104 REACH THE SEA. 



sounding, no impediment occurred after passing the 

 sands extending off Observation Island, as a fine deep 

 channel of six and eight fathoms followed the 

 western side of Quoin Island, and the long sand 

 stretchino- off its north end. When we had cleared 



o 



this the anchor w^as dropped in eight fathoms, 

 and the boats were again employed in sounding. 



That the Beagle was once more anchored outside 

 all the banks — to have touched on any of which, 

 with the great strength of the tides that hurried us 

 along would have been fatal — was a great relief to 

 all of us, especially to me, in whom Captain Wick- 

 ham had placed so much confidence as to trust the 

 ship to my guidance, whilst exposed to the dangers 

 I have mentioned. 



December 4. — Moved the ship within three 

 miles and a half of the south extreme point of the 

 river, the highest part bearing S. 40° W. A party 

 of us visited it, and, from a rather extraordinary 

 sight we there beheld, it was called Turtle Point. 

 Behind some very low scattered sand-hills that form 

 it, fronting a mangrove flat, we beheld great 

 numbers of dead turtle, that seemed to have re- 

 paired thither of their own accord to die. They 

 were lying on their bellies, with their shells for the 

 most part uninjured, though some were turned over, 

 and shewed other signs of visits from the natives. 

 A few skeletons of a large bustard* were also seen 

 there, so that the place had quite the appearance of 



* A specimen of one of them was brought away and deposited 

 in the Museum at Sydney. 



