THE TRYAL ROCKS. 221 



verted the dividing sea into a beaten track ; and as 

 no further evidence has been brought forward to 

 confirm the reported existence of the Tryal Hocks, 

 asserted to lie directly in the course steered by 

 vessels making this passage, I cannot but adhere to 

 Captain King's opinion, that Tremouille Island and 

 its outlying reefs, situated in the same latitude as that 

 in which the Tryal Rocks are supposed to lie, have 

 originated the mistake ;* one, be it observed, of 

 longitude, in which particular the accounts of earlier 

 navigators must always be received with caution. 



While our return to Swan River was thus baffled 

 and delayed by the long and almost unbroken con- 

 tinuance of foul winds, it afforded some diversion to 

 watch the countenance and conduct of Miao-o, who 

 was as anxious as any one on board for the sight of 

 his native land. He would stand gazing steadily and 

 in silence over the sea, and then sometimes, perceiv- 

 ing that I watched him, say to me, " Miago sing, 

 by and by northern men wind jump up:" then would 

 he station himself for hours at the lee-gangway, and 

 chaunt to some imaginary deity an incantation or 

 prayer to change the opposing wind. I could never 

 rightly learn to whom this rude melody was ad- 

 dressed; for if anyone approached him near enough 

 to overhear the w-ords, he became at once silent; but 

 there was a mournful and pathetic air running 

 throuofh the strain, that rendered it bv no means 



* Subsequent explorations have proved tliis to be the case. 



