CHAPTER SEVENTEEN 



Into the Paciji 



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Hearts and minds grown tired by months of monoto- 

 nous voyaging thrilled anew at the welcome cry. The 

 south-western tip of Australia was coming up over the 

 eastern horizon and the stormy Indian Ocean was 

 astern. 



That evening, with the Meribah lying peacefully at 

 anchor on the calm waters of Two People Bay, Thomas 

 took a boatload of men to a white beach that was com- 

 posed of the powdered bones of a million cuttlefish. 

 Whilst the men stretched their legs he discovered the 

 spring where the captain had said they could find fresh 

 water. Then knowing that this bay was frequently 

 visited by whalers he looked for signs of their visits to this 

 desolate beach; but not a single old cask nor a strand of 

 rope could he find. As he walked back to the boat the 

 reason became only too obvious for the eyes of two black 

 aborigines were peering inquisitively from the trees. He 

 was glad that he had left an armed guard to watch the 

 boat. 



On returning to the ship he reported having found the 

 spring to Captain Galloway and then under the shade of 

 a whaleboat he commenced to record his visit in his 

 diary. 



Hodge's suspicions flared up as soon as he saw that 



