Smith — Exploration of Tasman Bay. 435 



petual cries deafened us, and their presence was much in the way 

 of the sailors, and interfered with working the ship. I endured 

 their presence, however, importunate as they were, up till the 

 last, in order to leave a good impression of the character of their 

 guests. Happily, as the rain ceased we were deprived of their 

 presence, as we lay becalmed at two miles from the shore. The 

 Natives profited by that circumstance to make a short de- 

 monstration alongside about noon. Lastly, by aid of a light breeze 

 from the N. and N.N.W. I made the best of my way towards 

 the opening that I had observed on the east coast of the bay. 

 At 3.45 p.m., and at the distance of fifteen miles about, that 

 opening presented the appearance of a deep bay, so I steered 

 N.E. \ E. towards another opening much more prominent. 

 Nevertheless, an hour afterwards the first embayment took on 

 another aspect, and M. Guilbert believing he could see a channel, 

 I steered right for it, in order to approach and spare myself any 

 after-regrets. At 7.40 p.m. we were opposite that bay, and at 

 less than a league's distance from the two points. From there 

 we convinced ourselves that it did not offer any channel practi- 

 cable by our ship. At the same time that bay, which I named 

 " Croiselles Bay," should offer a large and good anchorage 

 in all winds from south, the east, and even north-west, because 

 of some islets situated near the north point, and which perfectly 

 shelter that side. Near to us the coast was very steep every- 

 where, and the depth was constantly 25 fathoms. It was too 

 late to look for a suitable anchorage ; in consequence, I steered 

 off the land to pass the night ; but hardly had we shifted the 

 sheets when it fell dead calm, leaving us at the mercy of the 

 current and a somewhat heavy swell. , So we passed the entire 

 night less than three miles from the land, a prey to the most 

 lively inquietude, and dreading to be carried, in spite of our- 

 selves, on to the coast. The lead cast everv half-hour showed 

 25 fathoms constantly, with a muddy bottom ; but I refrained 

 from anchoring lest obliged to do so, for I feared to be surprised 

 at anchor by a strong N.W. wind, which would have left us 

 without any resource. 



23rd January. — Towards 4 a.m. we recognised that we had, 

 in spite or our care, much approached the land, and were not 

 more than half a league off it. Vainly I had out the oars of the 

 gallery [? galley, boat], and manoeuvred to profit by the least 

 puff of wind ; the swell continued to carry us nearer and nearer 

 to the shore, and at 8.10 a.m., in spite of my repugnance and all 

 our efforts, there remained nothing for it but to anchor in 20 

 fathoms. We were at that time not more than 500 fathoms 

 from the rocks on the shore, on which the sea was breaking 

 heavily. [According to the chart, the anchorage was about a 



