COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
209 
tide for some extent, it is also shoal some dis- 
tance to the northward, as our boat had only 
four feet in passing over it. In the afternoon, 
as there was every appearance of fine weather 
and no likelihood of a breeze, Mr. Baskerville 
and Mr. Cunningham set off in a boat to visit 
Repulse Point, in order to make what observa- 
tions they could upon the further trend of the 
land; but no sooner had they left the vessel 
than a breeze sprung up and freshened to a gale 
in which our cable parted ; and, as there was no 
chance of dropping another anchor with a pros- 
pect of recovering it, we were obliged to return 
to our former anchorage in Goodenough Bay ; 
but, owing to the tide being contrary, the brig 
did not reach it until nearly sunset. Our alarm 
and anxieties were now raised to a great pitch 
for the safety of Mr. Baskerville and his compa- 
nions: signals of recal had been hoisted, and 
several guns fired before the cable parted, but 
the boat was too far off to notice either : as soon 
as it was dark, signal guns were fired and 
port fires burnt every ten minutes, to guide its 
return. 
Happily these signals at last had the desired 
effect, for at ten o’clock the boat came along- 
side. Mr. Baskerville had failed in reach- 
ing Repulse Point, but obtained some useful 
Voh. ii. p 
1S22. 
FebTH. 
