LOG OF MR. SIMPSON. 253 



making^ towards Cape Bedford^ and he mig-lit have 

 taken that dh*ection. Two larg-e sharks were seen 

 about the sliip this mornmg- ; it is our impression 

 the man can never have reached the hind ; the black 

 was seen by Parker^ on deck^ at two a.m.^ whilst it 

 w^as thundering-j lightening*, and raining*, but was 

 never seen afterwards. 



EXTEACT 



From the private log- of T. Beckford Simpson, 

 master of the brig* ^^ Freak/'* giving* an account 

 of her proceeding's when employed in searching- 

 for the papers, &c., connected with the late Mr. 

 Kennedy's exploring* party. 



May 2ncl, 1849. — In the nig-ht fresh breezes from 

 N.E. with rain • at daylig-ht weig-hed and made sail, 

 the Harbing-er in compan}^ ; shaped a course to pass 

 between Cape Direction and the low sandy island 

 which lies off it j passed close to the latter ] I 

 observed the reef extending- from the N.E. end 

 further than laid down on the chart ; after passing- 

 it, and g'iving* Cape Direction a g*ood berth, shaped 



* Under contract with the Colonial Government to call (on her 

 way to Port Essington) at Shelburne Bay and Escape River, to 

 ascertain — if possible — the fate of the three men left at the 

 former place, and recover the papers of Mr. Kennedy secreted by 

 Jackey Jackey, who went in the Freak to point out the localities. 



