THEIR PEACEABLE DISPOSITION. 183 



and the winds have been almost regular in the follow- 

 ing order. From 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. a light breeze 

 from S.S. W. which freshening alters toS.E. where 

 it remains till 8 a.m, from that hour gradually 

 decreasing, and at the same time changing to N.E. 

 and N. The thermometer, for some days past has 

 ranged from 72" to 89° ; a temperature which we 

 thought a few months ago intolerable, was now quite 

 agreeable. 



We looked forward with the utmost anxiety to 

 the result of our arrival at Port George the Fourth, 

 as there, or at least in that neighbourhood, we 

 hoped to hear some tidings of our friends Grey and 

 Lushington, who, when we separated from them at 

 the Cape, intended to land in Hanover Bay, esta- 

 blish a depot for stores, and from thence penetrate 

 if possible into the interior. I had no fear on the 

 subject of any hostility from the natives, for in our 

 own experience, we had as yet always found them 

 inoffensive and peaceable ; while should they prove 

 otherwise, I was satisfied that a very slight acquain- 

 tance with the effects of gunpowder would be quite 

 sufficient to quell their warlike propensities, but 

 I did fear that they had chosen a very unfavourable 

 point for debarkation, and that many causes would 

 combine to arrest their progress into the interior. 

 How unhappily my anticipations were verified, will 

 be seen hereafter. 



Early on the morning of the 3rd, we left our 

 anchorage under Point Cunningham, and by two 



