<324 
JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE &,C. 
sandy beach, from which low rocks frequently protrude, and which 
is the seaward face of an alluvial plain that extends far inland. In 
the afternoon we entered the bight. As we proceeded, rocks were 
seen extending a long way out from T. Tabal. The water gradual¬ 
ly shoaled from 6 to 2 fathoms until we arrived within the line 
of rocks, when, none of the Malays on board being sufficiently 
acquainted with the locality, it was found necessary to anchor and 
send the sampan ahead, to sound for the channel leading into the 
river. We had not been anchored long when the cable sudden¬ 
ly snapt, and we commenced rapidly drifting out. The men im¬ 
mediately took to the oars and pulled towards the place where we 
had been anchored, but the tide ran out with such strength that 
we continued to lose ground. The Sevang now returned in the sam¬ 
pan in great consternation, for it appeared the gun boat only carried 
one anchor. I proposed that we should send the sampan in to get 
a pilot. The Jaragan, although desirous of returning at once to 
Tatijong Lompatan where he said he had seen a piece of wood that 
seemed adapted for an anchor, at last consented, and the sampan was 
despatched into the river, while we hoisted sail and stood out to 
avoid the risk of being caught by a squall between the rocks and the 
beach. We stood of and on, impatiently waiting the return of the 
sampan, till it became dark, when we were obliged to keep to the 
southward of T. Mantigf, and at a greater distance from the shore. 
Hour after hour passed, and the whole night wore through watching 
for the sampan in vain. 
(To be continued) 
