168 HISTOEY OF PREVIOUS DISCOVERIES 



broke about one hundred yards from the shore^ and in 

 the advandng wave one might see thousands of 

 larg-e mullet keeping- tog-ether in a shoal with num- 

 bers of porpoises playing about, making frequent 

 rushes among the dense masses and scattering them 

 in every direction. Such of the men as were fur- 

 nished with the scoop-net waded out in line, and, 

 waiting until the porpoises had driven the mullet 

 close in shore, rushed among the shoal, and, closing 

 round in a circle with the nets nearly touching, 

 secured a number of fine fish, averaging two and a 

 half pounds weight. This was repeated at intervals 

 until enough had been procured. Meanwhile others, 

 chiefly boys, were at work with their spears, darting 

 them in every direction among the fish, and on the 

 best possible terms with the porpoises, which were 

 dashing about among their legs, as if frilly aware 

 that they would not be molested. 



On May S6th, we sailed from Moreton Bay ;— but, 

 before entering into the details of this, the most inte-^ 

 resting portion of the Voyage of the Rattlesnake, a 

 brief but connected account of the progress of dis- 

 covery on the south-east coast of New Guinea, and 

 the Louisiade Archipelago, will enable the reader 

 more clearly to perceive the necessity then existing for 

 as complete a survey of these shores and the adjacent 

 seas as would enable the voyager to approach them 

 with safety. A glance at any of the published 

 charts will show a vague outline of coast and islands 

 and reefs, with numerous blanks — a compilation 



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