78 
A VOYAGE TO 
[ East Coast. 
iso2. We got under way again in the morning ; but the wind being 
Wednes. 29. light and unfavourable, and the tide adverse, I went off in the whale 
boat, accompanied by Messrs. Brown and Westall, to examine the 
passage between the rocky islets and No. 2, directing lieutenant 
Fowler to follow with the ship when the signal should be made. 
We first landed at the islets, where the same kind of pine as seen at 
Port Bowen and other places, was abundant; and leaving the two 
gentlemen there, I sounded the passage, which was a mile and a half 
wide, with a sandy bottom of 8 to 13 fathoms deep, and sheltered 
from all eastern winds. The signal was then made to the ship; and 
so soon as she was brought to anchor, I went to examine a little 
cove, or basin, into which the height of the surrounding hills gave 
expectation of finding a run of fresh water. The entrance is little 
more than wide enough for the oars of a rowing boat, the basin, 
within side, is mostly dry at low water, and the borders are over-run 
with the tiresome mangrove ; but when the tide is in, it is one of the 
prettiest little places imaginable. In searching round the skirts, 
between the mangroves and feet of the hills, a torrent-worn gully 
was found with several holes of water ; and one in particular, near 
the edge of the mangroves, where, by cutting a rolling way for the 
casks, the holds of the two vessels might be filled ; and at a beach 
without side of the entrance to the basin, several hauls of the seine 
were made with good success. 
Thurs. 30. Early next morning, lieutenant Fowler landed with a party of 
men prepared to cut through the mangroves ; but fresh water was 
discovered to ooze out from amongst them, much below high-water 
mark ; and by digging in the sand at half ebb, our casks might be 
filled more easily, and with better water than in the gully. Whilst 
this duty was going on, the carpenters were sent to cut fire wood 
and pine logs upon the rocky islets, the botanical gentlemen followed 
their pursuits where it best pleased them, and my time was occupied 
in surveying. From ar hill near the head of the basin, I took bear- 
ings of all the objects to the south and westward ; amongst which, 
