ENTER A SHELTERED BIGHT. 225 



the edge of a large sand-bank and mud-flat, stretch- 

 ing between us and the opening. On the windward 

 point of this sand-spit were heavy breakers. As it 

 would have been difficult to weather those before 

 dark, we determined to bear away for the next 

 opening, which was now about two miles to leeward 

 or north-west of us. Into this we carried four 

 fathoms water, and soon after entering found our- 

 selves in a very snug bight, sheltered from the 

 wind, and with smooth water. Here we anchored, 

 in order to eat the dinner we had cooked at the 

 sandy point. We took up a berth about 200 yards 

 from the shore, in case of accidents, and directly 

 after we came to, a native shewed himself at the 

 point, armed with bow and arrows, and was shortly 

 joined by another. They stood looking at us for 

 some time, till the first one raised his bow and let 

 fly an arrow at us, which dropped just ahead of the 

 boat. "Freathy," said Captain Blackwood to the 

 coxswain, " take my rifle ; don't hit that fellow, 

 mind, but just fire a ball into that bunch of bush 

 over his head." They took no notice of the flash 

 or smoke, but an instant afterwards bobbed their 

 heads, as if they heard the ball ringing over them, 

 and immediately bolted into the bush. The water, 

 although still four fathoms deep, and within view of 

 the open sea, was only very slightly brackish, quite 

 as pleasant to the taste as much of the water drank 

 in the interior of Australia. 



After having dined we proceeded up this bight, 



VOL. I. Q 



