COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
35 
about, was running a dangerous risk, and this 1 ^' 
was increased by encountering a severe squall Feb ' 23, 
of wind from the S.E., which blew so insuf- 
ferably hot, that the thermometer stood at 89°, 
having been at 91°, all the previous day. The 
next morning it was calm and sultry; at ten 24# 
o’clock we anchored near a small sandy isle, 
in the centre of the bay, until the sea-breeze set 
in, which was taken immediate advantage of; 
and, after weighing, the course was directed to- 
wards a steep rocky head., forming the S. W . point 
of an island, subsequently called Enderby Island, 
after a very old and valued friend. On our 
way we had to pass round a sandy islet and a 
rocky reef of considerable extent ; after which, 
we anchored off a sandy beach to the eastward 
of Rocky Head. 
Soon after anchoring, the sky became black 
and clouded over the land to the S.E., and as- 
sumed a very threatening appearance; heavy, 
dense clouds, in which streams of vivid forked- 
lightning momentarily appeared, were rolling ra- 
pidly towards us, and made us fear a repetition 
of last night’s storm ; the stream-anchor, the only 
resource we had, was therefore dropped ; and, 
with the topmast struck, we awaited the bursting 
of the storm with much anxiety, and just cause 
of alarm for the safety of the vessel : the clouds 
D 2 
