Kennedy's expedition. 183 



record their names, &c. in the log- book kept there, 

 and by it we found, that with one exception, all 

 this season had taken the Outer Passag-e, and most 

 of them had entered at Raine's Islet, guided by the 

 beacon erected there in 1844, by Captain F. P. 

 Blackwood, of H. M.S. Fly, thus demonstrating' the 

 superior merits of this passage over the other open- 

 ings in the Barrier Reef, and the accuracy of the 

 Fly's survey. 



On October 21st, the long and anxiously looked 

 for vessel from Sydney arrived, bringing our sup- 

 plies, and the letters and news of the last five 

 months. We had for a short time been completely 

 out of bread, peas, and lime juice, and two cases of 

 scurvy had appeared among- the crew. 



It had been arranged that Mr. Kennedy with 

 his expedition should, if possible, be at Cape York 

 in the beginning of October to communicate with 

 us, and receive such supplies and assistance as might 

 be required ; but the month passed away without 

 bringing- any signs of his being in the neighbour- 

 hood. During our progress along the coast a g-ood 

 look out had been kept for his preconcerted signal 

 — three fires in a line, the central one largest — and 

 bush-fires which on two occasions at night assumed 

 somewhat of that appearance had been answered, as 

 agreed on, by rockets sent up at 8 p.m., none of 

 which however were returned. A schooner from 

 Sydney arrived on the 87th with two additions 

 to his party, including a surgeon, also supplies. 



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