ioo NORTHMOST AUSTRALIA 



and wimmeras, and who invited them to come ashore ; but the 

 invitation was declined. 



" I directed my course," continues Bligh, " within two small islands [Blue Bell 

 Rocks ? R. L. J.] that lie to the N. [NNW. R. L. J.] of Restoration Island, passing 

 between them and the mainland towards Fair Cape [WEYMOUTH BAY, which extends 

 from Restoration Island to Fair Cape. R. L. J.]. ... I was abreast of it [FAIR CAPE] 

 by 8 o'clock. The coast we passed was high and woody [CARRON RANGE. R. L. J.]. 

 As I could see no land beyond Fair Cape, I concluded that the coast inclined to the 

 NW. and WNW. I therefore steered more towards the W. ; but by 1 1 o'clock at 

 night we met with low land which inclined to the NE. ; and at 3 o'clock in the 

 morning [Sunday, 3ist May], I found that we were embayed [He had met with 

 the promontory of CAPE GRENVILLE, which is the northern limit of TEMPLE BAY, 

 the southern being Fair Cape. R. L. J.], which obliged us to stand back for a short 

 time to the southward." 



When daylight came (Sunday, $ist May), it was found that 

 the aspect of the country had completely changed. 



" There was now," says Bligh, " a low sandy coast, with very little verdure, or 

 anything to indicate that it was at all habitable to a human being, except a few patches 

 of small trees or brushwood [the heathy swamp land, interspersed with sandhills, 

 between the Macmillan River and Temple Bay. R. L. J.]. Many small islands 

 [COCKBURN ISLANDS. R. L. J.] were in sight to the NE., about 6 miles distant. The 

 east part of the main [CAPE GRENVILLE. R. L. J.] bore N., 4 miles, and FAIR CAPE 

 SSE., 5 or 6 leagues. I took the channel between the nearest island and the mainland 

 [CAPE GRENVILLE. R. L. J.] which were all about a mile apart, leaving all the islands 

 on the starboard side. Some of these were very pretty spots, covered with wood and 

 well situated for fishing. Large shoals of fish were about us, but we could not catch 

 any. In passing this strait, we saw another party of INDIANS, seven in number, running 

 towards us, shouting and making signs for us to land. Some of them waved green 

 branches of the bushes which were near them, as a token of friendship ; but some of 

 their other motions were less friendly. A little further off, we saw a larger party, 

 who likewise came towards us. I therefore determined not to land, though I much 

 wished to have had some intercourse with these people. Nevertheless, I laid the boat 

 close to the rocks, and beckoned them to approach ; but none of them would come 

 within 200 yards of us. An island [SUNDAY ISLAND] of a good height [157 feet] bore 

 N. W., 4 miles from us, at which I resolved to land, and from thence to take a look 

 at the coast. At this isle we arrived about 8 o'clock in the morning. The shore 

 was rocky, but the water was smooth, and we landed without difficulty. I sent two 

 parties out, one north and the other south, to seek for supplies, and others I ordered 

 to stay by the boat. On this occasion, fatigue and weakness so far got the better 

 of their sense of duty that some of the people expressed their discontent at having 

 worked harder than their companions, and declared that they would rather be without 

 their dinner than go in search of it. One person in particular went so far as to tell 

 me, with a MUTINOUS LOOK, that he was as good a man as myself. It was not possible 

 for me to judge where this might have an end, if not stopped in time ; therefore, 

 to prevent such disputes in future, I determined either to preserve my command 

 or die in the attempt ; and, seizing a cutlass, I ordered him to take hold of another 

 and defend himself ; on which he called out that I was going to kill him, and 

 immediately made concessions. I did not allow this to interfere further with the 

 harmony of the boat's crew, and everything became quiet." 



The parties collected oysters and clams and a few small fish, 

 and water enough for their requirements. Bligh himself climbed 



