BATHURST ISLAND. 167 



these beautiful coves for the night, but as there was 

 still two hours' daylight, we pushed on across the 

 bay for a group of islands three miles further in 

 a north-north-east direction. We obtaned snug- 

 quarters for the night in a little sandy cove, between 

 the largest of this small cluster of isles which we 

 found to differ totally in shape and character from 

 any yet seen ; they trended N.N.W. in narrow 

 ridoes, and were of a grev slate formation, their 

 eastern sides formed steep precipices, while the 

 western subsided to the water in rich grassy slopes, 

 leaving quite a serrated ridge on their summits. 

 We managed to reach the most elevated part of the 

 highest island, by crawling along its ridge on our 

 hands and knees. From this station I recognized 

 the islands to the N.W. to be those forming the 

 eastern shore of Sunday Strait, and from the 

 westerly trend of some larger ones bearing N.E. 

 about eight miles, I rightly supposed them to be the 

 same Captain King had laid down off that part of 

 the coast, where it trends away to the eastward into 

 Collier Bay ; the largest of these I in consequence 

 named Bathurst Island, after his vessel. We were 

 glad to find the islands becoming less numerous, and 

 a prospect of at last making our way to the east- 

 ward. We just finished our observations, as the 

 sun's bright orb touched the distant horizon, and 

 ere we reached the boat, the last vestige of day had 

 taken its silent flight. Our present position in this 

 net-work of islands, will be better described by 

 giving it in latitude and longitude, which we found 



