COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 283 
the land on the north side, we tacked and stood 1 ^ 
across to the opposite shore. The land in the Sept> 12 ‘ 
bight was visible in patches, as far as south- 
east, and the loom of it as far as south-west: 
three smokes, one bearing south, another S.S.W., 
and another south-west, proved the contiguity of 
the main ; which is so low, that w T hen we were 
very near it was scarcely distinguishable, on 
account of the haze and smoke with which it 
was enveloped. At lOh. 40m. we were about a 
mile and a half from a reef, which was dry for 
more than a mile in extent, and nearer to us 
was a patch of breakers : in standing towards 
these shoals, our soundings had been regular 
between nine and ten fathoms ; but at this time 
they unexpectedly shoaled at one cast, from 
eight to three fathoms: the course was altered 
in time to prevent the cutter’s striking. We 
were now obliged to steer off, and after running 
six miles to the N.W.b.W. ; we steered west 
to observe the latitude, which was found to be 
14° 39' 34" S. The land was now visible 
as far as S.W.b.W. ; five minutes after noon 
the soundings decreased from ten to four 
and three-quarters fathoms ; and, within fifty 
yards of us, the water was rippling upon the 
edge of a shoal, which extends to the north-west 
and is probably dry at low water ; we were then 
