88 LEAVE THE RIVER. 



channel with muddy bank. On one of these, at a 

 sudden bend, we came on a flock of brown and white 

 ducks, and wounded one, but after a vain chase over 

 a mud bank, from which we had some difficulty in 

 extricating ourselves, we gave him up. Our channel 

 now got broader and deeper, and eventually led us 

 out into the southern bight, where, about 2 p.m., 

 we anchored under Entrance Hill. This bight was 

 now a mere tract of mud banks, with shallow chan- 

 nels, and it is doubtful whether we could have 

 found one deep enough to allow of our boat passing 

 out at low water. After a walk over the hill where 

 I shot some common blue mountain parrots, and a 

 fine grey and white eagle, we dined, and awaited the 

 ceasing of the flood- tide, which was running past us 

 at the rate of four or five knots an hour. At 10 

 p.m., this having ceased, we went down to the outer 

 point, where we anchored for the night. 



May 15. — At daylight the water was quite 

 smooth, with a light air of wind off the land. We 

 took advantage of it accordingly, and pulled out, a 

 slight swell only marking the place of the usual 

 heavy breakers at the edge of the bank. We then 

 hoisted sail, and lay up the bay with a land wind, 

 which, as the sun rose, gradually drew round by the 

 south, heading us off continually, till we had the 

 usual strong south-east breeze. By this time, how- 

 ever, we were far enough into the bay to fetch the 

 ship, which we reached about 10 a.m. 



May 16. — The pinnace was launched this morn- 



