144 



AND Cape 



FtATTERY. 



NEW HOLLAND. 



avenue along the ftem, leading to a retreat formed at the root 

 of fome tree, but not the fame with that which holds their 

 pendulous nefts. This is made of earth, and is about fix feet 



high. 

 Cape Bedford A LITTLE to the noTth of Endeavour nvQY ^vc cape Bedford 

 and cape Flattery \ off them is a clufterof fmall ifles, and moft 

 numerous reefs. Let me here acquaint the reader of the very 

 perilous fituation of our illuftrious feaman, during his three 

 months navigation. He failed all that time in a channel bounded 

 by the land on one fide, and to the feaward by a reef of rocks, 

 or coral banks, not lefs tremendous, extending the length of 

 three hundred and fixty leagues. Within this reef he was 

 obliged to anchor at night, with the thunder of the furge foam- 

 ing over it ; expecting inevitable deftrudtion from the breaking 

 of the cables, or from the driving of the fliip, which llie often 

 did to a certain degree. The man at the chains was perpetu- 

 ally heaving out the lead, without omitting it a moment ; and 

 under fuch circumftances did our navigator efcape. It was na- 

 tural for him to willi to enjoy the open fea ; foon after he left 

 Endeavour river, by afcending a lofty ifle, he faw the opening 

 in the reef in Lat. 14° 8', which with confummate abilities and 

 courage he attempted, and with fuccefs. The inftant he got 

 beyond. the breakers, he met with a rolling fea, and no ground 

 with a hundred and fifty fathoms of line ; a certainty he had 

 obtained his wifli. The illand from which he had made his 

 obfervation, was one of the three called the illands oiDireclion^ 

 that ftrangers in future might find the paffage. 



* New 



