fore at such
points as might seem to merit attention, and thus to continue to go
northward until our provisions were so far exhausted as to compel us to
return again to the depot; whence I finally proposed to continue my
examination to the portion of the coast left unvisited to the southward
of the depot, as far as Gantheaume Bay.

Several of the individuals who were to compose my party being now much
experienced in the difficulties that attend explorations both on the
coast and in the interior of the country, I felt that our enterprise was
not so hazardous as at first it might appear to be, especially as Mr.
Hutt had arranged with me as to a spot, to which, in the event of our not
returning to Swan River within a certain period the Colonial schooner
would be sent to look for us; and moreover the captain of another
American whaler had promised to visit North-West Cape at the end of July,
as it was his intention to remain in Exmouth Gulf during the season of
the bay fishing. We had thus two chances of being discovered in case of
any accident preventing us from effecting our previous return to the Swan
River.

The unfortunate occurrence which frustrated my expectations of completing
this design, and which threatened the eventual destruction of the whole
party, will be narrated in its place.

FROM SWAN RIVER FOR SHARK BAY.

I had taken three whale-boats in order to have a spare one should any
accident reduce the number; and everything being arranged I sailed in the
Russel from Fremantle on Sunday February the 17th 1839 at 3 P.M. with the
following party:

Mr. Walker, the Surgeon of the former expedition.

Mr. Frederick Smith, the young gentleman who had accompanied me on a
former tour.

Corporal Auger and Corporal Coles, Sappers and Miners.

Thomas Ruston, Sailor.

The last three, together with Mr. Walker, had been with me on the first
expedition, and to these were added:

H. Wood and C. Wood, Seamen.

Clotworthy, Stiles, and Hackney, taken as volunteers at Swan River.

And lastly, Kaiber, an intelligent native of the Swan.

Making in all twelve persons.

Our time during the voyage was occupied principally in getting the three
whale-boats in order and making other similar preparations. Poor Kaiber
the native was dreadfully sick from the first.

Sunday February 24 1839.

This evening we Sighted the centre of Dorre Island, and stood in to
within about two miles of the shore, which we found steep and rock