324 SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1810 . noon, Mr. Roe and Mr. Cunningham accom- 
Oct. 11 . panied me in the whale-boat, to examine the 
bottom of the port ; which was found to termi- 
nate in two inlets, winding under either side 
of a bold prominent range of steep rocky hills, 
thickly clothed with stunted trees. We pulled 
up the south-eastern arm; and, having proceeded 
as far as prudence allowed, for from not calcu- 
lating upon being absent long we had brought 
no provisions, we returned on board with the 
intention of examining it further on the following 
day. In rowing back, a kangaroo was seen 
skipping over the hills ; and an alligator was 
lying asleep on the beach, but it rushed into the 
water as we passed the spot. 
12. The next day Mr. Roe, accompanied by Mr. 
Cunningham, explored both arms ; and from his 
report the plan is made: but as they are merely 
salt-water inlets, they are of little importance. 
During the absence of the boat, the state of our 
provisions and water was examined, on both of 
which, as we had anticipated, the rats had made 
considerable havoc ; two of the casks were quite 
empty, from holes gnawed by these animals to 
get at the water ; and several were so short of 
their contents, that we had but a fortnight’s al- 
lowance left : this discovery induced me to deter- 
mine on taking the first opportunity that should 
