COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
33 
up for our guidance ; but the weather was so issi. 
squally and thick, with almost constant rain, JuiT" i. 
that it was not seen by us. It was half past 
twelve o’clock when we made sail to the 
N.E.b.E., deepening from fourteen to sixteen 
fathoms, and when the hillocky summit of Cairn- 
cross Island bore S.b.W., beyond which bearing 
we did not know how far we could proceed with 
safety ; we tacked to the S.S.W., and proceeded 
in that direction until the island bore South, 
when we were in fourteen fathoms. Having thus 
ascertained the depth of this space, which was 
about three miles in extent, it was occupied 
during the remainder of the night ; which, being 
very dark and squally, was passed by us in the 
greatest anxiety. At day-dawn we were joined 
by our companions, and, as it was not possible 
from the state of the weather to regain the 
anchors we had lost, made sail towards Turtle 
Island, on our way to which we passed Escape 
River : both of these places reminded us of for- 
mer perils, but the recollection of our provi- 
dential preservation on those occasions, as well 
as on many others during our former voyages, 
increased the grateful feelings which we now 
felt for our safety and protection during the last 
night, the anxieties and circumstances of which 
can never be obliterated from our minds. 
VoL. II. D 
