thunder-squall from the south-east compelled us to come to anchor one
mile below Sandy Island; a change of wind enabled us to move on to Sandy
Island.

28th October.

At 2 a.m. weighed, and towed the schooner to the upper end of the spit
off Sandy Island, when she grounded, but was warped off at 4; the wind
and tide were now adverse, and we therefore anchored in two fathoms.
There is two fathoms in the channel past Sandy Island, but a reef of
rocks extend from the left bank of the river, which renders it necessary
to keep close to the edge of the shoal off the island.

TOM TOUGH REACHES DEPOT CAMP.

29th October.

At 2 a.m. weighed with the flood, and towed the schooner up the river
about four miles; at 6.30 a light northerly breeze enabled us to stem the
ebb tide, and at 9.40 the schooner was moored at the camp, in two
fathoms, close to the bank. Having obtained a supply of water, I
despatched Mr. Baines, with Phibbs, Shewell, and Dawson, in the gig to
bring up the sheep, the long-boat also going down the river with a crew
from the vessel to bring up the kedge anchor and warp from Alligator
Island, and also to assist in bringing up the sheep. In the evening there
was a fine breeze from the east, and the thermometer fell to 65 degrees
during the night. A few days before our arrival one of the kangaroo dogs
had been seized by an alligator, and instantly drowned. The horses had
been brought to the camp by the ford at Steep Head, and were looking
well.

30th October.

Commenced the erection of a shed to protect the stores, as it is
necessary to land the cargo of the schooner to effect repairs. The
keelson is broken seven feet before the mainmast, three of the deck beams
are broken in the centre, and the knees are strained, and the bolts
drawn; there is also reason to think that the floor timbers are
fractured, and some of the timbers broken in her bends.

31st October.

Messrs. Wilson, Baines, and Mueller, with the party in charge of the
sheep, arrived at 7 a.m., bringing the remainder of the sheep, twenty-six
in number, eleven having been drowned from want of proper care in bailing
the boat, which consequently sunk during the night. Such of the party as
are not otherwise engaged are employed in the erection of the store shed.
Being desirous to examine the river above Steep Head, commenced fitting
the portable boat, but found that the heat of the climate had destroyed
the seams of three of the air cells, and th