North Coast: Torres' Strait.-] INTRODUCTION. 
xxxix 
July 13. A boat was sent to Campbell's Island; but it did not Bampton 
contain either plantations, cocoa-nut trees, or fixed inhabitants. 179 3. ' 
This, as also Stephens' and Nepean's Islands, are mostly low and 
sandy ; and surrounded with extensive reefs, upon which, it was 
thought, the Indians pass from one island to the other, at low water. 
In the afternoon, the ships proceeded to the westward ; but meet- 
ing with many reefs, they hauled more to the north, and discovered 
Bristow Island, lying close to the coast of New Guinea. Their 
attempts to find a passage here, were fruitless ; and after incurring 
much danger, and the Chesterfield getting aground, they returned 
to their former anchorage, in the evening of July 21. The banks, 
reefs, and lands, seen during these eight days, will be found marked 
in Plate XIII. 
Two canoes immediately came off from Stephens' Island ; and 
one of the natives remained on board the Hormuzeer till eight 
o'clock. He seemed to be without fear ; and when inquiry was 
made after the lost boat and people, he pointed to a whale boat, and 
made signs that such an one had been at Darnley's Island ; and that 
six of the people were killed.* Many presents were made to this 
man ; and he was clothed, and sent on shore in one of the boats. 
prehensile. Eyes, reddish brown : red when irritated. No visible ears. Used its paws 
in feeding : five nails to each. Habit, dull and slothful ; not savage. Food, maize, 
boiled rice, meat, leaves, or any thing offered. Odour, very strong at times, and dis- 
agreeable. 
* Captain Hill and four of the seamen were murdered by the natives. Messieurs 
Shaw and Carter were severely wounded ; but with Ascott, the remaining seaman, they 
got into the boat, cut the grapnel rope, and escaped. They were without provisions or 
compass ; and it being impossible to reach the ships, which lay five leagues to windward, 
they bore away to the west, through the Strait; in the hope of reaching Timor. On the 
tenth day, they made land ; which proved to be Timor -laoet. They there obtained some 
relief to their great distress ; and went on to an island called by the natives, Sarrett; 
where Mr. Carter died : Messieurs Shaw and Ascott sailed in a prow, for Banda, in the 
April following. See Collins' Account of the English Colony in Neiv South Wales. 
Vol. I. page 464, 465. 
