March 1830. inpran cOVE-——SYMPIESOMETER. 49} 
for a vessel arriving from sea. We found an empty North- 
American cask, apparently left that season: on a height near 
the cove there was a pile of stones we had not time to examine: 
and much wood appeared to have been cut down lately by the 
crew of some vessel. We saw several wigwams, but no Indians. 
That night we stopped near the S.W. point of the sound, 
close to Gold-dust Island. 
* 23d. After examining the cove, in which we passed the 
night, and taking observations, we crossed Duff Bay, towards 
Leading Hill. I wished to have seen more of a promising bay 
on the east side of Morton Island, where I thought there was 
good anchorage, but could not afford time, as it was probable 
that we should be delayed in our return along this exposed 
part of the coast against the prevailing winds. There is a con- 
siderable tide between Morton Isle and the point next to Gold- 
dust Isle. The flood comes from the westward, about one 
knot, or at times two knots, an hour. With the ebb it is nearly 
slack water, or perhaps there is a slight tendency towards the 
west ; and such appears to be the case all alon g this coast, from 
Christmas Sound. We reached Leading Hill late in the after- 
noon, although the wind had increased much and was directly 
against us: at night it blew a gale from the westward. 
“¢ 24th. A strong gale prevented our moving, or making any 
beneficial use of our time. 
“ 25th. Still blowing very fresh; but I thought we could pull 
_ round into the next bay, and there do some good by planning 
the-harbour, &c., although we might get no farther for some 
days. From the season, the state of the sympiesometer, and the 
appearance of the weather, I did not expect any favourable 
change until about the end of the month. The sympiesometer 
was my constant companion : I preferred it to a barometer, as 
being much more portable and quicker in its motions. By-great 
exertion on the part of the men, for it required five hours’ hard 
pulling, we got round a headland into the next bay, a dis- 
tance of only four miles. It rained great part of the time, and 
in the afternoon poured steadily, but we succeeded in finding 
a sheltered spot for our lodging, and soon put ourselves into 
