116 THE HEAD OF THE AUSTRALIAN BIGHT 



shore during the night; but just after midnight the 

 lead suddenly gave eighteen fathoms and we let go the 

 anchor. Worn out with the exertions of the past fortnight 

 we all enjoyed the first undisturbed sleep we had been 

 permitted to have since putting to sea. 



At daylight the land was seen to be less than a mile 

 distant, and as it seemed to be accessible, the skiff was 

 put out, and as it would only hold two men, Martin and I 

 entered her and pulled ashore. 



There was a strip of beach at the foot of the cliffs 

 about six yards wide ; but the rocks rose almost per- 

 pendicularly from it ; yet I assayed to climb them. 

 After ascending two hundred feet, I found it impos- 

 sible to go further, and if I had not taken the precau- 

 tion to carry a coil of rope with me, I do not think 

 I should have succeeded in descending without an 

 accident. 



We had no option but to return to the Swan, and 

 coasting along the shore we found, about nine miles to 

 the west, a vast ravine-like gap in the wall of cliffs, which 

 was about five hundred feet high at this spot. There was 

 good anchorage in six fathoms half a mile off this opening, 

 and again landing we made another attempt to reach the 

 country above our heads. 



The gap had been made by extensive falls of a chalk- 

 like formation, and huge blocks, and small fragments, lay 

 piled together in such wild confusion that it was only with 

 difficulty and much exertion that we climbed over and 

 among the crumbling mass. Tangled scrub and large 

 bushes covered the broken rocks below and the sides of 

 the ravine, and we had to cut a way through it. The 

 stronger branches, however, were of great use in assisting 

 us to climb up, and in a couple of hours we had reached 

 the top. Nothing was visible except a few low sand-hills 

 and a dense mallee-scrub. Not a single tree could be 

 seen ; but no very extensive view of the interior of the 

 country was obtained. 



We were in want of water, as no great quantity could 

 be carried on board the Swan, which was but a boat, 



