March 1830. Indian cove — sympiesometer. 



m 



for a vessel arriving from sea. We found an empty North- 

 American cask, apparently left that season : on a height near 

 the cove there was a pile of stones we had not time to examine: 

 and much wood appeared to have been cut down lately by the 

 crew of some vesseL We saw several wigwams, but no Indians. 

 That night we stopped near the S.W. point of the sound, 

 close to Gold-dust Island. 



" 23d. After examining the cove, in which we passed the 

 night, and taking observations, we crossed DufP Bay, towards 

 Leading Hill. I wished to have seen more of a promising bay 

 on the east side of Morton Island, where I thought there was 

 good anchorage, but could not afford time, as it was probable 

 that we should be delayed in our return along this exposed 

 part of the coast against the prevailing winds. There is a con- 

 siderable tide between Morton Isle and the point next to Gold- 

 dust Isle. The flood comes from the westward, about one 

 knot, or at times two knots, an hour. With the ebb it is nearly 

 slack water, or perhaps there is a slight tendency tov/ards the 

 west ; and such appears to be the case all along this coast, from 

 Christmas Sound. We reached Leading Hill late in the after- 

 noon, although the wind had increased much and was directly 

 against lis : at night it blew a gale from the westward. 



" 24th. A strong gale prevented our moving, or making any 

 beneficial use of our time. 



" 25th. Still blowing very fresh ; but I thought vv^e could pull 

 round into the next bay, and there do some good by planning 

 the harbour, &c., although we might get no farther for some 

 days. From the season, the state of the sympiesometer, and the 

 appearance of the weather, I did not expect any favourable 

 change until about the end of the month. The sympiesometer 

 was my constant companion : I preferred it to a barometer, as 

 being much more portable and quicker in its motions. By great 

 exertion on the part of the men, for it required five hours'* hard 

 pulling, we got round a headland into the next bay, a dis- 

 tance of only four miles. It rained great part of the time, and 

 in the afternoon poured steadily, but we succeeded in finding 

 a sheltered spot for our lodging, and soon put ourselves into 



