COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
29 
was seen just in time to put the helm a-lee, or issi. 
we should have run upon it. 26 . 
The weather was now so thick, that we could 
not see a mile around us ; we were therefore 
obliged to follow our former courses, to avoid 
the risk of running over a strange track in such 
unfavourable weather. At sunset we anchored 
under the lee of Piper’s Islets. The next day 27. 
we anchored under Sunday Island in Margaret 
Bay, at about half a mile from the sandy beach^ 
on its north-west side. 
Here we were detained by bad weather until 
the 30th ; when, with some slight appearance so. 
of improvement, and tired of losing so much 
time, we weighed and proceeded on our course. 
After passing the Bird Isles, thick weather again 
set in, with constant rain, and a strong breeze 
from S.E. Upon reaching Cairncross Island, 
under which it was my intention to anchor, the 
sails were reduced ; and, as we were in the 
act of letting go the anchor, Mr. Roe, who 
was at the mast-head holding thoughtlessly by 
the fore-topmast staysail-halliards, whilst the 
sail was being hauled down, was precipitated 
from a height of fifty feet, and fell senseless on 
the deck. We were now close to the reef; and, 
in the hurry and confusion attending the acci- 
dent, and the Dick at the same time luffing-up 
