,"
belonging to the East India Company, that despatches had been brought for
me, and that he had them in his cart. He added that the "Elphinstone" had
come to take me away, and that some of the officers would very likely be
landed by the time I got to the place of anchor-age. This was all very
puzzling. I jumped off my horse, sat down beside some trees, opened the
despatch bag, and devoured its contents.
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