ACCIDENT TO MR. FITZMAURICE. 323 



miles in extent ; with a width of nearly a quarter 

 of a mile, growing gradually shallower towards the 

 outer part, and, ultimately, hecoming lost in the great 

 flat fronting the shore, which is thrown out in pro- 

 portion to the length of the channel, beyond which 

 the bar extends for above a mile. Part of its inner 

 side, however, is intersected by a narrow channel 

 of thirteen and seventeen feet; the guide through 

 which, is the eastern edge of the clump of trees 

 before mentioned, bearing S. 45° W. The Albert is 

 navigable, for vessels of a draught suited to the bar, 

 thirteen miles ; and within five of where the water is 

 fresh. 



After observing the latitude, we took advantage of 

 the afternoon's lull to make the best of our way to 

 the ship, which we met under weigh, running down 

 towards us ; Mr. Parker, the master, having become 

 anxious at our lengthened absence. 



In the evening and next morning, we got more 

 soundings off the mouth of the river ; and found 

 that there was only six feet at low water springs, a 

 mile and a quarter outside the bar. We afterwards 

 carried a line along the south-eastern shore of the 

 gulf; and at noon, on the 9th, anchored off Van Die- 

 men's Inlet, where I had arranged to meet Mr. 

 Fitzmaurice's party. 



The whale-boat was soon seen hastening from 

 the shore without the yawl, which made us suspect 

 all was not right ; and I was much distressed to 

 hear that Mr. Fitzmaurice had been seriously 



Y 2 



