we made up our minds to search the islands, and drive the
blacks on to Hinchinbrook, so that one of our parties must stumble
across them when we swept it. This may seem to the reader unnecessary
trouble, but most of our party were conversant with the habits of the
blacks and their limited method of reasoning; and we judged it probable
that the Herbert River gins would have at once acquainted the
Hinchinbrook blacks with our unceremonious visit, and warned them that
we should probably soon look them up also. Now on the receipt of this
unwelcome intelligence, the first thing that would strike the blacks
would be the facilities for concealment afforded by Gould or Garden
Islands, more particularly had they any captives; and they would say to
themselves that we should certainly overlook these two out-of-the-way
little spots; and when we were busy on Hinchinbrook, they could easily
paddle themselves and their prisoners to some of the more distant chain
of islands, where they could lie by until all fear of pursuit was past.
Such was the opinion both of the troopers and of the experienced
bushmen; and as we were fully resolved to leave them no loophole for
escape, we jumped into our boat and pulled gently over to Garden Island.

It was about seven o'clock in the morning when we started, six
strong--four whites, and Cato, and Ferdinand--well armed, and with a
good supply of provisions. The sun was already very hot, and the water
smooth as glass, save where the prow of the boat broke the still
surface into a tiny ripple, which continued plainly visible half a mile
astern. I find it difficult to bring before the reader the thousand
curious objects that met us on our way. The sullen crocodile basking
in the sun, sank noiselessly; a splash would be heard, and a four feet
albicore would fling himself madly into the air, striving vainly to
elude the ominous black triangle that cut the water like a knife close
in his rear. Small chance for the poor fugitive, with the ravenous
shark following silent and inexorable. We lay on our oars and watched
the result. The hunted fish doubles, springs aloft, and dives down,
but all in vain; the black fin is not to be thrown off, double as he
may. Anon the springs become more feeble, the pursuer's tail partly
appears as he pushes forward with redoubled vigour, a faint splash is
heard, the waters curl into an eddy, and the monster sinks noiselessly
to enjoy his breakfast in the cooler depths