Towards Hervey's Bay.~\ TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
7 
first rendezvous, and proceed to the next before we could join iso?, 
him, deterred me from attempting it with the Investigator or with Tuesday 27. 
boats. 
Upon the north side of the opening there was a number of 
Indians, fifty as reported, looking at the ship, and near Double- 
island Point ten others had been seen, implying a more numerous 
population than is usual to the southward. I inferred from hence, 
that the piece of water at the head of Wide Bay was extensive and 
shallow ; for in such places the natives draw much subsistence from 
the fish which there abound, and are more easily caught than in deep 
water. So far as could be seen from the mast head at three or four 
miles oft, the water extended about five miles westward, to the feet 
of some hills covered with small wood. Its extent north and south 
could not be distinguished, and it seemed probable that one, and 
perhaps two streams lall into it ; for there were many large medusas 
floating at the entrance, such as are usually found near the mouths 
of rivers in this country. 
We passed the shoals of Wide Bay in from 12 to 5 fathoms 
water ; and steered northward at the distance of six, and from that 
to two miles off the shore, until dark. Captain Cook describes this 
part of the coast as moderately high and very barren ; there being 
great patches of moveable sand many acres in extent, through which 
appeared in some places the green tops of trees half buried, and in 
others the naked trunks of such as the sand had destroyed. We 
sailed some miles nearer to it than the Endeavour had done, and 
saw extensive, bare patches in many parts ; but nothing to indicate 
the sands being moveable ; and in general, there were shrubs, 
bushes, and some trees scattered over the hills in front of the sea. 
Nothing however can well be imagined more barren than this penin- 
sula ; but the smokes which arose from many parts, corroborated 
the remark made upon the population about Wide Bay ; and be- 
spoke that fresh water was not scarce in this sandy country. 
Our course at night was directed by the fires on the shore. 
