In the boat.-] TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
315 
CHAPTER II. 
Departure from Wreck-Reef Bank in a boat. Boisterous weather. The 
coast of New South Wales reached, and followed. Natives at Point 
Look-out. Landing near Smoky Cape; and again near Port Hunter. 
Arrival at Port Jackson on the thirteenth day. Return to Wreck 
Reef with a ship and two schooners. Arrangements at the Bank. 
Account of the reef, with nautical and other remarks. 
August 2 6, the largest cutter being ready for her expedition, isos, 
was launched and named the Hope. The morning was fine, and wind Friday 26. 
light from the southward; and notwithstanding the day, which in ^ 
the seaman’s calendar is the most unfortunate of the whole week to 
commence a voyage, I embarked for Port Jackson with the com- 
mander of the Cato. We had a double set of rowers, making in all 
fourteen persons, with three weeks provisions and two half ^hogs- 
heads of water ; so that the Hope was loaded rather too deeply. At 
eight in the morning, we pushed off amidst the cheers and good 
wishes of those for whom we' were going to seek relief ; an ensign 
with the union downward, had hitherto been kept hoisted as a signal 
to captain Palmer of our distress ; but in this moment of enthusiasm 
a seaman quitted the crowd, and having obtained permission, ran 
to the flag staff', hauled down the ensign, and rehoisted it with the 
union in the upper canton. This symbolical expression of contempt 
for the Bridgewater and of confidence in the success of our voyage, 
I did not see without lively emotions. 
We made sail to the westward under the lee of the reef, and 
passed two openings in it of nearly a mile wide. The second league 
brought us abreast of a dry sand bank, smaller than that quitted ; 
