LOG OF ME. SIMPSON. 255 



May Srd. — During- the nig^ht moderate breeze 

 from the south with light showers. At five a.m., 

 Captain Sampson came along-side, he wishing- to 

 join our painty, and visit the camp. Having- well 

 manned and armed the large whaleboat, pulled on 

 shore, and landed at the entrance of a small river, 

 on a little sand patch, the place having been pointed 

 out by Jackey ; it was the only clear landing-place 

 I saw. A dense mangrove swamp extended some 

 distance beyond high water mark. We had no 

 sooner landed than the rain fell in torrents, and 

 continued for three hours, so much so that we could 

 not load our guns. It was about high water when 

 we landed, and in the mangrove scrub through 

 which we had to go, the water was nearly up to our 

 waists. We had, therefore, no alternative but to 

 remain patiently until the tide fell, and the rain 

 ceased. 



On searching the place where we landed, part of 

 a blanket was found, marked ^s°, a part of a 

 tarpaulin, a piece of canvass, apparently a portion of 

 a tent, and a small tin-dish, with a name scratched 

 on its back. These ai'ticles were evidently part of 

 the pillage from the camp. A little way up the 

 creek we found three canoes, very rudely made, 

 with outriggers on both sides. We searched and 

 found some small pieces of iron, which we took, 

 being also pillage from the exploring party. At 

 ten A.M., less rain, got some of our pieces blown off 

 with difficulty, the}^ being drenched with rain. 



