64 HETUEN TO SYDNEY. 



Upstart on our return to the southwardj working* 

 do^Ti the coast against a strong trade-wind, the Asp 

 keeping in shore to survey the neighhourhood of the 

 coast Kne, imperfectly and erroneously laid down 

 upon the Admiralty chart. We had calms and 

 hght winds with thick rainy weather in the morning. 

 While in Whitsunday Passage, a small bark canoe 

 with two natives came off to within a quarter of a 

 mile of the ship, shouting loudly and making 

 gestures to attract attention, but we did not stop ; 

 in fact, every moment now was precious, as we 

 were upon reduced allowance of water. Soon after 

 noon we anchored in Port MoUe, and next day the 

 Asp was stripped and hoisted inboard. 



Dec. 21st. — Since we left Port MoUe, the winds 

 have been variable from the north^^^ard and east- 

 ward, with calms, and the weather quite unsettled 

 with occasional rain. While nearly becalmed, 

 several opportunities were afforded for dredging 

 from the ship, and many new and curious marine 

 animals were procured. To-day we had the wind 

 from E.S.E., gradually freshening to a moderate 

 gale with the sea getting up, and in the evening it 

 was judged expedient to bear up and run for an 

 anchorage under the largest Keppel's Isle, where 

 we brought up in five and a half fathoms, sand. A 

 fine of breaking water a quarter of a mile to 

 leeward, was afterwards found to be caused by a 

 dangerous reef not indicated upon the chart, where. 



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