378 PORT ESSINGTON. 



Expectation was on tip-toe as we were fast 

 approacliing- Port Essington, feeling naturally 

 anxious to see what progress had heen made at the 

 new settlement, and to learn the fate of the expe- 

 dition. There was, however, nothing striking in the 

 first appearance of the land, a low woody shore ; the 

 most remarkable object being a sandy islet, with a 

 tree in its centre, about a mile east of Point 

 Smith, the eastern point of Port Essington : Vashon 

 Head formino- the western. 



o 



As we drew near, a boat came alongside belonging 

 to H. M. S. Britomart. From Mr. Pascoe we heard 

 that the Alligator had just sailed for Sydney, leaving 

 the former to await her return at Port Essington. 

 The people forming the settlement had been very 

 healthy, bearing out Dr. Wilson's account of 

 Raffles Bay ; and had found the natives exceedingly 

 well disposed. For this advantage we are indebted 

 to the excellent judgment displayed by the unfor- 

 tunate* Captain Barker, late Commandant of Raffles 



* This expression may to some of our readers require explana- 

 tion, and we theriefore quote a brief extract from Dr. Wilson's 

 voyage round the world, p. 284. — " In obedience to orders from 

 tlie Colonial Government, he was examining the coast in the 

 vicinity of Encounter Bay, principally with the view of ascertain- 

 ing whether any available communication existed between the 

 river Murray (lately discovered by Captain Sturt) and the sea. 

 While in the execution of this duty, he was barbarously murdered 

 by the natives, and his body thrown into the sea." In " Sturt's 

 two Expeditions," vol. ii. p. 239, a detailed narrative of this 

 tragedy is given. 



