10 NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. [Nov. 9, 1857. 
thing was transferred so quickly to her as to enable me to proceed 
to sea on the 30th. 
To avoid the strong south-east wind and constant lee current on 
the south side of the islands, we kept to the north of them, where 
we found an eddy or counter current setting to the east with light 
variable winds, and by taking advantage of the land and sea breezes 
were able to make 20 or 30 miles a day. 
With the purpose of keeping our water filled to the latest oppor- 
tunity, and avoiding the consumption occasioned by a large quantity 
of live stock, I had given the captain leave to purchase provisions 
at Dielli, the chief of the Portuguese settlements on the north coast 
of Timor, where we arrived on the 1st of October, and about 3 p.m. 
anchored in a harbour almost perfectly enclosed by low coral reefs, 
the only other vessel there being a coasting schooner that had been 
45 days in making the same passage as ourselves. We found the 
Portuguese Governor, Don Messada, very kind, and ready to dispense 
with any restriction that could cause delay. Here I purchased five 
horses with the intention of searching for traces of Mr. Gregory 
should he not have visited the rendezvous, and on the 4th October, 
at daybreak, we made sail. We worked our way slowly to the 
east, till we had nearly reached Timor Laut, when we shaped our 
course for Cape Wessel, but, the wind again proving contrary, only 
made Cape Croker on the 19th. 
I had been occupied, with the help of Mr. Phibbs, in fitting 
saddlery to the horses for two riders and three packs, and making side- 
bags proportioned to the load they would be able to carry, and, as 1 
expected light southerly winds in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in prepar- 
ing the longboat to work in advance of the ship from Cape Wessel to 
the Albert River — thus, if it were possible, to communicate with 
Mr. Gregory, to inform him of the approach of the Messenger, and 
prevent his leaving with insufficient supplies. In this I was most 
cordially assisted by Captain Devine, who spent fully a week in 
doing everything that could be thought of to render the boat safe 
and comfortable. 
Contrary winds and a strong current prevented our making much 
progress ; and finding upon trial that the boat sailed faster in light 
winds than the ship, I determined to leave at once. I left instruc- 
tions with the captain respecting the movements of the vessel ; with 
Mr. Flood concerning the management of the party and horses ; 
and with Mr. Graham, mate of the vessel, and Mr. Phibbs, overseer 
of the expedition, both of whom had volunteered for the service, I 
left the Messenger about 6 p.m. on the 23rd, New Year’s Island 
bearing S.S.W. about six miles. We steered S.E. and E.S.E. all 
