166 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1819. as at one time to endanger the boat’s upsetting , 
Mayio. but fortunately we escaped with only the loss of 
an oar ; after contending for some time against 
the tide, which was ebbing with great strength, 
we landed on the south side ; when we were met 
by five natives, who had been watching us all the 
morning, and had not been backward in their 
invitations and entreaties for us to land. At 
first they kept aloof until approached by Lieu- 
tenant. Oxley, whom they soon recognised : after 
a short interview, in which they appeared to place 
the greatest confidence in all our movements, we 
ascended the hill to observe the channel over the 
bar ; the water of which was so clear, that the 
deepest part was easily seen. As this was the 
principal object, we did not delay longer on shore 
than was necessary, and upon our return sounded 
the depth of water upon the bar and in the chan- 
nel, the particulars of which are detailed upon the 
plan of the harbour. 
n The next morning the two vessels were warped 
into the port ; and, by eleven o’clock, were an- 
chored within a few yards of the south shore, and 
secured to trees near the beach, close to a fresh 
water stream which ran into the sea. 
12. The following day we pulled three or four 
miles up the river; on the way up two na- 
tives were seen in a canoe, but on our ap 
