126 
A VOYAGE TO 
[North Coast. 
1802. lie along the shore. On its falling calm toward sunset, we anchored 
SatuXy 6 6. in io fathoms, soft mud, three or four miles from the coast ; the ex- 
tremes bearing N. 49 0 E. and S. 2 0 W. A light air came off the land 
Sunday 7. at four in the morning, and at daylight we again steered southward ; 
but in two hours the wind died off', and an anchor was dropped in 9 
fathoms. There was a small opening at E. 5 0 S., about three miles ; 
and the botanical gentlemen being desirous of seeing the productions 
of this part of the country, the whale boat was lowered down, and 
we went to examine the inlet. 
On approaching the entrance, a canoe, or something like one, 
passed and repassed from the north to the south side, the rower using 
both hands to the paddle like the natives of Murray’s Islands. We 
had a good deal of difficulty to get in, on account of the shoals ; the 
channel amongst them being narrow and winding, and not more than 
nine to twelve feet deep. On the north side was a party of natives, 
and Bongaree went on shore to them, naked and unarmed ; but al- 
though provided with spears, they retreated from him, and all our 
endeavours to bring about an interview were unsuccessful. It was 
not safe for the gentlemen to botanise in presence of these suspicious 
people ; and therefore we rowed a mile higher up, to a green looking 
point on the same side, and landed about noon. The depth thus far, 
was 2 fathoms ; and I could see two-and-half miles further up the 
inlet to the E. S. E., where it turned more southward, round a 
woody point; and from the strength of the tide, probably extended 
some miles into the country. 
Whilst the botanists where making their examination and I 
walked along the shore to shoot some birds, several voices were 
heard in the wood, as of people advancing towards us ; and there 
being too much opportunity here to creep on secretly, we assembled 
and retired into the boat, to wait their approach. A sea breeze had 
then set in ; and the Indians not appearing, we rowed back to the 
first place, where the country was open ; and the gentlemen botanised 
whilst centinels kept watch on the sandy hillocks. 
