ROTTENEST ISLAND. 347 



twenty miles, and extreme of the land to the 

 northward, north-east by compass. The appear- 

 ance of the coast was sterile. On the 23rd, we 

 passed " Cape Leeuwin." When first seen, it 

 had the appearance of a moderately high island, 

 the land connecting it with the main being low, 

 and not at that time visible from the deck. 



On the 26th, we were off " Rottenest Island," 

 which was of a moderate height, and most sterile 

 appearance. The main land was sandy and 

 scrubby : numerous fires were seen where land 

 was clearing. A boat came off* as we were en- 

 deavouring to beat into Gage's roads, and came 

 alongside, with two gentlemen in her. They 

 could furnish us, however, with no news respect- 

 ing the Dutch war, to attain information res- 

 pecting which was the object of our wishing to 

 touch at this place. In reply to our inquiries 

 respecting the state of the new colony, they said 

 it was rapidly progressing. Of the settlements 

 at King George's Sound and Port Augusta, the 

 latter was reported as succeeding better than the 

 former. There had been lately several arrivals 

 with live stock from Hobart Town, and a brig, 

 the " Dart," from Sydney, was then standing 

 in for Gage's roads with a cargo of provision and 

 live stock. Sheep at this period were selling 

 from thirty to forty shillings each ; flour from 



