COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
197 
the lee of the point, where Dampier describes 
his having anchored in twenty-nine fathoms clear 
sandy ground ; but, upon rounding the projection, 
the wind suddenly fell, and, after a light squall 
from S.W., we had a dead calm ; the depth was 
thirty fathoms coral bottom, and therefore not 
safe to anchor upon ; this was unfortunate, for 
the sudden defection of the wind prevented our 
hauling into the bay out of the tide, which was 
evidently running with considerable rapidity, 
and drifting us, without our having the means of 
preventing it, towards a cluster of small rocks 
and islands, through which we could not discover 
any outlet, and which were so crowded, that in 
the dangerous predicament in which we found our- 
selves placed, they bore a truly awful and terrific 
appearance. At this time I was at my usual 
post, the mast-head, directing the steerage of the 
vessel; but, as the brig was drifting forward 
by a rapid sluice of tide towards some low 
rocks, about a quarter of a mile off, that were 
not more than two feet above the water’s edge, 
and upon which it appeared almost inevitable that 
we must strike, I descended to the deck, under 
the certain conviction that we could not escape 
the. dangers that were strewed across our path, 
unless a breeze should spring up, of which there 
was not the slightest appearance or probability. 
1822 . 
Feb. 8. 
