CAPE VILLARET. 71 



again favoured with fine weather, and light westerly 

 winds. The land was now in sight, Cape Villaret 

 being the most northerly point, and bearing E.S.E. 

 some 16 or 17 miles. The hillock upon this cape, 

 and two other hummocks, lying to the southward, 

 formed the only prominent features of the low land 

 in sight. 



At this anchorage the flood tide set E. and by 

 N., from one to one and a half knots per hour. 

 Before weighing I procured a specimen of live coral 

 from the depth of 11 fathoms. 



Light airs, and the aid of the flood tide, carried 

 us into the centre of Roebuck Bay, where we came 

 to an anchor in 7 fathoms. Cape Villaret bearing 

 S. by W. i W. about 10 miles. The fall of the 

 tide here was no less than 18 feet. 



As we closed with the land, I had a good oppor- 

 tunity of speculating upon its appearance, and the 

 probability of our investigation confirming or con- 

 tradicting- the opinion entertained by Captains King 

 and Dampier, that a channel would be found to 

 connect Roebuck Bay with an opening behind Buc- 

 caniers Archipelago, thus making Dampier's Land 

 an island. I confess, my own impressions at first 

 sight diflfered from that of those high authorities, 

 nor did a nearer examination shake my opinion. 

 Cape Villaret, a short ridge lying E. and W., and 

 about 150 feet high, was still the most remarkable 

 object ; the sand on its side having a curious red 

 appearance. From the mast-head the land was not 



