WesseVs Islands.] TERRA AUSTRALIS. 34' 
wind ward before dark, and therefore steered for an opening between isos, 
the two outer islands. There were strong ripplings and whirlpools Friday' ss. 
of tide at the entrance of the opening, with very variable soundings 
between 5 and 16 fathoms ; and finding we could not get through in 
time, the sun being then near the horizon, an anchor was dropped 
near a small beach on the north side, in 4 fathoms, out of the set of 
the tides. 
Next morning I landed on the northern island, to take bearings Saturday 29. 
and search for water, and the boat’s crew had axes to cut some fire 
wood. Four or five Indians made their appearance, but as we ad- 
vanced they retired ; and I therefore left them to themselves, having 
usually found that to bring on an interview with the Australians, it 
was best to seem careless about it. A Malay prow had been thrown 
on the beach, and whilst the boat’s crew was busied in cutting up the 
wreck for fuel, the Indians approached gradually, and a friendly 
intercourse took place ; but as no water could be found, and time 
was more precious than the company of these people, they were 
presented with our axes after the work was done, and we got under 
way soon after ten o’clock. 
Phis island appears to be the outermost of the chain called 
Wessel’s Islands, which extend thirteen leagues in a north-east direc- 
tion from the main land near Point Dale. It seemed to be eight or 
nine miles in length, by about five in breadth ; the southern part is 
sandy and sterile, but some trees are produced; and I saw kanguroos 
of a small kind, too lean to be worth the pursuit their shyness re- 
quired. The natives are of the same colour and appearance as in 
other parts of Terra Australis, and go equally naked; their presence 
here showed the south end of the island to be not wholly destitute of 
fresh water; but in the limited search we had time to make, none 
could be found, though traces of torrents denoted the falling of heavy 
rains in some part of the year. The island to the south-west, which 
is ol somewhat greater extent, though less in elevation, had much 
the same appearance. 
Y y 
VOL. II. 
