514 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [September 



On Wednefday the 31ft, they got under weigh with the weather 

 tide, and beat out of the river. Having palled fifteen days in Glafs- 

 Houfe Bay, Mr. Flinders was enabled to form his judgment of it. It 

 was fo full of fhoals, that he could not attempt to point out any paf- 

 fage that would lead a fliip into it without danger. The eaft fide of 

 the Bay had not been founded ; if any exifted, it would probably be 

 found on that fide. 



Mr. Flinders' s next place of deftination was Hervey's Bay, which 

 he reached in two days, and where he remained till the 7th ; during 

 which time he had failed round the interior of it, but without being 

 able to enter any opening that might have led him to a river. 



Having cleared the point of Break-fea Spit, on Thurfday the 18th 

 he proceeded on his return to Port Jackfon. PafTing the land between 

 Smoky Cape and the Solitary Ifles in the day, which had before been 

 paffed in the night, he obferved that it feemed to be higher than moft 

 parts of its coaft in the neighbourhood, Mount Warning excepted ; 

 and even there it was not fo high near the more. The view that Mr. 

 Flinders had of the land at fun-fet, when Smoky Cape bore S. 25° W. 

 diftant five or fix leagues, induced him to think it probable that there 

 might be an opening to the northward of it. 



In the afternoon of the 1 8th, there being but little wind, and the 

 weather fine, they were attended by feveral very large fpermaceti 

 whales. Thefe were not more than twice the (loop's length from her, 

 coming upon either fide, at times very near her, and remained play- 

 ing, or perhaps feeding in this way, for more than two hours. 



Their appearance was followed in the evening by a gale from the; 

 S* W. which, reduced them to their ftorm fails, and compelled them 

 to keep off and on during the night. The wind, however, moderat- 

 ing the next day, Mr. Flinders concluded his labours at dufis in the. 

 evening of the 20th ; at which time he fecured his little vefTel along- 

 fide his Majefty's fhip the Reliance in Port Jackfon.„ 



