1825.) 
The face of the mainland had altered 
considerably; immense quantities of 
very white sand being drifted from the 
beach, on the face of the hills along 
the coast, for the distance of five hun- 
dred, miles, giving the appearance of 
a continued range of large straggling 
towns.) Still, where the verdure was 
not..choaked by sand, the vallies held 
their delightful look ; but the mountains 
were loaded with amazing masses of 
detached sand-stone, heaped in piles 
“one on the other. 
_The natives continued to light their 
fires as we advanced along the coast, 
probably to draw their tribes together. 
7th.—Twelve a.m. Isle off Cape Tri- 
bulation south seventeen west, summit of 
Cape Flattery, north twelve west thirteen 
or fourteen leagues; at half-past five 
came-to in sixteen fathoms, north end 
of Turtle Reef south and by east half- 
east; Mount Cook, south-west and by 
south ; summit of Cape Flattery, north 
fourteen west. On this island, we went 
on shore, to procure specimens and to 
see what the island produced ; we found 
here cockles of enormous size: Captain 
Cook mentions that they found some 
that weighed upwards of fifty pounds ; 
however we met with none that weighed 
more than from twenty to twenty-four 
pounds—the fish of which were excel- 
lent. 
8/h.—This morning being calm, I was 
sent a-head to an island, to procure any 
thing the place afforded, but before I 
had reached the shore the signal of re- 
call was made, which, however, I thought 
fit not to see; but when on the point 
of landing, a shot was fired, which 
obliged me to return, a good. deal dis- 
appointed ; but was better pleased when 
I found that the cause of my recall was, 
that a party of natives had been dis- 
coyered from the ship, lurking amongst 
the bushes where we were to. land; 
however, we in the boat saw nothing 
of them. 
This was the most difficult naviga- 
tion we had yet met with, the whole 
sea, as far as the eye could reach, being 
studded with rocks, their heads just 
peeping above the water. It was in this 
place Captain Cook got on shore in the 
Endeavour. With light breezes and 
fine weather, running down the coast, 
we saw several groups of natives, danc- 
ing and playing all manner of antics. 
At twelve; summit of Point Look-Out, 
north eighty-five west. Turtle Island 
Group north fifty-fivewest, Lizard Island 
north twenty-nine east. At half-past 
Voyage to Australia, §c. 
123 
three, came-to with the best bower. 
At daylight, weighed and made sail ; 
soundings from nineand halfto seventeen 
fathoms. At half-past five, came-to un- 
der the lee of Howick’s Group ; parties 
on shore to procure specimens; I was 
fortunate enough to find beans resem- 
bling the scarlet runners of England. 
10¢h.—Saw several of the natives on 
the mainland, but not sufficiently near 
to see what they looked like. At half- 
past five, came-to in fourteen fathoms ; 
Cape Melville north-west and by west. 
At this place Mr. Chartres the assist- 
ant-surgeon, and myself, went on shore 
on a very small island, with a sandy 
beach, in the hope to procure some 
turtle ; from the smallness of the island, 
we never imagined we should find na- 
tives there, and took only one carbine, 
in the boat. Having searched in vain for 
turtle, we walked on to make a tour of 
the island, previous to our going on 
board, it being nearly dark; but on 
turning an angle of the wood, we saw 
a group of Indians, round a blazing fire, 
not more than forty or fifty yards from 
us ; the first impression on my mind 
was to run for it, but recollecting they 
could easily overtake us, I fired right 
over their heads to make them run; 
they started up in amazement, and be- 
fore they recovered, I had loaded and 
fired again, when they took to their 
heels, and darted ‘past us into a thicket 
with the rapidity of lightning, and we, 
being well pleased with their activity, 
scampered off to our boat, 
This day at noon, Point Foley south- 
west two miles. 
11¢h.—Light breezes and fine wea- 
ther. At twelve, Cape Melville south, 
thirty-five east, seven miles; at five 
forty-five, shortened sail and came-to, 
Cape Flinders east three-quarters south, 
Black Island east half-north, current 
setting to the westward a mile an hour. 
12th. —Passed innumerable islands 
and shoals. At four a.m. bore up for 
Night Island. At five hauled out to 
north-east ; at a quarter past five came- 
to under Sherrard’s Isle. 
Monday 13th. — Running down the 
north-east of Australia; Piper’s Island 
north-west and by west two and half 
miles; soundings from ten to seventeen 
fathoms. At fifty minutes past two 
rounded Cape Grenyille, and steered 
north-west and by west. Ata quarter 
past five came to, in ten fathoms, Bird 
Islands bearing from thirty-nine east to 
south fifty-four, distance one mile and 
quarter, 
R 2 14th. 
