t of ground, which they had reason to believe, from the observations
they were enabled to make, capable of producing every thing, which
a happy soil and genial climate can bring forth. In addition to this
flattering appearance, the face of the country is such, as to
promise success whenever it shall be cultivated, the trees being at
a considerable distance from each other, and the intermediate space
filled, not with underwood, but a thick rich grass, growing in the
utmost luxuriancy. I must not, however, conceal, that in this long
march, our gentlemen found not a single rivulet, but were under a
necessity of supplying themselves with water from standing pools, which
they met with in the vallies, supposed to be formed by the rains that
fall at particular seasons of the year. Nor had they the good fortune to
see any quadrupeds worth notice, except a few kangaroos. To their great
surprize, they observed indisputable tracks of the natives having been
lately there, though in their whole route none of them were to be seen;
nor any means to be traced, by which they could procure subsistence so
far from the sea shore.

On the 6th of May the 'Supply' sailed for Lord Howe Island, to take on
board turtle for the settlement; but after waiting there several days
was obliged to return without having seen one, owing we apprehended to
the advanced season of the year. Three of the transports also, which
were engaged by the East India Company to proceed to China, to take on
board a lading of tea, sailed about this time for Canton.

The unsuccessful return of the 'Supply' cast a general damp on our
spirits, for by this time fresh provisions were become scarcer than in
a blockaded town. The little live stock, which with so heavy an expense,
and through so many difficulties, we had brought on shore, prudence
forbade us to use; and fish, which on our arrival, and for a short time
after had been tolerable plenty, were become so scarce, as to be rarely
seen at the tables of the first among us. Had it not been for a stray
kangaroo, which fortune now and then threw in our way, we should have
been utter strangers to the taste of fresh food.

Thus situated, the scurvy began its usual ravages, and extended its
baneful influence, more or less, through all descriptions of persons.
Unfortunately the esculent vegetable productions of the country are
neither plentiful, nor tend very effectually to remove this disease.
And, the ground we had turned up